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It has been a busy year in Las Vegas for gun aficionados.

At least half a dozen shooting ranges opened in Southern Nevada in recent months, with owners trying to capitalize on the valley's booming gun industry. Gun ranges are a favorite destination for many tourists who are unable to shoot high-powered weapons in their own countries.

Each range has a slightly different feel. Some provide no-nonsense training for local first responders. Others try to offer realistic experiences with simulations and military settings. A few concentrate on only-in-Las Vegas flair with specialty weddings and scantily-clad hostesses.

Got an itchy trigger finger? Here are some of the many places to shoot guns legally in Las Vegas:

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The Gun Store

2900 E. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily

One of Las Vegas' original shooting ranges, the Gun Store, which opened in 1984, recently received a major renovation. It expanded to more than double its original size.

Owner Bob Irwin said he realized he needed more space when weekend lines began running more than two hours long.

The shop is especially popular with international tourists who want to shoot automatic weapons.

Machine gun rentals come in 25- or 50-round increments and start at $50. Handgun rentals cost $25 for 20 rounds. Packages that give shooters the option of firing several different guns range from $50 to $400.

Like most ranges, children younger than 18 can shoot but must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Recently, the shop added another feature: a wedding chapel. Couples looking to tie the knot in Las Vegas can exchange vows with weapons in hand. The Gun Store has two ordained ministers on staff.

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Guns and Ammo Garage

5155 S. Dean Martin Drive, Las Vegas

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Guns and Ammo Garage offers a 12-lane shooting range "that puts a bang in your visit to Las Vegas that the casinos just can't match."

The shop started as a retail gun store -- it opened in December 2010 side-by-side with a Performance Muffler and Performance Rhino Shop -- then expanded to include a shooting range. It sits right off the Strip, near the Luxor.

Visitors can choose from a variety of firearms, including AK-47s, Uzis and Tommy guns. You can even rent silencers. Prices start at $40.

The range also offers special packages for weddings, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties and corporate events.

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Las Vegas Gun Range and Firearms Center

4610 Blue Diamond Road, Las Vegas

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

The Las Vegas Gun Range offers an indoor, 15-yard pistol and shotgun range. It has dedicated machine gun lanes and training lanes, as well.

Shoot machine guns, handguns and rifles or exotic guns such as the Desert Eagle or M79 Grenade Launcher.

Handgun rentals begin at $40; machine gun rentals start at $50.

The store also sells new and used guns, as well as apparel.

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Strip Gun Club

2233 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

The Strip Gun Club brings shooting, for the first time, to the Strip. It (so far) is the only gun club on Las Vegas Boulevard.