Machine Guns, Horses, Alcohol?
Does this sound like a recipe for disaster to you? That is the request coming before the Board of County Commissioners at their Tuesday, November 17th public hearing.
At this week’s Planning and Zoning Commission’s public hearing, David Tillman as agent for Douglas Ray Marcum, requested a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a private membership shooting range on a 10-acre parcel in a quiet rural neighborhood that abuts the Indian Lake State Forest, and its very popular equestrian trails. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the SUP at their October 26th public hearing.
Machine Guns Until Midnight
According to the public testimony given at the hearing, there are no restrictions on the types of guns used. This means that even machine guns are allowed. And it’s going to be loud! Also, once a month, night shooting until 12 AM was requested!
“If you shoot off a 360 or if you shoot off an AR-15, you better have earplugs in because you will not be able to hear for another 20 to 30 minutes,” said Kenneth Odum, senior planner for Growth Services.
Horses and Gunfire Are a Dangerous Mix
Mr. Odum mentioned an area of concern was the horse trails within Indian Lake State Forest. The entire southern border of the property and the shooting range are adjacent to the state forest. But he further stated, that the trails were not in the line of fire (48.20).
The horses will be glad to hear that news!
Horses can be startled by sudden, explosive sounds, potentially putting riders, horses, and other trail users at risk. Even if the trails are outside the line of fire, that does not eliminate the impact of intense gunfire immediately adjacent to the forest.
There are 11 miles of designated horse trails at Indian Lake, which also links to the Silver River Forest Conservation Area.
Alcohol Permitted on Site
As to alcohol consumption during shooting, one of the Planning & Zoning Commissioners asked if “drink and shoot” was allowed (1.09.00) “You can do that at just about any range you want to go to as Mr. Tillman indicated, that is quite the pastime at the one on the eastern portion of the County,” stated Mr. Odum.
While Mr. Tillman assured the volunteer Planning and Zoning Commissioners that safety would be the priority, he also acknowledged that alcohol would be allowed at the facility (1.12.35).
“As far as the drinking is concerned, I won’t say that alcohol won’t ever get consumed on the site, but I will say that you will not be drinking or drunk while out there shooting a firearm.” stated Mr. Tillman.
Community Concerns
One of the adjacent landowners who has lived in the quiet rural community for nearly 60 years was concerned about the sound and the late-night shooting.
“Night shooting – really? This is not a bar – I live there,” said Dr. Shashikarshe.
Questions or Comments?
Horse Farms Forever® has issued a Watchdog Alert as we continue to monitor and review this application. Please let us know your questions and/or comments on this pending special use permit.
ATTEND:
Marion County Board of County Commissioners public hearing on Tuesday, November 17th at 2:00 PM at the McPherson Governmental Campus auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala, FL.
Horse Farms Forever® Mission Statement
It is the vision and mission of Horse Farms Forever® to inspire conservation of horse farms through education, awareness, and idea exchange so as to preserve natural pasture land focusing on horses and their habitats, to protect soil and water on which they depend, and to minimize land use conflicts in Marion County, Florida.
Horses, horse farms, and the horse industry create the “character and culture” that define Marion County. The aim of Horse Farms Forever® is to raise awareness and education to ensure that this “sense of place” is protected for future generations.
The purpose of Horse Farms Forever® is to be watchful of government and others in actions pertaining to the character and culture that horses and the Farmland Preservation Area make unique to Marion County. That includes strategies to preserve horse farms and pastureland, especially in the Farmland Preservation Area, for future generations.
Horse Farms Forever® is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a charitable organization and approved as a tax-exempt 501 (c)-(3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service. Horse Farms Forever does not have a political mission. Our status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization does not allow us to participate or intervene in political activities. The organization will neither advocate on behalf of political candidates nor advocate for the passage of legislation.