Attorney’s gun range seeks to make community safer in wake of Oct. 7 (2024)

Ian Friedman witnessed the community’s desire for a secure environment to learn and practice firearm handling and self-defense skills following the Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack on Israel by Hamas, he told the Cleveland Jewish News.

Prompted by growing concerns for the safety of the Jewish community, friends and neighbors and a global rise in antisemitism, Friedman, with business partner John McCreery, purchased First Strike Range & Gun Shop in Newbury in February.

“The main goal for the space is to have a place where people from all different communities can come and relax, train and socialize with other like-minded individuals,” Friedman, managing partner of Friedman, Nemecek, Long & Grant, LLC in Cleveland, said.

To celebrate the grand reopening, hundreds of guests visited the newly-renovated space on the afternoon of June 23 for food trucks, a disc jockey, raffles, giveaways, networking and informational speaker as well as firing exercises and educational demonstrations.

“It’s a nice introduction to what is here and what the services are,” Friedman, a congregant of Congregation Mishkan Or in Beachwood, said. “… We went big with the change to the range and therefore we want to share big with those who have been with us for years and for those who hopefully will be joining us for the first time … It really was a warehouse before, so what we’ve done is made it a place that is much more comfortable and appealing.”

Rabbi Shneur Itzinger of Chabad Jewish Center of Chagrin Falls delivered the opening blessing. Guest speakers included a member of Ohio Ordnance Works, Inc., a local firearms manufacturer, and a retired Israel Defense Forces lieutenant colonel.

On range demonstrations throughout the day included learning about and firing modern and World War II-era automatic weapons with Ohio Ordnance Works, Inc., shooting ballistic clothing and showcasing what happens when a bullet hits its point of contact with gelatine blocks.

“I think everybody should be able to feel safe using firearms, I think they should be well trained using them,” Steven Goldberg, who attends services at Solon Chabad, told the CJN. “… Safety is our target and that’s what we’re looking for.”

The newly-renovated space, including a social lounge, classrooms and increased area for added inventory for first-time and experienced shooters, was “really nice,” Steve Rosner, a longtime customer, told the CJN

“They did a great job,” he said. “Prior, they had maybe two or three display cases, there wasn’t much here.”

Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, First Strike has a dedicated male and female staff of trained professionals and certified instructors will provide self-defense workshops, storage solutions, firearm safety education, concealed carry training classes and more, Friedman said.

For more information, visit firststrike.com.