HOLLY SPRINGS — Sharp shooters can now aim and fire safely. A gun range near Holly Springs opened to the public Friday.

Wake County's $3.3 million shooting range can accomodate 38 people at a time. Range officials say it is one of the best indoor ranges in the nation.

"It's a very sophisticated indoor range," says range officer Elon Abernathy. "We think it's probably second only to the NRA's range in Washington, D.C."

Sir Walter Shooting Services will manage the range. The for-profit arm of Sir Walter's gun club gave people tours Friday, encouraging them to take the classes required to shoot there.

Abernathy says it took a long time to open the range to the public. He attributes the delay to the group's part-time volunteers negotiating with county officials who had higher priorities than the range.

A steady stream of gun enthusiasts checked out the range Friday. County residents can shoot there for $10 an hour. Shooters from other counties can use the range for $15 an hour.