Community advocates urge action on gun range noise pollution solutions

During the recent Randolph County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 2, 2025, community concerns regarding noise pollution from a local gun range took center stage. Residents expressed frustration over the lack of communication and action from the board regarding what they described as a public nuisance affecting their quality of life.

One resident, Stephen Claude, highlighted potential solutions to mitigate the noise, suggesting that simple materials like cloth or silicone-coated barriers could be effective. He emphasized that the gun range has the financial capacity to implement sound barriers, noting that they had $188,000 in cash reserves at the end of 2024. Claude urged the board to engage with the community and explore these solutions collaboratively.

Residents have also taken proactive steps by placing signs in their yards to raise awareness about the noise issue. Claude, speaking on behalf of fellow residents Amy Wang and her husband Fritz, called for the board to fulfill its responsibility to protect constituents and consider community input in decision-making processes.

The meeting concluded with a call for better communication between the gun range operators and the affected residents, as well as a plea for the board to take action to address the ongoing concerns. The discussions reflect a growing need for local government to engage with residents on issues that directly impact their daily lives, fostering a more responsive and responsible governance approach.