Minutes 02-16-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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14 in fear for her life at times because of irresponsible gun owners and asked the BOCC to do something to help her. She said she wanted protection. Bob Foy said she said it all. Chris Weaver said not to table this item for later but rather make a decision this evening. He said there has been single party rule in this County for over a hundred years and if the BOCC wants to pass the ordinance, it should do so and see what happens. He said this is not about hunting but rather it is about recreational shooting. He said a work group is unnecessary, just vote on it or kill it. He said the Lenoir County ordinance is a good example and would help people like Ms. Foy. He asked if the Planning Board is using common core math standards. Dallas Taylor said he is concerned about this ordinance, as it curtails the rights of those that do not own big properties, or are not rich. He said he is opposed to the ordinance. He said if this ordinance is passed, the range where he, and many others practice would have to move or be shut down. He said he understands and is willing to be considerate, but at the same time he wants to be able to exercise his rights. He said law enforcement needs areas to train, and to be able to train their own kids. He said turkey shoots would be cut off if the time limitations were imposed. David Brown said he has been in Orange County for 33 years and his children were trained to shoot. He reviewed all the elements of the ordinance which he found to be unacceptable. He said one of the things that makes rural Orange County the way it is are the people and their customs. He would prefer they do away with the ordinance entirely. He has forwarded the proposed ordinance to the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Institute for Legislative Action. Don O'Leary said the proposed ordinance is not constitutional and should be thrown out. He said the second amendment was put in the constitution in case of a tyrannical government, so that the citizens could protect themselves. Jack Hunnell said he farms 25 acres and he likes to hunt and fish on this property. He said his neighbor has 155 acres, and the State regulates a lot of these. He said Chair McKee should have gathered more input from broader areas to involve them in this discussion. He asked the BOCC to table the issue until further discussion can occur. Larry Roberts said the BOCC needs to decide what it is trying to accomplish. He said he too reviewed the abstract information and he did not find a situation or complication, but rather he only found resolution. He asked if the goal is safety, noise or firearms regulations. He said he shoots for several reasons, including shooting varmints, such as copperhead snakes, in his barn in order to protect his grandchildren when they visit, as well as his neighbors. He said the ordinance is confusing as to what is restrictive and what is not restrictive. He asked if the BOCC has considered the funds it will take to enforce this ordinance, both for additional law enforcement, as well as litigation. He said do not dismiss these concerned citizens as northern Orange gun owners but rather consider them to be concerned citizens that can help keep this county safe. Brad Burton said most of his points have been addressed. He is a life-long resident of Orange County and was taught to be a responsible gun owner on three acres of land. He said these skills, and the opportunity to practice them, helped to shape his life. He said he wants to teach his son the same life lessons on the three acres that his family now lives on. He said this proposal imposes on his rights as a gun owner as well as his second and ninth amendment rights. Rick Perry said BOCC meetings do not start before 7:00 p.m. in order to allow working citizens the opportunity to attend. He said this same common sense should apply to this ordinance. He said if one has a job and does not get home till 6:00 pm, one cannot practice shooting with this proposal. He said he has a berm, and the proposed regulations are