Photos courtesy of C2 Tactical
What makes a former broker leave his job to pursue the dream of opening a gun range? A lot of passion and an urge to do something different.
When C2 Tactical’s managing member Vince Vasquez left his job, he knew he was headed in the direction of pursuing something in recreation and education surrounding firearms. He started at Caswell’s in Mesa after asking how he could get lessons for free. The staff said, why don’t you work here? He joined in the early 2000s and by 2009 had purchased the facility.
“About 11 or 12 years ago, my business partners and I wondered how we could bring fun experience and service for all ages and types of people to the Tempe area – including an emphasis on education,” says Vasquez.
Thus, the indoor gun range C2 Tactical was born off Warner Road near the 101 highway and bright blue and yellow Ikea.
“We tried to make sure as we built our facility that we could present something new and desirable,” says Vasquez. “Most traditional gun stores are male dominated.”
This spring, C2 Tactical celebrated a decade in business but some traditions are older. Back at Caswells, Vasquez and friends applied and received grant funding from National Shooting Sports Foundation for residents that didn’t feel they had access to courses.
“We came up with a women-only group and a fun name, Women of Steele,” he says. “Grant funding ran out but it’s so popular we still offer the program.”
Women of Steel is still enjoyed by residents at both the Tempe and Scottsdale location, which opened two years ago. Held at each location once a month, over 700 women attend these educational classes. The ladies attend to practice shooting, see their friends, and learn about topics such as shotguns, rifles, TASER, and non-lethal force.
“The TASER course was really popular,” says Vasquez. “Most programs run 45 minutes. This lasted over two hours.”
Since 2013, C2 Tactical has doubled the type of educational courses offered. This now includes family firearm safety, realtor safety courses, and disaster preparation courses that deal with questions such as, what would you do if you had no water supply? How can you keep safe from EMP?
In fall 2022, the team expanded to offering the C2 Overland website.
“We wanted to bring educational classes to the outdoors folks who love camping or four-by-four,” says Vasquez. “It’s about the journey and experience. C2 Tactical focuses on firearms, while C2 Overland is more about awareness of hiking, camping, and communicating – as well as first aid. It’s what self-defense looks like in the wild.”
The website c2overland.com offers advice for camping and hiking equipment and advice on trail tactics, safety, and self- defense tools.
For residents who are looking to keep safe in everyday life, what can they prepare for? Vasquez says it comes down to one main idea – awareness.
“What’s happening around you, in the world, or in your location?” asks Vasquez. “That’s the main focus, whether you’re walking your dog, going to school, or at the drive thru. It’s important to be attentive to what’s around you. You can never lose a fight if you don’t have to.”
Monthly membership is $19 with unlimited free range time. For more information about C2 Tactical, please visit c2tactical.com.
