Development possible threat to Carson gun range

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about the future of the Rifle & Pistol Range has left many shooters feeling uneasy about its future. The meeting was held December 12 to help ease tensions and answer questions about the decision to limit use of the range.

Reports of stray bullets entering the landfill, which is directly down range from the rifle and pistol range, caused the city to limit use for the public to just weekends.

Public Works claims bullets were found in the landfill, posing a threat to workers.

Looming threats of a new housing development has shooters feeling unsettled.

"Two days before the range was actually closed is when I read about it happening," Chris Pattison says. "And after that the range gets closed, so it gets you thinking that there has to be some sort of conflict of interest going on."

The new Drako Development would bring 270 new homes to the area next to the Carson City Rifle & Pistol Range.

"Someone asked what the status was and we didn't really get an answer," Kristy Scott, who owns Battleborn Ammunition & Firearms, says. "We were told this and that and cautionary statements were put out and the zoning changes have already been approved so as far as we're concerned it's a done deal."

The development plans will now go to the Board of Supervisors for approval. The city says the area could be an issue for the next two to three years because of the expansion of the landfill.

"It's unacceptable," Pattison says. "The landfill should move and they have a huge amount of land they can move to."

Shooters feel the development threatens their range, but that their range poses no threat to neighbors.

"For a ricochet to go 300 yards, then over a mountain, then to land on somebody and to kill them is impossible," Pattison says.

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to reopen the range for instructor use.