BURLINGTON — Members of Boone County Fiscal Court voted 3-1 Tuesday to form a committee to research the need for a proposed $300,000 outdoor shooting range.

        The committee will come up with recommendations for county commissioners.

        The range was proposed by a county commissioner, and the county judge-executive had questions.

        “There are a lot of issues that have to be addressed,” said Gary Moore, Boone County judge-executive. He said public safety, location, fees, whether or not it would be manned and noise are just a few.

        “If it were to be built, it would have to be done in a responsible manner.”

        The range, proposed by Commissioner Tim Hamilton, a Democrat from Florence, would include 15 lanes with a 100- to 300-yard range and would accommodate shooting practice with handguns, rifles and shotguns. It would have a concrete hood barrier.

        The proposed range may also have an archery area. The state is opening an outdoor shooting range in Grant County this spring.

        “It would be interesting to evaluate how (the state facility) does,” said Mr. Moore.

        “We can possibly learn from their experience if this is something we want to do.”

        Mr. Moore, a Republican, said people could also travel a few miles south of Boone County to use the new Grant County range.

        Mr. Hamilton said the range in Grant County will be smaller than the one he proposes for Boone County and that the county shouldn't shy away from building something just because a neighbor has it.

        “Should we close the swimming pools and golf courses if Grant County builds them?” Mr. Hamilton asked.

        Mr. Moore said location is the first issue that needs to be dealt with.

        “We've asked Commissioner Hamilton, since this is his idea, to make some proposals as to where it should be and at this point there have been none,” Mr. Moore said.

        “I don't see a site in Boone County that looks acceptable to me,” he added.

        Mr. Hamilton said the county owns 40 acres just east of the Dinsmore Homestead on Ky. 18 that could house a shooting range. “The county administrator made it clear to me that finding land wouldn't be a problem,” Mr. Hamilton said.

        Liability is another concern. “Our insurance carrier does not seem to be too excited at this point,” Mr. Moore said.

        Another issue is competition, he added.

        “There are some indoor shooting ranges here in Boone County like Marks Guns in Florence,” he said.

        Mr. Moore said he doesn't want the county to hurt a local business.

        “The county already competes with private businesses like golf courses,” Mr. Hamilton said.

        Mr. Moore said he is not necessarily against an outdoor shooting range in Boone County, but isn't in favor, either.

        However, he said he understands there are a lot of avid shooters in Boone County and wants to provide recreation for that population.

        Steve Poat, 33, a resident of Burlington who enjoys shooting, said he would like to see an outdoor range in the area. “If it's done right, I think it would be a great opportunity to teach people about gun safety,” he said.

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