Indoor range controversy in Cincy

[zaijian]

Shooter's Supply's plans to build a new indoor range and shop in Loveland, OH are under attack.

Seems that quite a few residents are really opposed to the idea, and the most prolific ones seem to post here: http://davidgmiller.typepad.com/lovelandmagazine/

They trot out the same old tired anti arguments and theories, so much so that even I was able to rebut a few points. Their main appeals are to emotion and fear.

Now, I'm not saying we should overwhelm them, but I imagine that we could definitely help Shooter's Supply out with some good hard logic and cold facts, and maybe get some of the antis to think at the same time.

 

[Henry Bowman]

The voters approved to city ordinance change to allow the discharge of firearms within city limits at an indoor range facility. The City of Loveland sits at the intersection of three counties:

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Loveland, Ohio - An ordinance allowing shooting ranges in the city passed by a wide margin. 1,267 voted YES, 824 voted NO according to unofficial results as of 10:52 P.M. on election night. All three counties however, show 100% of the votes counted.

The owners of Shooters Supply, an existing Loveland firearms store proposed to open a shooting range on Loveland Madeira Road, but needed voter approval when citizens forced the issue to a vote after the ordinance was passed by city council.

Marvin Mann, a co-owner said, "We are totally committed to keeping our promises to city council to making this facility everything we said it would be, and hopefully more."

When asked about the zoning hearings they will now face, Dan Lovett, the other co-owner of Shooters Supply said, "Our attorney knows the details on that." He also explained that K 4 Architects, the owners of the former church property where they want to open the indoor shooting range, will be submitting their plans to the city. The proposed shooting range site is not outside a 200 foot minimum distance from a residential neighborhood, as stipulated in the Loveland Zoning Code.

Both Mann and Lovett said they were tired of a long grueling campaign and were ready to go home and get some sleep.

Hamilton County - 1,015 voted yes. 631 voted no.
Warren County - 68 yes, 83 no.
Clermont County - 184 yes, 110 no.

 

[Henry Bowman]

This range would be only a couple of miles from where I live! I live just outside the city limits, but have a Loveland mailing address.

However, I hope that the owners and their attorney haven't already screwed themselves out of existance. You see, in order to appease the bleating sheep, they proposed that the ordinance only allow "licensed" facilities that conply with all local, state and federal laws. I think what they had in mind was a facility that was constructed according to approved standards (such as air quality, noise limits, and projectile containment. The opponents kept asking for the applicable laws and licenses, and, of course, noone could point to any. The trouble is, there is not licensing process or system in place, let alone standards for licensing. In other words, if it's not licensed, it violates the city ordinance. But there is no way to get it "licensed" unless the city creates an arbitrary process and standard.

 

[Can'thavenuthingood]

Odd that Warren county had 68 yes and 83 no votes, is this actual country property or are there that few voters who care? 81% against it, thats high.

One would think being out in the country the sound of gunfire would be a common occurance. Or am I from a different place and time?

Hope they build it and it's a HUGE success, people coming from miles around. Even a few out of staters.

Vick

 

[Can'thavenuthingood]

Yes sir, if they have to establish a standard, I think these lads are in trouble. Standards have to be argued over, disected, compromised and red taped to death to ensure compliance with the Feds and state, a time consuming process.

Vick

 

[Henry Bowman]

It is a small suburban town with a very small "downtown." The facility would be in the Hamilton County part of the city. The Warren County part of the city tends to be where the "bike trail" people live. There is an old RR bed that was converted to a walking/bicycle/horseback trail that is 20-some miles long, running along the Little Miami River. It is a major part of the summertime commerce of the town. Years ago, as a kid, I hunted rabbit and squirrel in those woods. There are deer, but it is too populated to hunt deer anywhere around there. The new range (if it happens) would be quite a ways from all of that.

Anyway the vote was won, but I believe that the fight has just begun. The City Counsel members know nothing about guns. They will use their ignorance to regulate the facility to death, including every aspect of what goes on inside and outside of the buliding. The local (and vacinity) police support it very much and look forward to offering Eddie Eagal programs, etc. However, I seriously doubt that a "civilian" will ever be allowed to do anything like CCW, draw fire, rapid fire (read: double tap) -- all of the range nazi things that suck the fun out of shooting.

 

[gbelleh]

We need another range here besides Target World. I hope they can work it all out.

 

[Brian D.]

I'm hoping that Loveland city officials will realize that the people have spoken, which should matter at least a little to them. Hope they also realize that the Shooter's Supply folks just might have been shopping around for a new location in other jurisdictions, some of which would doubtless be GLAD to have them, in case the ballot issue went down.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Their main appeals are to emotion and fear.

You left out ignorance.

 

[zaijian]

well heck if they don't want loveland, i'll fight for them to put up shop in Dayton, the gun shops and range (singular) up here could use the competition.

 

[Fastlane]

zaijian:

I agree, the one indoor range in Dayton is not enough. They need completion.