Why no public ranges?

[XinTX]

Few resons why there aren't 'Public' ranges.

First is budget. Most small towns don't have budget to operate a range just for their PD or Sheriff. Some do, most don't. Those that do tend to be larger and more populated. Those areas TEND to end up with more antis on the City Council or County Commission. Smaller ones just don't have the money. I've heard from some PD armorers in a lot of areas have cut their budgets so much that their LEO's get one box of ammo per year to use to qualify. That's not indicative of having funds to operate a public range.

Second is the political will. As I said before, you have to have the budget and the votes on the CC to push it. A few antis would likely kill any attempt. Most big city newspapers would make it out to be some huge waste of taxpayers money (as if there isn't enough of that they could talk about now).

Third is the liability issue. True, it is difficult, though not impossible to sue the government in TX. But I assume (not knowing) that there is some level of effort required to get any suits filed dismissed. And seeing that, the threat of litigation is likely enough to kill the political will. Also, any range near where homes are built would have the potential of being hit by errant fire from the slobs who just want to spray bullets. And if a home (or heaven forbid, an occupant) was hit, it wouldn't be too difficult to find a sympathetic judge to push a case forward. And the antis would look for every opportunity to litigate. Which would factor into the lack of political will.

[Cobra Medic]

Third is the liability issue.

What's the liability for cities and counties allowing the public to drive on city and county roads?

[Oldgringo]

Few resons why there aren't 'Public' ranges.

First is budget. Most small towns don't have budget to operate a range just for their PD or Sheriff. Some do, most don't. Those that do tend to be larger and more populated. Those areas TEND to end up with more antis on the City Council or County Commission. Smaller ones just don't have the money. I've heard from some PD armorers in a lot of areas have cut their budgets so much that their LEO's get one box of ammo per year to use to qualify. That's not indicative of having funds to operate a public range.

Second is the political will. As I said before, you have to have the budget and the votes on the CC to push it. A few antis would likely kill any attempt. Most big city newspapers would make it out to be some huge waste of taxpayers money (as if there isn't enough of that they could talk about now).

Third is the liability issue. True, it is difficult, though not impossible to sue the government in TX. But I assume (not knowing) that there is some level of effort required to get any suits filed dismissed. And seeing that, the threat of litigation is likely enough to kill the political will. Also, any range near where homes are built would have the potential of being hit by errant fire from the slobs who just want to spray bullets. And if a home (or heaven forbid, an occupant) was hit, it wouldn't be too difficult to find a sympathetic judge to push a case forward. And the antis would look for every opportunity to litigate. Which would factor into the lack of political will.

These sound more like excuses rather than reasons.

Build it and THEY will come. THEY will all sign releases and have personal gate passes and sign in procedures for which THEY will be held responsible. You know, kinda' like the Library and Civic Center and municipal swimming pool, tennis courts, etc., etc.

[jamisjockey]

My example would be the Lee Kay public range in utah. It is supported and operated by the state Fish and Game. You pay to shoot, a nominal fee, which also helps keep the doors open. Its an awesome public facility used for CHL courses, competitions, and hunters ed. Considering Utah is a state of a mere 2 million people, I think its something that could easily be pulled off near several of the population centers here in Texas.
http://utahshootingsports.com/leekay.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just curious, and starting a conversation about it.

[Oldgringo]

My example would be the Lee Kay public range in utah. It is supported and operated by the state Fish and Game. You pay to shoot, a nominal fee, which also helps keep the doors open. Its an awesome public facility used for CHL courses, competitions, and hunters ed. Considering Utah is a state of a mere 2 million people, I think its something that could easily be pulled off near several of the population centers here in Texas.
http://utahshootingsports.com/leekay.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just curious, and starting a conversation about it.

1. Is the Utah Fish and Game allowed to keep its proceeds or do the Utah F&G proceeds go into a General Fund to be used by the self-serving as it happens in Texas? Therein may lie part of the answer.

2. Why just the so-called population centers? We all pay our school and property taxes and F&G license as well as our DL and CHL fees, etc., etc. plus the land is cheaper and the inhabitants are nicer further away from Sodom and Gomorrah.

[jamisjockey]

My example would be the Lee Kay public range in utah. It is supported and operated by the state Fish and Game. You pay to shoot, a nominal fee, which also helps keep the doors open. Its an awesome public facility used for CHL courses, competitions, and hunters ed. Considering Utah is a state of a mere 2 million people, I think its something that could easily be pulled off near several of the population centers here in Texas.
http://utahshootingsports.com/leekay.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just curious, and starting a conversation about it.

1. Is the Utah Fish and Game allowed to keep its proceeds or do the Utah F&G proceeds go into a General Fund to be used by the self-serving as it happens in Texas? Therein may lie part of the answer.

2. Why just the so-called population centers? We all pay our school and property taxes and F&G license as well as our DL and CHL fees, etc., etc. plus the land is cheaper and the inhabitants are nicer further away from Sodom and Gomorrah.

1) I don't know.

2) "Sodom and Gommorrah?" Really? You can take your rurual snobbery and stuff it.

I make the suggestion "near" population centers because you'd want the facilities to see a reasonable amount of use. I'm sure there are many counties populus enough to support such ranges that don't actually have population centers per se.

[Oldgringo]

2) "Sodom and Gommorrah?" Really? You can take your rurual snobbery and stuff it.

Having a bad are we, young fellow? Would it have been less offensive to you had I used the expression "major crime centers" instead of Sodom and Gomorrah?

[jamisjockey]

2) "Sodom and Gommorrah?" Really? You can take your rurual snobbery and stuff it.

Having a bad are we, young fellow? Would it have been less offensive to you had I used the expression "major crime centers" instead of Sodom and Gomorrah?

You're obviously trolling to get me to respond in a manner that might not be fitting to the standards of this board.

I'm sorry that we all can't live up to your standards of living in Small Town, USA. Because, drugs and crime could never happen in a small town.

Quick! Your high horse is getting away! Catch it!

[XinTX]

These sound more like excuses rather than reasons.

Build it and THEY will come. THEY will all sign releases and have personal gate passes and sign in procedures for which THEY will be held responsible. You know, kinda' like the Library and Civic Center and municipal swimming pool, tennis courts, etc., etc.

Since when did antis need anything more than excuses? Governments at all levels are full of elected and unelected officials that think no one should even own a gun, much less actually use one.

[Oldgringo]

Texas has great state parks, many with sufficient acreage to host public shooting ranges. Alas, Texas also has a gazillion dollar budget shortfall.