1980s Toronto indoor archery / gun range shut down for selling guns under the table

Hey all!

I have been talking to a number of "old timers" lately and some of them have made mention about an indoor archery / gun range that was in Toronto years ago (circa 1980s) that was shut down for selling guns under the table.

I am curious about the details of that story. Does anyone know of the place I am speaking of, what was its name, who was running it, where was it, etc?

If you happen to remember any details about the range, its membership rates, popularity, and what led to it being shut down that would be helpful.

You could try send a pm to Gilroy. He was a TPS firearms officer during that time. If anyone would know,it's him.

I cant re call any in Toronto,but did remember a story I dug up from York Regional this might be the one

http://www.thestar.com/news/2007/05/...uns_crown.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gilroy

I cant re call any in Toronto,but did remember a story I dug up from York Regional this might be the one

http://www.thestar.com/news/2007/05/...uns_crown.html

---

No disrespect Gilroy, but does it not seem that lots of these guys are EX-cops.

I have shot hand guns on the top floor of Union Station before Mayor Miller closed it down. I dont think they sold guns there?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Birds_Eye

I have shot hand guns on the top floor of Union Station before Mayor Miller closed it down. I dont think they sold guns there?

---

Not the same place.

And my understanding is that the Union Station gun range is still open for police use (and invitation only to non-police force members). This way the police still have a place to practice, and the invitation is only extended to a rare few who go through a vetting process.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cardiotrek

Not the same place.

And my understanding is that the Union Station gun range is still open for police use (and invitation only to non-police force members). This way the police still have a place to practice, and the invitation is only extended to a rare few who go through a vetting process.

---

Police have a massive range at the TPC college on Birmingham. (By the old metro west) They share the range with CF amoroury (32nd brigade command). Been in the range.. There's vehicles in there to practice shooting behind doors, over hoods etc.. Also a small town set up for ETF to train in. Lots of AR'S as well.. Also have a cqb range as well.
Prior to the new location TPS trained at CO Bic (old tps college) closed now.
The union station range does not exist anymore. I used to do the fire alarm there. If it does still exist I missed a huge area if the building..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snowwalker

No disrespect Gilroy, but does it not seem that lots of these guys are EX-cops.

---

No offence taken for speaking the truth,we had a serving Sergeant charged for selling off hundreds of guns in Toronto when he headed up the firearms unit,this caused a massive internal affairs investigation and charges laid.Last year in Bancroft another ex officer got nailed for gun charges/trafficking in firearms.

The range you are thinking of was just north of the 401. If I remember correctly. They had life size taxidermy work of a lion taking down a zebra in the front entrance way. I shot a Buckmasters archery qualifier there. There was 60yds indoor archery and a hand gun range that was used for IPSC. I don't remember the name. I think they were selling hand guns to people with out licences and storing them onsite so you could shoot whenever you came in.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by deerhnter

The range you are thinking of was just north of the 401. If I remember correctly. They had life size taxidermy work of a lion taking down a zebra in the front entrance way. I shot a Buckmasters archery qualifier there. There was 60yds indoor archery and a hand gun range that was used for IPSC. I don't remember the name. I think they were selling hand guns to people with out licences and storing them onsite so you could shoot whenever you came in.

---

That sounds like the one I am looking for.

Do you remember what their annual membership fee was?

The name of the owner?

Any other recollections?

Hallam Sport Shooting Complex on Centurian Drive in Markham. Woodbine Ave 1 Block north of Hwy 7. Owners first name was Simon. Rates for the Gold membership included the handgun, archery range, bowling, badminton courts and gave you privileges to the full service (but not affiliated) gym next door. $1,100 per year for everything.

2 months before it closed membership secretary started "pestering" myself and other members about renewing for the following year. If we did, good luck on getting our prepaid funds back.

He had the life sized lion in the front lobby. Seen him a few years later at the Sportsmen Show manning a booth for Safari Club International.

Still have my membership electronic door card hanging on my "Wall of Fame".

Attachment 26027

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gilroy

I cant re call any in Toronto,but did remember a story I dug up from York Regional this might be the one

http://www.thestar.com/news/2007/05/...uns_crown.html

---

As much as United Sports Shooting Range was busted they never had a life sized lion eating a zebra in the lobby. The shooting range in question was Hallam Sport Shooting Complex on Centurian Drive and Woodbine Avenue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gilroy

No offence taken for speaking the truth,we had a serving Sergeant charged for selling off hundreds of guns in Toronto when he headed up the firearms unit,this caused a massive internal affairs investigation and charges laid.Last year in Bancroft another ex officer got nailed for gun charges/trafficking in firearms.

---

Detective Paul Mullen, Metropolitan Toronto Police Firearms Unit at 808 York Mills Road.
http://www.lufa.ca/news/news_item.asp?NewsID=6230

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cardiotrek

That sounds like the one I am looking for.

Do you remember what their annual membership fee was?

The name of the owner?

Any other recollections?

---

Why all of the interest? is the dude in another position that enables a scam????