Las Vegas NowMassive Gun Range Under Scrutiny From Nellis
Nellis says the park could possibly pose some danger to pilots in training.
"These homes were built before the gun range had gone in," said Tyson Wrensch.
Don Turner is manager of the shooting park. He says this is the first time Nellis has said anything about the park's location.There are growing concerns about a shooting park planned for the northwest part of town. Residents argue the gun range would be to close to their homes and schools. Now Nellis Air Force Base officials are questioning the use of guns that may be used there.
Home owners say the shooting park is too close to their homes. The back wall of one home is about a mile away from where the park is being built. Now Nellis says the park could possibly pose some danger to pilots in training.
The county says the park will stay as planned.
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Planes from Nellis Air Force Base are a welcome sight for residents like Tyson Wrensch. But it's not the noise from above that concerns him, it's the noise that would come from a new gun park being built near his home.
"These homes were built before the gun range had gone in. I can understand if there was a gun range already there, before the homes were built, we certainly would not have an issue," he said.
Wrensch is a gun owner, and now that Nellis has voiced some questions about the guns that will be allowed at the park, he says it's time to go back to the drawing board.
"We need to step back and form a group of people, a task force that consists of Nellis, the county, neighbors and school district reps," he said.
Nellis Air Force Base said in a statement, "We have multiple flight routes over the area, and it is important we retain that capability because growth across the valley has reduced the availability of alternate routes to the Nevada Test and Training Range. Nellis remains committed to working with the county to adopt the necessary safety modifications to develop the park compatibly with our mission."
Don Turner is manager of the shooting park. He says this is the first time Nellis has said anything about the park's location.
"They've been a part of the project. We contacted the in 2000. Matter of fact, the Nellis people are the ones who suggested this area. In 2003, we had someone from Nellis who actually helped design these ranges. They know, and we knew," he said.
But Wrensch and his neighbors they say they didn't know and hope it's just the noises of the planes they hear instead of gun fire.
The county and Nellis say they will keep talking and make sure there are no safety issues for residents. People who live here hope to be a part of those talks. There is a meeting later this month that residents can attend and address some of their concerns.
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