Update on crazy day

[contender]

I posted earlier today that I was at a meeting place where a meeting about a proposed gun range was about to start.

This was very short notice for me & others. I called Sam & he was able to attend as well.

It wasn't supposed to be a meeting where the public would be allowed to speak. It was a "Planning Board" meeting to see if the developer had met all the requirements as required by the County ordinances & any applicable State laws.

But we all know how such things go. Public outcry & lots of emotions. With about 45-50 people in attendance over this issue,, they did read the rules where they could modify the meeting to allow public comment. They TRIED to get people to understand that any comments were to be made that addressed specific things on the proposal & NOT to discuss "likes or dislikes" over a gun range.
The Board even went as far as saying that the area in question was in a zone that ALLOWED a gun range.

But we all know how people are. Just about every one of the people who spoke out,, were against a gun range. Some even went as far as saying they owned guns, didn't want to stop shooting,, but were against a range in that location. Also, some spouted nonsense about how unsafe a range is, or how lead dust would be blown all over the place, or how lead could leech into the water, and of course noise, property values etc.

Basically some said they'd support a gun range,, "just not in MY backyard." Yet, the proposed area is well away from most of the county in a remote location. Yes,, it's close to a county line,, and in that adjoining county, is a "gated community & golf course" with HOA rules.

Only myself & one other person spoke in favor of allowing the gun range & I even tried to stay within the guidelines set by the Board. I did not get into a serious discussion defending the shooting sports etc.
And the local liberal Asheville TV station had a few cameramen & a reporter there. (WLOS TV 13) We record the local news and when we got home,, we got to see the TV report. They actually had (2) opposing views with brief comments broadcast. (If anybody is interested you can likely find it on their website.) I was the one interviewed on the "pro" side of the issue.

It was interesting to see how unruly a few were in making comments from their seats & not at the podium, heckling or attacking the Board. And of course when a person spoke against a range,, they applauded or made comments as well.

I sat quietly until it was my turn to speak. And as I spoke someone tried to heckle me. I stopped & turned to the crowd & said; "I didn't interrupt any of y'all,, how about giving me the same courtesy?" The got quiet for a little bit. Then it happened again, and I stopped & said; "Excuse me,, I'm speaking!" or something like that. They didn't appreciate me for that.

The applicant/developer was there,, and he didn't bother to speak. He knew that it'd just get uglier, AND that this meeting was not the place to debate things.

But I had the last laugh. After they closed the public comments,, and allowed each board member a chance to speak if they desired to,, they called for a "Vote to approve the application." A motion was made to allow it it to go forward,, it was seconded & it passed by a good majority vote.

Now,, I KNOW this issue isn't over. And of course,, once it gets into a bigger meeting venue or where actual public comment of any content is allowed,, I'll be right back into it with them. And of course,, I'll have my notes & be very prepared to answer their attacks.

This isn't over by far!

 

[NC FNS]

I appreciate you advocating on behalf of the range. I figure, based on prior observation, that some, if not most of the folks opposing, were paid to show up.

 

[contender]

Actually,, this wasn't the case. No paid people there. The ones speaking were required to list their address as well as their name. And looking around the room, I didn't see anybody that would fit the "paid protesters" type.

Several were from the other County HOA development.
Several were residents in the general area.
One guy claimed ownership of the road, but did state there was an easement for others to access the property beyond him. He kept discussing the "commercial" aspect & did NOT want to admit it was zoned in a manner that allowed for it to be built.

If they get really involved,, I'm sure a few "paid" people will get involved. But again, if that happens,, I'll be armed with many facts to dispel a lot of their BS.

 

[Danjet500]

Links to a couple articles.

https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/news/15060-sh.html
https://wlos.com/news/local/mixed-r...ville-safety-concerns-zoning-board-adjustment

 

[Kevin]

My gun range had an unruly neighbor. But he moved. Another family that is pro gun range move in just last week.

Contender, did this applicant who wants to build the gun range perhaps go to the Police and Highway Patrol? He should and get them to sign up for training at his new gun range.

My range does this. The police and highway patrol use it for training. It’s good publicity and goodwill.

It might also quell some of the naysayers who think a gun range is unsafe. If police/ sheriff are there training, how could it be unsafe?

Just a thought.

Good luck!

 

[blume357]

"Gated community and golf course" nearby was the answer to most of the folks against it. A goodly number of years ago now I took a two day Sheep Dog seminar on Church safety and one of the presenters, a retired Army colonel, pointed out a golf course is a waste of a good rifle range.

His real point was; if you have free time you should be practicing your shooting skills not knocking a little white ball in the woods.

 

[contender]

Thanks Danjet500 for posting the links. (Something I don't know how to do.)

The "un-named" property owner who talked about the road, failed to mention that there is a legal right of way passage through his property because he can not "land-lock" other property. He stated that he alone maintained the road. That's not a requirement, he chose to do that.

I spoke with that guy after the meeting,, and he made statements like;
"I support gun ranges. They can go on game lands or state property. I'll help them find a place, I just don't want one near my home."
And he also said; "Why can't they find a piece of swampland to build a range. that way it'd not be near anybody!"

He was an uneducated person who only cared about himself.

When he said he bought his land to be away from things, and wanted to not be disturbed,, he should have bought more land. I allowed how we can not tell a neighbor what to do with their property as long as it's within the existing laws.

There was a lot of heated comments about the "operating hours" of the range. The developer has never said it would be open until 8:00 pm. The timeframe everybody complained about,, comes from the way the County ALLOWS a specific timeframe.
And the one guy talking about how a "stray bullet can hit a house, a child or a dog" failed to accept that the ordinance specifies that "Outdoor shooting ranges must be designed to contain all projectiles fired on-site." Before the meeting he was pointing out the fact that indoor ranges have bullet marks on the ceiling panels, and that rounds WILL (his words) leave the range. In my reply to him I said that any gun range owner who cares about liability will do everything he can to prevent that due to prevent rounds from leaving the range.

Now more backstory.

The location is not an easy, close to the main roads or anything. It's up on a mountain, away from just about everything in Henderson County. Yes,, it's close to Polk County,, and that gated community with a golf course is down the backside of that mountain. While that bunch tried to claim "future building sites" near there,, they failed to mention the rough, steep terrain anybody who wanted to build there would have to overcome.
Even if he builds the range,, and claims to have parking for up to 40 vehicles,, I can say it's unlikely that there will be 40 vehicles or 40 shooters at the same time all day long. Unless it's a competition or special event.
That range will be remotely located & attendance will not be that heavy. Heck, there's an indoor range in Henderson County, on a very busy well known road, and with 10 lanes,, it doesn't stay full but maybe for a few hours in the afternoons, or on Saturdays.

It comes down to a few simple things.

Nobody wants a gun range near their home with a ,, "put it somewhere else" attitude.
Anti-gun types are always against any gun ranges, or shooting activities.

 

[blume357]

Here in Greenville County they are stacking up more housing developments than most of you can imagine.... about two years ago they started one directly behind my gun club's rifle range... You would not believe what the club has done to try and stop a stray bullet from going over the 50ft berm behind the 300 yard line.... but. the really ironic part is the developer has built another berm between ours and the development even taller... but as one member pointed out...there is no fence between the development and that berm and so the kids and such can go up there and watch the shooting going on directly up range from them...

I used to go during the week and shoot... no big deal now besides a full wall of two 1/2" steel plates at the 25 yard line you have to shoot under, there is now an on site range officer when the range is open... just a few hours on Friday and Saturday.... and you have to pay to shoot.

 

[contender]

Another update;

I just spoke with the Editor of the "Hendersonville Lightning" paper. (see the link above)

First off, I've known him for decades. He was involved in my BSA Troop.

I told him that I was disappointed in the one-sided, biased story in the "Lightning." He has allowed that he's going to do another story,, and I'll be very likely prominent in it. It'll point out a different view of gun ranges & the complaints against them.

 

[contender]

blume,, the Henderson County ordinance requires; "The operations of an outdoor shooting range shall be totally enclosed by; (1) a security fence at least eight (8) feet in height; or a wall at least eight (8) feet in height. Entrances & exits should be secured and locked during non-operating hours."

This developer has a plan to put up a fence around his place.

 

[peachhead]

Bad enough you have to fight the anti's, but also the NIMBYs.
Also not a fan of "anonymous" quotes. If you have something to say then own it.

 

[Kevin]

Bad enough you have to fight the anti's, but also the NIMBYs.
Also not a fan of "anonymous" quotes. If you have something to say then own it.

Everyone is a NIMBY for one thing or another.

The flip side???

The great thing about the USA is the freedom, but there are so many people. It makes things more complicated. Everyone has an opinion. They aren’t wrong just because they don’t agree with you.

 

[blume357]

blume,, the Henderson County ordinance requires; "The operations of an outdoor shooting range shall be totally enclosed by; (1) a security fence at least eight (8) feet in height; or a wall at least eight (8) feet in height. Entrances & exits should be secured and locked during non-operating hours."

This developer has a plan to put up a fence around his place.

Contender... my gun club has two 10ft fences all the way around the place with of course signs on the outside.... when it first started it was out in the boonies and now there are housing developments all around it..... no body like my suggestion on how to bankrupt this latest developer... when a couple of the houses are to the point they can be shown pay someone to spend all day at the rifle range shooting someone like a Winchester 300 magnum every 30 seconds or so.....

 

[contender]

Funny you suggested this blume. I had a very different angle.

We had a real estate agent speak yesterday. He said that a nearby gun range was a "material fact" he was required to disclose to potential buyers. He allowed how it could hurt potential sales.

My angle was that maybe he should be catering to different clientele,, especially to gun owners & shooters.

 

[Mike J]

Another update;

I just spoke with the Editor of the "Hendersonville Lightning" paper. (see the link above)

First off, I've known him for decades. He was involved in my BSA Troop.

I told him that I was disappointed in the one-sided, biased story in the "Lightning." He has allowed that he's going to do another story,, and I'll be very likely prominent in it. It'll point out a different view of gun ranges & the complaints against them.

I don't really have anything to add to the discussion. However, I would like to thank you for the work you do to advocate for the 2nd Amendment & related causes.

 

[454Redhawk]

Contender, I would expect nothing less from the California of NC.

 

[Sam Summey]

Funny you suggested this blume. I had a very different angle.

We had a real estate agent speak yesterday. He said that a nearby gun range was a "material fact" he was required to disclose to potential buyers. He allowed how it could hurt potential sales.

My angle was that maybe he should be catering to different clientele,, especially to gun owners & shooters.

On the real estate angle, my club, Tyrone is familiar with it, is Polk county Gun Club. It was started on this site in 1983, land at the time in Polk County was $100/acre. Along about 1999 the acre price went up to about $5k/acre because horse people discovered PC,NC. North of PCGC is the abandoned, polluted Polk County Landfill. This landfill was unmonitored and has every conceivable chemical/solvent in it. There was, for about 3 year period, a time when PCGC could not make coffee with the water from our well. In the mean time a developer came in and started a gated housing development between PCGC and the Landfill. This development overlooks PCGC 300 yard rifle range. 490 yards from our 300 yard firing point is two unobstructed view houses on the side of Little Mountain. I am sure these folks can hear the report of the rifle range when it is in use. 4 weekends a month we have shooting events sometime both days. Seems the presence of the PCGC ranges hasn't been a detractor in housing sales. Since the houses have been built, within 150 yards of the impact berm, there has been a barn built large enough for 50 horses plus a small cottage for the "horse master". Being the good neighbor that PCGC is, we did redesign and modify the rifle range (2015-2018) at a cost of about $180k to align the impact berm and the axis of the range so it was no longer aligned with those two houses. The club encompasses 92 acres, 2-3 years ago we improved our security to prevent the local neighbors and their pets from wandering onto our property by surrounding the boundary with a 8ft high live stock fence. This year we installed an electrically opening gate.

The whole issue with the opposition to this range in Henderson County is "not in my neighborhood". This attitude, has in recent years, nixed a range for the County Sheriff Department, and a 3 gun range. Each of these proposed ranges has been in a different location in the county. With the uncontrolled, unlimited building allowed by the County Commissioners (they have to be involved in the developments financially) in the future there will NO land in Henderson County suitable to build shooting ranges. The proposed range in reality, is quite small, it might have a 100 yard rifle and a 25 yard pistol range.