Petition Against Proposed Big Iron Outdoors Firing Range Design/Location

Big Iron Outdoors (located on R33, Ruckersville) wants to build a 20 lane open-air shooting range within 0.3 miles of local churches and within 0.5 miles of over 160 homes. It is also only 1.6 miles from the local elementary school with approximately 600 students and about 0.5 miles from the business center of Ruckersville. The closest neighboring property, which is planned for residential growth, is only 30 feet away from the proposed range!

This petition specifically opposes the proposed shooting range design/location on the basis the risk to public safety, significantly increased impulse noise pollution, environmental/ground water impact, quality of life impact and the obvious negative impact on property values/tax revenues.

We recognize and support the need for a safe shooting sports facility in Greene County, however approving this particular open-air shooting range design so close to so many homes and businesses would be contrary to the Greene County Comprehensive Plan, basic good sense, and will cost much more to the county and neighbors than it could ever contribute. The applicants own a much larger and better-suited property further to the west of the town center, which makes it even harder to accept their desire to place a new range in such close proximity to so many homes mainly for their own convenience.