I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed approval of a public gun range on public land designated for industrial use near our community and managed by the Edenton -Chowan Partnership. While the land is technically zoned for industrial activities, the establishment of a public gun range here poses significant and unacceptable risks to the quality of life and safety of the surrounding residential areas.
The most immediate concern is noise pollution. A gun range, even with mitigation measures, generates intense, repetitive noise that will travel far beyond the industrial boundary, disrupting the peace and quiet of nearby homes, Places of Worship, and farms. This constant noise will severely degrade the living environment, affecting property values and the ability of residents to enjoy their own properties.
Furthermore, there are serious safety and environmental risks. Bullet containment failures, accidental discharges, and lead contamination of the soil and water table are all possibilities that an industrial zone never fully accounts for in its zoning standards. Locating such a facility in proximity to populated areas, including families and children, introduces a level of danger and liability that is simply unwarranted.
The use of this public land should prioritize uses that either support existing industrial activity without community impact or, better yet, be reserved for future uses that benefit the community—not detract from it. The public good and the well-being of the residents must outweigh the interests of establishing a public for profit gun range in this unsuitable location.
Joe Angelucci
Edenton
Editor’s Note: Worth noting, the next meeting of the Edenton-Chowan Partnership will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in Town Council Chambers.
5 responses to “Letter: Opposition to Public Gun Range on Edenton-Chowan Partnership Managed Industrial-Zoned Land”
Absolutely agree !! We thank our local journalist, Miles Layton, who 1st broke the story of our community leaders negotiating this proposed sale of the gun range without ANY notifications or input from surrounding residents.
I would like to say that – if you have not seen the projected build and layout as well as the noise survey that – I believe has been accomplished- How can you weigh in on this item?
With proper sound reduction materials – the sound would be minimal- as for stray rounds and safety- currently that is shooters judgement-
with the walls and sound barriers – that to would be minimized.
But you are correct – without proper modeling of the range – getting anyone to move into the industrial part – will be a chore. Who wants a industrial office with possible bullets- going astray or the constant sound of rounds being fired
You already live adjacent to an industrial area which you were aware existed when you moved there and accepted the risks that accompany it as well!! A gun range in this area will not cause significant or even minimal noise or risk to anyone as the population that would patronize it is minimal because of the location in the middle of no where!!! Live and Let Live!!!!! Abatement measures will vanquish your concerns!!!!!
I am in agreement with this article. Our community deserves better than what ECP is offering us for development.
Closed door sessions, tossing concerned citizens out of meetings, no public hearings for a change to an area that is sporadic by few to an everyday use by many.
The placement of this proposed public range does not meet the normal safety standards from residence, roads and other buildings.
It is proposed to shoot up to fifty caliber weaponry.
To my knowledge, and I have asked, there have been no environmental or economic impact studies conducted. No one on the board of the ECP has disclosed if they have worked with any state agencies which would be required normally to include a build out like this in a community.
From my read of state statutes, the placement of this public range in this industrial park would be considered illegal.
Neither the EPD nor the Sheriff’s office is in support of a project that would delay their use of the range for training and certification processes.
The greater public good is not being considered in what appears to be a quiet back room deal the the ECP tried to hide from the Town and County residents.
This should not be approved.
[…] Joseph Angelucci, drawing on his background in various fields, outlined the need for comprehensive ordinances if the sale were to proceed. […]