Samantha Powell, a Burlington resident, spoke that she lived .2 miles from Rad Range, which bordered her grandparent's property. She continued that since moving back to the property, she has experienced fear and frustration due to the gunfire from Rad Range. Ms. Powell shared a story about an evening when her family enjoyed their fire pit outside. She described hearing rapid automatic gunfire; a ricochet whizzed past her and her family. Ms. Powell mentioned that this was not an isolated incident. She sometimes had to look her children in the eye and tell them that riding their bikes was unsafe. Ms. Powell commented that she and surrounding families should not have to live in fear; worrying about bullets ricocheting into their yards. She said she had sent the Board a video of that incident.
Paul Capps, a Burlington resident who had lived in that community for over 37 years, reminded the Board that he had spoken over a year ago about Rad Range at a meeting. He shared that he had asked the Board for help with the violations at Rad Range. He said that Rad Range did not regard personal property, safety, or the community's health. Mr. Capps indicated that projectiles were still leaving the range. He mentioned that his community did not feel safe being outside while the gun range was open. He stated that a housing development with 24 houses a mile away was in the direct firing range. He shared a photo of where a 50-caliber bullet went into a neighbor's bedroom. Mr. Capps asked the Board to take action by suspending shooting at the gun range until a certified expert could verify and assure his community they were safe in their backyards.
Don Foster, a 34-year resident, spoke that he wanted his neighbor's issues with Rad Range resolved. He said the danger of the wild bullets was frightening. He said it sounded like a war zone with the firing of assault weapons. Mr. Foster shared that his son had found a bullet in his brick patio. He said it was scary, given the possibility a stray bullet that missed all of the trees could harm one of his grandchildren. Mr. Foster asked the Board what they would do, if they lived in that community and had to put up with that every day.
Butch McKenzie, a Burlington resident, shared handouts with the Board. He noted that one of the pictures was the same 50-caliber bullet that had entered his neighbor's house. He said the Sheriff's Office made a report and had the bullet in their possession. Mr. McKenzie continued that there was a hole in his neighbor's outbuilding, but they could not find that bullet. He said that he had a picture of a group of men in the front yard aiming their guns towards the Allison's home. Mr. McKenzie communicated the neighbors had posted "No Trespassing" signs in a neighbor's yard to keep the Rad Range people off the property. According to Mr. McKenzie, Rad Range had removed all of those signs. Mr. McKenzie advised that statutes said removing those signs was illegal. He urged the Board to do something to solve this problem before someone is killed.
Donna Vanhook, a Burlington resident, gave an update on the old Western Electric Plant. She mentioned that she was a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) member, and they were asking for public involvement and wanted to make the public aware of what was happening there. Ms. Vanhook said more information could be found on the City of Burlington's website.
Dwayne Allred, a Graham resident, has an aunt who owned property directly behind Rad Range. He shared that he had hunted that property for over 20 years. He continued that the gun range was extremely dangerous to the neighborhood. Mr. Allred said hunting was a tradition he wanted to teach his children. Mr. Allred said he had called the Sheriff's Office in March 2023. While walking the property, he, a friend, and the responding deputy hit the ground because rounds and projectiles were coming over. He voiced that higher berms and better safety were needed at the gun range.
Rudy Cartassi, owner of Rad Range, stated that the "No Trespassing" signs were not taken down. He provided pictures and said the signs were still there, overgrown with woods and bushes. He continued that the 50-caliber gun could not have done what was alleged, because it had been sold in October 2023, and the ballistics did not match. Mr. Cartassi acknowledged a 50-caliber at his range in December 2023, and those rounds never left. He said the report did not match the dates and that bullets did not travel back in time. He indicated that his gun range cameras were on the range, and they would know if a 50-caliber had been fired from the range. Mr. Cartassi said that gun could not have fired a round into the Allison's home.
Steven Barker, who lived on Pagetown Rd, said he has had issues with gunfire but not with Rad Range. He continued that the gunfire was coming from an adjoining property to his home. He commented that he could not understand why the authorities could not help him. Mr. Allred described that strangers were coming onto the neighboring property and shooting onto his property. Mr. Barker spoke that there were no berms and that 34 of his trees had been hit. He mentioned that he was an NRA member, but what was transpiring was ridiculous. He expressed concern for his safety and property. He questioned why there were no laws or zoning to protect him and that other counties had ordinances preventing people from shooting near homes and property.
Joseph Shuford, an attorney with Fox Rothschild, said he was speaking on behalf of clients Howard and Patricia Dunn, who owned adjacent property to Rad Range. He stated that since Rad Range opened in 2021, bullets have been fired onto the Dunn's property and damaged their trees. He said the real concern was safety. Mr. Shuford indicated the Dunn's could not fully use their property because of the fear of being shot. He continued that bullets off that range are not directed and could go anywhere. He said it only took one bullet to hit a person. Mr. Shuford mentioned the previous speakers who had shared their concerns for the safety of their family and community. He said this issue would be more significant for the county as the surrounding area became more populated with single-family homes.
Mark Terry, a Facette Lane property owner, said he could not touch these first-hand accounts of living around the gun range. He shared that he was a gun club member at another location with a shooting range encompassing square miles, not 23.5 acres. He said his gun club had ample space and was designed by professionals. Mr. Terry noted that law enforcement trained at that facility. He encouraged the Board to ride down Faucette Lane and see the 500-yard range with targets on top of the berms. He said he had observed what happened at the Dunn's property over the last year. He invited the Board to his property on a Saturday or Sunday to see what was happening.