HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 Ross11/4/2019 Gun Range Ordinance - Planning Commission Desk
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Gun Range Ordinance
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11/03/2019
Members of the Jefferson County Planning Commission.
r.e. Deliberations and Considerations on the Ordinance concerning establishment and operation of shooting ranges in Jefferson County.
I am both a social progressive by politics and a gunsmith by trade. I have a significant connection with both local constituencies, neighbors
and clients within and outside of the community of sports shooter and gun owners. I have lived in and made my home in Jefferson County
for 45 years. I am 68 years old.
It is my conviction and experience that the best action that can be taken to encourage and support safe and responsible firearms ownership
and use in a community is to allow for the development and operation of safe venues where shooters can participate in the shooting sports
as well as gain professional education and training in the ownership and use of firearms.
I believe that, any action taken by a jurisdiction to limit access to such venues only moves the shooting activity into less safe and controlled
areas and impromptu locations.
Jefferson County already has one of the best and most respected, as well as historically well operated gun ranges in western Washington at
the Jefferson County Sportsman’s Range.
Anything you do to restrict access or activity to this venue is likely to result in a loss of some revenue to the community. As and estimated
100, out of community, shooters come to this range to participate in shooting sports activities each month. Many of them eat, shop and
buy gas while they are here.
Anything you do to restrict access to or increase the costs for participation in the shooting sports at this venue is likely to result in those
who want to shoot, moving to relatively unsafe and uncontrolled impromptu areas throughout the public and private lands in our
community and decreasing public safety due to the potential for increased personal and property damage from shooting activity.
Levi Ross <madronahouse1@gmail.com>
Sun 11/3/2019 11:02 AM
To:Planning Commission Desk <PCommissionDesk@co.jefferson.wa.us>;
11/4/2019 Gun Range Ordinance - Planning Commission Desk
https://owa.co.jefferson.wa.us/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&ItemID=AAMkAGM0ZTI0NjQ3LTE2OGItNGQzZi05MWNjLWE2NTE2NGZjMzFhN…2/3
It also occurs to me that any specific restrictions you attempt to place by ordinance on a group of people or select property or activity can
be subject to challenge and overturning by the state authorities.
I believe you can impose restrictions such as a 10 decibel property line noise limit. But, I think you must impose that limit on all noise
producing activity and on all properties in the area over which you have jurisdiction. Any discriminatory language imposing such limits on a
single activity or property will, most likely, not be allowed to stand, if challenged.
I believe you can impose some measurable limits on activity that has some potential to impact public safety. But, I don’t think you can
require specific measures intended to reach those limits. In other words, I think you can impose a limit of 10 db at the property line. But, I
don’t think you can say how that limit is to be reached or what measures must be taken to reach that limit.
Any requirement for specific measures or structures needed to reach a statutory obligation can likely be challenged, if any alternative
solution is available.
I know some of you are predisposed to not like guns or shooting activity in any form or at any place. I won’t try to change your mind. But, I
will point out that guns exist. And, there is a large community of sport shooters and others who deem their ownership of and right to shoot
firearms is personal property and is legally protected under both our national and state constitutions. They will not easily be dissuaded nor
have their ownership and use rights infringed.
These individuals can best be served by allowing them to participate in shooting sports, shooting education and training activities at a safe
and controlled venue.
Any requirements you propose to change in the existing ordinance or impose should be evaluated as to how they may be applied across all
property ownerships in the county and not just to one property, one activity, one ownership or one group. Any such imposition can be
challenged as discriminatory.
Please have your determinations and recommendations take into account all of our county citizens.
The most vocal few rarely represent the larger population, as a whole.
Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
Levi Ross
181 Raven Rd.
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-390-8018
11/4/2019 Gun Range Ordinance - Planning Commission Desk
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madronahouse1@gmail.com