Rudy Cartassi, Rad Range Owner, said that any government powerful enough to give people what they wanted was also powerful enough to take away whatever it wanted; whether it was gun rights, automobiles, planes, cars, or trains as examples. He continued that the Bruen Decision got rid of balance testing and that the government could not start infringing on the rights of citizens. Mr. Cartassi indicated that he looked forward to working with the county attorney.
Richard Clark talked about sound and his qualifications as a sound expert. Mr. Clark said there had been many complaints about gun noise. He explained that the "Pledge of Allegiance" was 90 dB. Mr. Clark mentioned he had visited two properties while a machine gun was shooting off and had measured 88 dB. According to Mr.Clark, that measure was almost as loud as the "Pledge of Allegiance." He noted that he had done sound systems for three US Presidents and had 30 US patents on audio devices.
Gerald Long, a Greensboro resident, spoke on behalf of the Central Carolina Gun Club as one of the trustees. He applauded the Board for their efforts and acknowledged this was a tough issue. He continued that his gun club had always emphasized safety and being conscious of their neighbors. Mr. Long surmised that the written ordinance would not accomplish their objective of making the residents living near the gun range safer. He suggested adults sit down and devise a solution to the problem.
Jim Young, President of the Durham Pistol and Rifle Club (DPRC), spoke that his club was one of the oldest in North Carolina. He said the club sat on 218 acres, with more than half of that as a buffer with 1,500 members. He said that anytime there was an ordinance that might affect DPRC membership, he had to come out and speak up for them. Mr. Young stated that the only reason he and the other ranges were there was one range. He said you could not punish them for what one place was doing.
David McFarling, Past President of the Durham Pistol and Rifle Club (DPRC), and member of the Central Carolina Gun Club (CCGC),spoke that he had a vested interest in the ordinance discussion. He said they would never contest anything dealing with firearm safety. He indicated that the DPRC and CCGC were the safest places to shoot. Mr. McFarling said that when he worked at DPRC they worked hard with the neighbors to address complaints. He said there were a couple of good pieces in the ordinance and stressed that they would like to be involved in any meetings.
Eric Hinshaw, owner and operator of an indoor gun range commented that they were all there because all gun ranges were being painted with the same brush. He said that he puts safety first at his gun range and safety was paramount with the community involved. Mr. Hinshaw said this would come down to adults sitting down and putting their neighbors first. He shared that he was spot-checked by OSHA, EPA, and ATF. He expressed that his main concern was his gun range and having to pay any registration fees.
Lee Hicks, Burlington resident, said he was representing his neighbors of the Deep Creek community, which was regularly affected by Rad Gun Range. He mentioned that their community was not anti-guns or against the Second Amendment. He said having facilities where individuals could responsibly hone their shooting skills was essential. Mr. Hicks mentioned that the proposed ordinance ensured that these facilities were operated and maintained with high safety standards. He felt the proposed ordinance did not threaten or infringe upon anyone's Second Amendment rights. Mr. Hicks continued that the proposed ordinance aligned with previously mentioned measures and represented an effort by the Board to enhance safety, benefiting all residents of the county.
Mark Terry, a Burlington resident, thanked County Attorney Stevens for drafting the Shooting Range Ordinance. He shared that he was not anti-second amendment and supported the rights of small businesses. He mentioned that he was a member of a shooting range. As he was out walking with a Burlington Times-News reporter, he reported finding .223 bullets lodged backwards in a tree along with other trees shot through with entry and exit wounds. Mr. Terry mentioned another gun range had 218 acres while Rad Range sat on just over 23 acres, with a 500-yard range squeezed in on the edges.
Paige Sharp, a Burlington resident, spoke that she and her family owned guns and proudly supported the Second Amendment. She said her family had lived in that community long before Rad Range without any serious concerns until now. Ms. Sharp shared that during a week in December, they found a stray bullet in their driveway just 2 feet from their front door. She said finding that bullet so close to her home was another level of fear. She said that she respected gun ranges in communities, but safety had to be the top priority.
Sean Sarrantino, Vice-President of Operations for Grassroots NC, questioned why they had not heard about this ordinance. He felt that anytime changes were being made related to firearms, then firearms organizations should be contacted. He advised that their attorney pointed out that one of the most recent overrides in the General Assembly made it illegal to downgrade a property using zoning. He asked that the Board reach out and keep him informed of what they were doing when it came to firearms.
Joseph Shuford, Attorney at Fox Rothchild, mentioned that he was speaking on behalf of his clients, the Dunns. He thanked the Board for acting quickly to draft an ordinance in response to the safety concerns raised by the residents at the last meeting. Mr. Shuford continued that his clients were pro-guns and pro-safety and just wanted to be on their property without fear of being hit by a stray bullet. He outlined some of the safety measures of the ordinance. He noted that it was important to highlight that the ordinance did not apply to hunting, lawful defense or law enforcement training, nor did it legislate anything about the types of guns that can be shot at a shooting range. Mr. Shuford's last point expressed the dangers of how bullets from Rad Range were landing on his clients and neighboring properties without their permission.
Thomas Fargis, Pastor of Deep Creek Baptist Church, shared that since he last appeared at a meeting, he had received several harassing phone calls from Rad Range supporters. He commented that he practiced his Second Amendment rights and would stand up for his community. Mr. Fargis said they deserved to sit in their church and have service without hearing gunfire. He indicated that it was impossible to have Sunday night service because of all the gunfire noise. He mentioned that he was unable to go outside and enjoy himself. He stated that his church congregation had to be careful when they held activities outside.
Scott Ward, a former county employee, said he had served the Board for 20 years. He thanked the Board and previous Boards. He noted that it had been an absolute honor to have served the people of Alamance County.
Jason Rueben, indicated that he lived the closest to the gun range and that the noise was not that bad. He said the levels were low and had no interference with his cell phone or GPS. He said his dishes did not rattle off the wall. Mr. Rueben mentioned that his dog was bothered by a plane repeatedly flying around his house doing loops.
Robert Alvis, ABSS Association of Educators, thanked the Board for collaborating with the school system on school facilities. He mentioned the progress he had observed while teaching at Williams High School. He said there was still work to be done and he was encouraged by the progress. He asked the Board to prioritize the core education pillar in the strategic plan in the upcoming budget cycle.
Dewayne Allred, a Graham resident, said his aunt's property was behind the gun range and direct fire was coming over to her property. He displayed a round found on his aunt's property while showing the property to a Times-News reporter. He said that round could have hit him, his aunt, or his children. Mr. Allred said he was a Durham Pistol and Rifle Club member and was pro-gun and Second Amendment. He said Mr. Cartassi needed to build up his berms. He voiced the types of live rounds coming over from the gun range.
Steven Barker, a Pagetown Road resident, said he had a problem with a private property owner and it was not Rad Range. He continued that the owner has used the property solely as a gun range. Mr. Barker stated that the property owner invited nine individuals to shoot at his property, which was less than 1,000 feet away from his home. He said it was a huge safety issue and a noise disturbance. Mr. Barker provided an example of an incident that had occurred where over 1,000 rounds were shot. He mentioned they had used his property as a berm, damaging over three dozen trees. He pleaded for help from the county as it would be difficult to confront those individuals because of potential violence.