As I write this month's newsletter I am sitting in the San Diego airport waiting to fly home to go Elk hunting.   Can you believe it is October 10th? Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the 4th of July. We are very excited with all that is happening at CTS. The additional gunsmith services we are now offering and the additional gunsmith on staff is long overdue. Read about the gunsmith evolution below.   Our classes continue to fill and our FREE Clinics are a huge success. None of this would be possible without your support. Peggy and I and the entire staff are very grateful for your support.

The elections are close at hand... We need to vote...Please vote. As for the local elections, I am asking everyone who reads this email to ask one or two friends to accompany you to the polls. Imagine if that really happens. We would have an outstanding leader as our new Kootenai County Sheriff and make a real contribution to the National election. Please see my article on Bob Foster below.

The Glock rep will not be here in November as was previously listed. Due to personnel changes and schedule conflicts our new Glock rep will be at CTS in December in support of our GSSF match. Matt Chen was promoted in the Glock organization and our new rep will be Kyle Hopp. Mark your calendars as you don't want to miss the opportunity to have the master Glock armor work on you gun for FREE!   We like FREE!

Last chance to get your CTS around the world pics in. Next month's newsletter will have all your pics in for the masses to vote on a winner. So if you have a picture from your travels wearing any CTS logo items get them in and have a chance for a great prize. Readers who have not submitted pics, get ready to vote for a winner. Submissions to peggy@centertargetsports.com

New products continue to come into the store. We are doing everything possible to stay ahead of the anticipated firearms and ammo shortages. Our vendors are trying to keep pace as well. I believe we will all just have to hold on and hope for the best. As an example, a few weeks ago I was at a meeting with 10 other ranges...between the 11 ranges we had over 400 S&W M&P Shields on backorder.

With the continued increase in demand for our facility many of you will be happy with a decision we made this month. We have decided to change the way Law Enforcement agencies access our facility. We have decided not to renew the contract process with all but one agency. CTS will always support our local law enforcement agencies. However now the agencies will access our range on a daily use fee rather that a yearly contract. What this means to our patrons is a lot more range access during the winter months. We heard your concerns about available range time and we feel we have answered your call for action. The range will be available to LE on those few days when the weather requires them to be indoors but with the daily rate system they will not use our facility when they can go outdoors. The end result for our patrons is you will have more days of range access.

Can you say Grid Wall and Store Fixtures? We sure can. As a result of our recent retail area facelift we now have a number of store fixtures and excess grid wall for sale. We have 100's of 2'x6' and 2'x8' grid wall panels and 1000's of item pegs for sale at unbelievable prices.   We also have a number of store fixtures that we no longer need. Please contact Stephanie, Ken, Ed or Peggy if you want to see the items.

A word about the Utah and Idaho CCW process. Now that Utah requires applicants have their home state CCW permit prior to applying or renewing the Utah permit, many students who have taken our 8hr Utah CCW course are asking for a Utah certificate so they can apply for the Idaho CCW. Sorry, but our 8hr Utah program does not qualify for the Idaho certificate of training. Idaho requires a firearms safety class by an LE or NRA certified instructor.   We have the instructor part covered however the Utah curriculum dictated by the State of Utah does not cover the firearms issues necessary for Idaho. So if you have a DD214, hunter safety, or any other firearms safety class in you past you merely need to show that to the sheriff's dept to make application for the Idaho CCW permit. If you do not have any formal firearms training that you can document, then the most cost effective way to obtain that training is to take our Idaho CCW class.

Bob understands the issues. Don't take my word for it, just ask him yourself or listen to him at an upcoming public appearance. Bob understands fiscal responsibility and he knows how to work within a budget. I am confident that he can and will be able to motivate his team to be better fiscally responsible and still ultimately improve the services, morale, and operations of this crucial agency.

The bottom line is clear. If we don't get out and vote the total number of candidates in this race will in and of itself split the vote and the front runner by virtue of the primary system will have a very good chance of winning.   However, if every reader of this email not only votes but takes two friends to the polls with them, Bob Foster can and will win. The numbers are that close in this race.

The shooting community can make a difference. We can actually play a major role in electing a conservative, ethical, dedicated candidate who is also a man who not only possesses extremely high morals and leadership qualities he demonstrates them on a daily basis. Please join me in sending a strong message to all candidates in all areas of our local government. The message is that we are a government by the people, for the people and the people (you & me) have more than just a voice, we can make a change!   See you at the polls.