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41 <br /> live in Orange County. We have been shooting on our 5 acres of land for years as my great- <br /> grandmother and great uncles did for 80 years or so before me. I am a Concealed Carry <br /> Handgun instructor, NRA Basic Pistol Instructor and a NRA trained Range Safety officer, but <br /> my main goal is empowering the disempowered. While teaching the laws regarding the uses of <br /> deadly force that were taught to me by the North Carolina Department of Justice, we have <br /> instructed many about the safety and fundamentals of marksmanship and safety on our <br /> property. I take no more than 10 students (at the most) a few times a month (at the most) to <br /> target practice. I am an NRA Range Safety Officer and do everything within my training and <br /> power to ensure the safety of my shooters and any surrounding property. I "instruct" one <br /> person at a time. There is no "wild" firing. I have my hands on my students at all times while <br /> they are firing. I teach the elderly and infirm. Therefore it takes a little while, as it should, to <br /> ensure thoroughness and proper training. <br /> I shoot in a valley on my land with a natural earth berm that would more than stop any <br /> projectile, unless someone shot into the air which does not happen with my instruction and <br /> under my supervision. Our shooting may last 30 minutes to not likely more than 2 hours. I have <br /> one neighbor that had "concerns" last year and he walked onto my clearly posted private <br /> property, past the no trespassing signs to ask what I was doing, I advised him to never do that <br /> again, but if it would make him feel better, I would let him know when I'd be shooting, on my <br /> land, at a safe distance, into a safe berm and I have since then called him each time, while I <br /> am not required to. No one shoots on my property without me knowing them nor without me or <br /> my husband (who is also a NRA RSO present). <br /> I am very disturbed that this piece of legislation made it this far with input only from the board <br /> and the single complainant who showed for the hearing. In a time where the largest growing <br /> segment of the population striving to protect themselves, buying guns and seeking training are <br /> women, women who are frightened or unaware of their abilities, single mothers and single <br /> young women. We should encourage training, not discourage it. If a woman gets her CCH <br /> permit with minimal training, she's still likely to be a victim. I teach them how to carry, how to <br /> draw, safe ways to carry, how to hit what you are aiming at. I empower them and I find it <br /> abhorrent that the commissioners would take a handful of complaints and none but one who <br /> cared enough to show up, and target people training women, helping the weak of any gender <br /> to help themselves so that they are no longer victims or feel like victims. <br /> Addressing the signage requirement is mind-boggling for me. There are already clearly marked <br /> property lines, but we do not prosecute trespassers? There are so many ordinances and laws <br /> that do not/can not get enforced at this point, how will our already stretched law enforcement <br /> possibly deal with the complaints from this too? <br /> I/We ask that the Board NOT sign this piece of legislation, revisit it for more inclusivity of your <br /> true constituents, ask us questions, seek viable answers. This amendment/ordinance is <br /> intrusive, offensive and will be a nightmare for the county to enforce. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Jennifer Merritt Depew <br /> Cedar Grove, NC <br /> Commissioners <br />