Battlefield Vegas
| Depiction of a soldier holding a firearm positioned behind a "Welcome to Fabulous Battlefield Las Vegas" sign, with a helicopter overhead. Battlefield Vegas emblem | |
 Battlefield Vegas tank alongside the facility's sign, photographed on May 1, 2015 | |
| Founded | October 1, 2012 |
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| Founders |
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| Headquarters | 2771 S Sammy Davis Jr Drive, , United States 36°08′20″N 115°10′07″W / 36.13889°N 115.16861°W |
| Owner | Henderson Defense Industries |
Number of employees | 68 (2016) |
| Website | www |
Battlefield Vegas operates as a shooting range and outdoor military museum situated near the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada. Established by David Famiglietti, Ron Cheney, and Karla Cheney, this five-acre venue commenced operations on October 1, 2012.
The site includes an indoor shooting facility with 11 lanes and an expansive 25-acre outdoor desert area. Employing predominantly veterans, the establishment possesses roughly 750 firearms, including approximately 550 automatic weapons manufactured by nearly all members of NATO and utilized in conflicts dating back to World War I. Its museum exhibits feature retired tanks and helicopters; patrons have the opportunity to operate a tank to crush vehicles. The range offers shooting experiences modeled after war films such as Platoon and Saving Private Ryan, along with video games like Call of Duty titles Black Ops and Modern Warfare. The primary clientele consists of tourists rather than local residents.
History
After three years of preparation, Battlefield Vegas opened its doors on October 1, 2012. Founded by David Famiglietti along with Ron and Karla Cheney, this military-themed complex was developed at a cost of $2.5 million and is located east of the Las Vegas Strip near Circus Circus. Before establishing the business, Ron Cheney served in the United States Army and practiced as a chiropractor for fourteen years. His objective was to create a secure environment for firearm usage. In 2013, Battlefield Vegas earned the top spot in TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards for Las Vegas. By 2016, the company employed 68 staff members—mostly veterans—who donned military uniforms during their shifts. Co-founder David Famiglietti died from cancer in 2019 at age 39. The enterprise is managed under Henderson Defense Industries, which is controlled by Ron and Karla Cheney.
In January 2013, Battlefield Vegas hosted a lobbying event organized by the National Rifle Association, attended by around twenty Nevada politicians from both major parties who participated in firearms training and shooting sessions. Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, recognized for advocating concealed carry legislation in schools, played a role in coordinating the event. Outside the venue, approximately 36 protesters gathered to support gun control measures.
Following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, co-founder Ron Cheney led a group of sixteen personnel who deployed four armored personnel carriers to assist law enforcement at Mandalay Bay until early morning hours. They refrained from carrying weapons themselves to avoid causing alarm among officers. Despite unfounded conspiracy theories linking them to the shooter, the company subsequently established an emergency response team after the incident.
In November 2019, Henderson Defense Industries—the parent company—was sued for alleged negligence after a ten-year-old child suffered serious injuries handling a semi-automatic rifle at the range in October 2018. The lawsuit sought $15,000 in medical expenses, claiming that an employee lost control of the firearm, resulting in an accidental discharge.
Shooting range and exhibits
The Battlefield Vegas site is enclosed by a chain-link fence topped with "shredded canvas" and barbed wire, securing an assortment of tanks, helicopters, and sandbag fortifications. The facility's one-story structure is adorned with gun-inspired eaves and contains an indoor shooting range alongside a retail area offering firearms, "toy grenades," clothing, and hats.
Transportation to Battlefield Vegas is provided from Las Vegas Strip hotels via a Humvee. The center educates guests on U.S. military history through various displays, including a World War II-era tent, a 1944 Willys Jeep, a Vietnam War-era Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter, and eight M35 series 2½-ton 6×6 cargo trucks. Its outdoor "Petting Zoo" area showcases numerous retired military vehicles, with tanks being prominent among them. In 2016, entertainer Penn Jillette utilized a rented T-90 tank from this location for a film project. The company’s firearm inventory comprises roughly 750 weapons—about 550 of which are automatic—originating from co-founder Ron Cheney’s personal collection.
The indoor shooting facility boasts 11 lanes, making it the largest of its kind in Las Vegas. Participants shoot at targets positioned 25 yards away within a soundproof environment, where the use of safety equipment is mandatory and overseen by range safety officers. After completing their shooting session, customers have the option to keep the spent cartridges as keepsakes. Additionally, the business manages an outdoor shooting range spanning 25 acres.
For those seeking an exclusive experience, Battlefield Vegas offers a $2,500 package that enables clients to operate a replica M1 Abrams tank to crush junkyard vehicles under staff supervision. Firearm packages are crafted around historic military engagements such as the Battle of Stalingrad, Iwo Jima, and D-Day. The armory also includes guns featured in acclaimed war films like Platoon and Saving Private Ryan, as well as weapons from popular video game series such as Call of Duty.
Advertising
Battlefield Vegas markets its offerings using a digital billboard truck that displays vivid, flashing text. Advertisements typically depict patrons dressed in military gear wielding large firearms and highlight the tagline: "More fire-power than your local armory. It's your new playground." The company’s primary audience consists of tourists rather than local residents.
Furthermore, the business leased a billboard near the intersection of Interstate 15 and Spring Mountain Road through Lamar Advertising Company, promoting "Shoot a .50 Caliber Only $29." On March 1, 2018, this billboard was defaced to read "Shoot a School Kid Only $29," with Battlefield Vegas's contact number replaced by "Defend Lives Reform Laws." The alteration was claimed by Indecline, an artist collective responding to the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. They stated that the company’s aggressive advertising style and billboard location motivated their choice despite other shooting range advertisements nearby.
Reception
In a review published in January 2020, Adrienne Batra of the Toronto Sun emphasized that Battlefield Vegas delivers a guided shooting experience conducted by veterans, which helps beginners feel at ease. Geoff Carter from the Las Vegas Weekly underscored the company's distinctive business approach, noting that every team member possesses a military background, with many actively serving as reservists. He commended Battlefield Vegas for allowing customers to handle powerful firearms under professional guidance, setting it apart from conventional shooting ranges and boosting its appeal in the market.
External links
- 2012 establishments in Nevada
- American companies established in 2012
- Companies based in Winchester, Nevada
- Military and war museums in Nevada
- Privately held companies based in the Las Vegas Valley
- Shooting ranges in the United States
- Tourist attractions in the Las Vegas Valley
- Museums established in 2012
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment