Posted: Saturday, January 7, 2017
As a resident of
Richmond, I was concerned about the shooting range proposed for
Winchester and its potential influence on our region. I attended the
public hearing on Dec. 15 and what I learned convinced me that it would
be a huge mistake.
Only paid consultants spoke on behalf of the shooting range, and they did not impress me.
The sound expert described noise
pollution as if it were solely a function of relative loudness. As a
nurse, I’m aware that scientists and medical researchers have
established that it’s the combination of sound’s texture, frequency,
duration and decibel level that determines how noise can harm our mental
and physical health. It makes scientific sense, and common sense, that
exposure to steady, pulsing gunfire all day long, at even at a low
level, will damage people’s health.
When Ridgeline’s “eminent” expert
noted that people complained about noise he had deemed acceptable, he
said” “That’s the way people are. I can’t address that.” I was
flabbergasted that he had the nerve to respond so nonchalantly.
Imagine a doctor or nurse saying that when a patient complained about
pain?
Their lawyer acted so
self-important. In his letter he had falsely suggested that “all
shooting positions” would be protected by rails that hold down gun
barrels to prevent wild shots. He must have been trying to put one over
on the board, because surely he knew, but conveniently forgot, that a
central part of his client’s proposal is to have “action shooting” —
customers running around with a gun in their hands and shooting rapidly
in a free-style manner.
Those who spoke against the range were clear, prepared and powerful.
Although distressful to view, I
was glad that the photo-expert Paul Taylor showed videos Ridgeline had
posted online, many of which are still up on Ridgeline’s site:
slaughtering of pigs with a machine gun; John Wayne picking off riders
in a bicycle race; and someone following women around and secretly
filming their backsides. Why post this kind of stuff on your business
website? Why try to attract customers who indulge in hate-based
feelings? The proposed lack of morality is frightening.
Most important was the
presentation on safety by the NRA-certified range designer, ballistics
expert and shooting coach Ray Roberts. His NRA safety diagrams and
examples from his own experience convinced me that the proposal for the
Ashuelot location is substandard and dangerous.
It’s clear that the proposed
range will be dangerous and will adversely effect the whole community,
perhaps the whole region. The Winchester board already has the evidence
it needs to deny this company the special exemption to zoning law that
it is requesting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
Sincerely,
CAY DILELLO
Richmond
WOW, even the out of town people get it.
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