Lyon County officials determined to keep the Sheriff’s Department shooting training facility in rural Silver Springs open; however, additional warning signs will be posted. Sheriff Alan Veil also volunteered to review safety procedures and department policies and report back to the commission.
The issue of whether to keep the practice range in its current location arose when several residents, worried about stray bullets and possible unwarranted access to the shooting pit, asked the county consider a special use permit to govern its use or move it to another location.
The range was established prior to the establishment of County special use permits and the County District Attorney’s office has determined one is not needed. Located in a 20 to 30 foot gravel pit at the west end of 9th Street, the training site is surrounded by high and very steep berms. In 2005 the County bought surrounding property in order to create a buffer zone. A locked gate blocks entry via the access road, with the berms abutting the gate.
A red flag is flown when practice sessions are taking place.
Some residents of the area asked the County to consider moving the range to another site and the 5-acre rural residentially zoned area be designated a ‘congested zone’.
Resident Terri King claimed that when her family bought the property in 2006 the real estate agent did not disclose that the shooting facility was nearby, noting other family members have shied away from buying additional lots in the neighborhood because of the practice range location. She suggested moving the site to the Fernley Raceway or Yerington.
She said many residents walk the area and a lot of ATV use - and claimed the berms are not too steep to deter ATV access. She also cited one individual as claiming a stray bullet had hit her home.
Others also spoke to the need for a SUP to regulate/adjust use as population increases in the area might demand; however, other residents of the area supported keeping the range where it is, noting they have been good neighbors, with no problems.
In making his motion to keep the facility at its current location, Commissioner Don Tibbals asked that No Trespassing signs be posted around the perimeter. The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Chuck Roberts opposed.
Roberts said he was not opposed to the site per say, but wanted some stipulation the Sheriff’s Department do a study to assess its policies and procedures regarding shooting protocol, sanctioned shooting times, downrange activity, et al. prior to an unconditional approval.
