Minutes 09-03-2019 Regular Meeting

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3 Norman Kirby said it is unreasonable for the BOCC to say he cannot shoot a gun on his property, and it is unrealistic to say one has to have 90 acres, and a 30-foot berm in order to shoot. Dwayne Mitchell said he and his family shoot on his property, and is the reason the BOCC is receiving so many calls about shooting noise. He said his family has a 40-foot berm built around a 10-acre lot. He said he and his family shoot every Thursday, with the help of an instructor, and trains all members of the family to learn to shoot. He said his family has set up all necessary measures to shoot safely, and the Orange County Sheriff’s department comes to the property every Thursday, and has seen how the family shoots, and how the range is set up. He said his family has respected all the rules and regulations of Orange County, and those living near him should have looked into those regulations before moving to the area. He opposes any changes to the ordinance. James Minor said he is a Veteran, and is against any restrictions on shooting. He said he has been shooting since he was 14 years old. He said not everyone can afford to go to a shooting range. He said he and his family shoot every week on their property, and they moved to the country in order to be able to hunt, fish and shoot guns, and as long as it is done in a safe manner, they should be left alone. He said if people do not like the noise, then they should stay in the city. Wayne Mitchell said he is against any changes in the ordinance. He said his family used to shoot on a daily basis, but restricted their shooting to Thursday evenings to respond to the complaints raised by neighbors. He said his family follows all rules and regulations, and the BOCC should not chip away at rights. Regina Merritt is the mother of the men that just spoke against any changes, and she said they have lived in their neighborhood for over 60 years, and her extended family has lived there for over 100 years. She said the people that are complaining never voiced any concerns to her family personally, and it is simply unfair. She said they have been doing this for years, and had no problems. She said there are berms all over their neighborhood, and it is safe for her family to shoot. She invited the BOCC and any neighbors to come see the property to understand how safe it is. She asked the BOCC to respect that her family has lived in this neighborhood far longer than anyone else, and allow the family to be a part of BOCC conversations. Carol Edmonds said she lives in the County, but the neighborhood she is in now is densely populated. She said there is a lot of shooting that goes on in her neighborhood at all hours of the day and night, and she is in favor of any regulation in dense neighborhoods like hers. Gary Clark said the average overpass on the Interstate is 13 feet 10 inches tall, and residents are being asked to build a berm that is 3 times that height. He said this is both expensive and an eyesore. He said James Madison wrote the first 10 amendments in a thought out manner, and the rights of the people are of higher importance than government rights. Stanley Washburn said the Board of County Commissioners should not be involved, and neighbors should work this out themselves. He said the Sheriff cannot always respond as quickly as necessary to rural areas, and thus landowners need to be proficient in self-protection. He said maintaining firearm skills is an important part of that self-protection. He said he is shocked that this conversation has risen to the BOCC. He said he fought to protect the rights of US citizens, and those that choose to live in the Country should be allowed to shoot and use their land as they see fit. Steve Kirby said this is a backdoor approach to infringing on the second amendment, and this is not a gun problem, it is a prosecution problem. He said Durham released a large number of gun offenders back into the population.