Gun range lead concerns

[mikesto44]

We have a small public gun range. It has been in use for 50 plus years. No issues an no problems. Now because of a couple of people that moved to our area recently from California. They want it closed because of noise and lead contamination.
Any legal non violent suggestions ? Anyone else have to deal with this ?

 

[waarp8nt]

Unfortunately, lead litigation doesn't surprise me. Since your in a liberal state (like me) you may have legitimate concerns depending on the county you live in and how far the complainant is willing to go.

I live in a liberal state, however the county I live in is very conservative. We had a similar situation, a new development moved in and put up some fancy new houses next to the sportsman club. They tried to shut the club down, but the club was there much longer than the new neighbors. The local Judge told them to pound sand, the club was there 1st and the home buyers should have thought about their purchase of a home next to an existing gun range.

 

[BoomStick]

If safe and well-managed, I'd think the new residents can't say much...50 years so they knew it was there when they bought the property. Does the range have a lead management and reclamation plan? If not, your complainers may find a sympathetic bureaucratic agency.

 

[Tumbledown]

Hold a fundraiser to buy them noise-cancelling headphones.

Seriously, if they didn't know of your existence before moving, that's on them or their realtor. Can't move next to a farm and then complain about the rooster.

 

[waksupi]

Check your state laws on shooting ranges. It is nearly impossible to shut down a private range here in Montana. I registered mine with the state on advise of a deputy friend over 35 years ago.

I recall a case where a new housing development wanted a shooting range shut down. The land the range was on was zoned agricultural, so the range users put the word out they would be replacing the range with a close confinement hog farm. That was liked even less than the shooting,

 

[wiscoaster]

I think OP has a valid concern and a lot depends on the local zoning board or commission or whatever regulates land and property use in his local area. Perhaps some informal off-the-record approach to one of the members to get their insights on what actions, if any, the board might take in the event of a formal complaint by those new residents would give some direction on what to do, if anything.

 

[Grimord]

Our club had a similar problem. The expert soil scientist we hired for the public hearing debunked all the concerns of the lead in the ground. To appease the neighbors, and to settle before it go too expensive, the club built new sand back stops for the ranges, and every 3 years we screen the sand to remove the lead which is sold for scrap or to club members that cast their own bullets

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Invite them out to shoot, maybe they’ll like it.

 

[wiscoaster]

Our club had a similar problem. The expert soil scientist we hired for the public hearing debunked all the concerns of the lead in the ground. To appease the neighbors, and to settle before it go too expensive, the club built new sand back stops for the ranges, and every 3 years we screen the sand to remove the lead which is sold for scrap or to club members that cast their own bullets

It's BS of course, so be prepared for your neighbors to come up with some other excuse. Except hopefully if you got this agreement in writing without sunset clause.

 

[Trigger]

Just tell them to wear orange and have a nice day..