Tourists come to the U.S. to explore the beauty of the Grand Canyon, the grandeur of the U.S. Capitol, and the skyscrapers of New York City. Increasingly, they're also coming to shoot assault weapons.
Gun culture in America is a hot tourist attraction. What's ground zero for gun tourism? Beautiful Waikiki, Hawaii. Along Kalakaua Avenue in the ritziest section of this tropical paradise, four shooting ranges cater to tourists who want to test weapons they've seen only in Hollywood movies.
The clubs offer a smorgasbord of firearms to would-be terminators, from small pistols to powerful "Dirty Harry" revolvers and AK-47 military assault rifles. The pop of gunfire fills the air amid fancy shops and restaurants near one of America's most beautiful beach communities.
The Royal Hawaiian Shooting Club, one of the most popular gun clubs, draws up to 100 tourists a day.
"The club is designed to provide first-class entertainment for the entire family. We want everyone here to feel comfortable, even the ladies," says Aiko Tanaka, the club's general manager.
Walking through the door is like entering a high-end beauty salon. Mood lighting saturates the entrance. An attractive young woman behind the counter greets customers. To the right is a comfortable waiting area and to the left, a wall filled with framed photos of Japanese celebrities holding their favorite guns from the club.
There's even a picture of basketball star Shaquille O'Neal. Guests choose from a series of packages ranging from $60 to $300, depending on what type and how many guns they want to shoot.