It was dark, save for a fluorescent light that bathed an old warehouse in a green, Matrixian hue. I was at Liberation Firearms Training in East Redmond to try out their new virtual reality shooting range.

Redmond Police Department Officer Landon Rasmussen was the first to be plugged in, using his training to point down targets only he could see, shuffling blindly in a realm just beyond ours. Strapped to his ears and eyes was a virtual reality headset that provides an immersive experience for officers to hone the split-second skills required for duty.

“It was fun, I could do that all day,” Rasmussen said after removing the RoboCop-style headset. He compared Redmond PD’s current firearms training to the virtual one, noting that it was incredibly realistic except for a lack of virtual recoil.

The virtual shooting simulator is no video game. It is intended to provide a safe and immersive opportunity to practice navigating otherwise deadly scenarios where, in reality, there are no second chances.

And it isn’t just for police training. The digital shoot house is also open to members of the public who want to work on their skills or just have fun.

When I put on the headset and entered the virtual world, I was immediately surrounded by pixelated walls and a fake blue sky. The computer hummed and low light faded to black as instructor Kirk Glisson tightened the device. The virtual world I entered appeared much bigger than the square that I was physically standing in.

Glisson handed me a fake gun that looked and felt real and through the tight headset I heard him say: “Now get ready.”

At this point, all of my video game training came into play. I was fearful that a horde of 8-bit zombies would come rushing at me any second.

Slowly, the pixelated room with a typical house layout came into focus and I was told to navigate the scenario. The best way to describe it was like stumbling around inside a computer. I didn’t know where, but simulated bad guys were waiting for me around every corner. Upon seeing the first mannequin, who was unarmed, I panicked and shot — a mistake.

A little gun-shy myself, I felt like this was a great way to get my feet wet in a practical and realistic simulation where I can learn by watching a replay of my virtual training and talk through those mistakes. The simulation removed me enough from the situation to allow me to be calm and think critically about what in reality would be a terrifying scenario.

After finishing, the shooter is debriefed. They can watch their virtual steps and even see the laser lines of each of their shots. This portion of the training is where most of the learning happens, according to Ken Brown, founder and owner of Liberation. He said trainers can help identify errors in position, timing and reaction — which can help shooters retrieve those lost milliseconds and make better decisions.

Liberation also offers classes in reality from the basics to more advanced courses, including pistol shooting basics and defenses, carrying a concealed weapon and vehicle tactics. Their courses meet the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training standards.

“I’m one of those veterans who transitioned home and I have had a hard time, a very, very difficult time, couldn’t keep a job, couldn’t really get along with people … just being home was uncomfortable.” said Brown, an Army veteran.

He said he found a breakthrough by opening a business that allowed him to use his military training and experience to help others. He said he hopes the training simulator helps create “shooters that can think and thinkers that can shoot.”

I plan to return to Liberation to get training on how best to protect my own home, and perhaps to try out the zombie version, too.