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16 <br /> Riley Ruske said he a Vietnam veteran and a resident of Orange County. He and his <br /> family understand firearms and feel they are obliged to defend the constitution. He said this <br /> issue was poorly publicized and is an assault on the property and constitutional rights of <br /> Orange County citizens. He said if the BOCC adopts this ordinance a lot of law-abiding <br /> citizens will be turned into criminals. He said if this is done, the BOCC will have failed at <br /> upholding the constitution. <br /> Alan Mauer asked if there was a reason that prompted the creation of this ordinance. <br /> Chair McKee said he will speak to this question after public comment. <br /> Alan Mauer said he has lived here his entire life. He said this is not about hunting but <br /> rather about the right to defend himself and to train to defend himself. He said the BOCC does <br /> not get to pick what rights are upheld. He said this issue is about a lack of understanding of <br /> firearms. He suggested the community may wish to provide more training and education, so <br /> that firearms are better understood. He encouraged the Board to vote no tonight. <br /> William Heard said he is a doctor. He said this is a matter of culture, and in Orange <br /> County there are many different cultures. He said people have strong feelings about this issue <br /> in one-way or another. He said personal feelings must be put aside, and to recognize <br /> indigenous groups, as well as these gun owners. He said there are some technological <br /> solutions that could address noise complaints. <br /> Craig Lloyd said he is a life-long resident of Orange County, and the Director of the <br /> North Carolina National Guard Association. He said he is unsure if the Planning Department <br /> did enough research on this item. He said House bill 562, state law 14-409.46, says that if one <br /> has shot on one's property for sport, prior to any new regulation or ordinance, one is <br /> grandfathered in. <br /> Lindy Galloway referred to the former speaker who had a bad neighbor and said the <br /> countryside does have problems of drug and alcohol abuse as well. She said she has a <br /> shooting range on her property, which she regularly utilizes as she wants to be well trained. <br /> She said crack heads have been on her property making threats but run when the Sheriff's <br /> department arrives; however, the threats resume once the Sheriff's department leaves. She <br /> said now that everyone knows she can shoot, those previously harassing her now stay away. <br /> She said she wished the Board would vote no or throw the ordinance out entirely. <br /> Cheryl Allison said for the Board to look at the packed room and hallway as well as to <br /> consider all the people who could not be here tonight. She said these people are law-abiding <br /> citizens asking the Board to vote this down. <br /> Public comments via email: <br /> To the Orange County Commissioners' Board, <br /> As an 18 year resident of Orange County, NC I want to go on record stating that I am against <br /> the restrictions that are being proposed concerning shooting firearms. In my opinion it's not a <br /> fair proposal and has not been publicized enough for accurate consideration. <br /> Thank you for your service and consideration and please contact me at any time. <br /> Tony Holleman <br /> 530 Jericho Rd. <br /> Hillsbourough, NC 27278 <br /> 919-644-0868 <br />