BULLSEYE GUN actually came to be in 1977 as a small gun & pawn shop known then as Edgewood Gun & Pawn, located at Roosevelt Boulevard and Edgewood Avenue.

Wayne and Jackie Miller pooled their resources to open their first small shop while both were employed with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as Police Officers in the Patrol Division.

After about two years at this location, the shop became too small. A much larger location was opened just down the street from the original.

In 1980 they purchased an abandoned chicken restaurant building at the intersection of Atlantic & University Boulevards. The building was remodeled and opened under the name SOUTHSIDE GUN & PAWN OUTLET, INC. As the years went by, SOUTHSIDE GUN grew to be one of the largest gun stores in Jacksonville. The Edgewood Avenue store was eventually sold.

The Pawn end of the business began to take a back seat to the sale of firearms and accessories. They began to stock many items for outdoor activities such as boots, clothing, eyewear, hunting and fishing equipment, etc.

The customer base of SOUTHSIDE GUN grew to include hunters from many other states. Just about everything could be found for the avid hunter. In stock would include tree stands, animal scents, reloading supplies, and any type of ammunition. You name it and they could get it in stock very shortly.

Self Protection had always been an important part of the business as well as hunting related merchandise. As time passed, Self Defense became so important that they came up with the idea of building an indoor shooting range.

This was a first in Jacksonville. Outdoor property where people could go to target practice or sight-in their weapons was becoming a premium. The idea of opening an indoor range would not be easy. The City of Jacksonville was not sure about the idea. Permits were difficult to obtain in all areas. Zoning variances had to be allowed. The City Council had to vote as a unit on the idea of an indoor gun range in the core city. After many long and sometimes heated discussions and meetings with those in charge, Wayne and Jackie finally convinced the city that an indoor range was a good idea.

The adjoining parcel of property beside the Gun Store had already been purchased so a contractor and builder were hired to coordinate with the designers of the bullet trap system. Many studies were done prior to deciding what type of bullet trap system would be best for the long-term goals of the business. Maximum land space needed to be used to make the largest possible.

There were many visits made to other indoor ranges along the East Coast and throughout Florida for the purpose of gathering information on marketing and operating an indoor range.

The end of August 1981 marked the official opening of BULLSEYE INDOOR GUN RANGE, INC. 25 total firing positions were available for different types of shooting. The range opened to the public with two high-power rifle lanes, a seven-position range for classes and competition shoots, eleven positions for members and the public for walk-in access, and a five position computerized range with moving/turning targets.

Annual Memberships were offered along with a nominal operating fee for each visit by members. Of course anyone could walk in as a non-member and pay an hourly rate to shoot. Several years later the rate for non-members was changed to a flat daily rate, making it much more affordable for the avid shooter.

Shortly after opening the range to the public and its members the State of Florida started issuing Conceal Weapons Licenses to state residents who desired to be able to carry a firearm or weapon in a concealed fashion legally. A training course was developed at BULLSEYE INDOOR GUN RANGE to accommodate the applicants. The course consisted of classroom training and a course of fire on the range to assure the people applying could safely and effectively handle the weapons in a self-defense situation. Jackie Miller was certified as an instructor and taught most of these earlier classes.

Shortly after the range was opened a second gun store was opened on the Westside of the city. “Southside on the Westside” was the word. This store location was named Southside Gun II, Inc. Both store locations were modeled and stocked in the same manner to make shopping easier for the customers.

In 1996 the two store locations were split into separate ownership due to divorce. Wayne Miller owned Southside Gun II. Jackie Miller owned Southside Gun I. It was during this time that Jackie renamed the store to its present name, BULLSEYE GUN, INC. to coincide with the notoriety of BULLSYE INDOOR GUN RANGE.