Support Boulder County Shooting Range

Coloradans have always relied on firearms for self defense and recreation. In Boulder County, the small number of shooting ranges limits residents' ability to learn to use firearms safely. A recent proposal allowing public access to the Longmont police range would create more opportunity for residents to practice safe shooting.

While the first priority of the city's range would be the training of our police force, public access could be accommodated with no inconvenience to our officers. A reasonable user fee would defray some of the costs associated with the ongoing maintenance of the facility and, if hunter safety programs use the range as well, the city of Longmont could leverage up to 75% of the cost of construction through the federal Pittman-Robertson Act. With the dual benefits of increased safety and lower costs, public access to the proposed range could be a win-win for taxpayers.

Additionally, by placing the shooting range in a vacant industrial building, we can create a permanent training facility for the Boulder County Sherriff's office and preserve the other outdoor property site for agriculture and open space uses. An indoor facility would be a tremendous resource for our community.

The public use of a Longmont police firing range will foster safe, responsible use of firearms and create safer communities in Boulder County. The Longmont City Council should approve an indoor shooting range and allow public access to the facility.