The Owen County Board of Commissioners on Thursday set aside consideration of a proposed ordinance that would regulate shooting facilities in the county after extended public testimony from range operators, nearby landowners and public-safety officials.

County officials said they will not vote on the ordinance for now and instead will arrange site visits and a community meeting to gather more information. The commissioners said they want to avoid a rushed decision and resolve safety and jurisdiction questions first.

The issue drew several speakers, including Jim Schreid, president of the Sycamore Valley Gun Club, who urged the county to reject the measure as “a solution in search of a problem.” Schreid said his club follows established safety practices and warned the ordinance could be “weaponized against lawful citizens, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses.” He also told the commission the measure could conflict with state law and prompt costly litigation, citing Indiana Code IC 35-47-11.1 and the federal court case Ezell v. City of Chicago as legal concerns.

Local resident Will (last name not provided in transcript) told the commission he has repeatedly received arrows and other projectiles from a nearby archery range and described multiple incidents he said have affected his campground and property. Will said he had sought help from the sheriff’s office and the DNR without success and asked the county to take action to stop projectiles from crossing property lines. Commissioners responded by arranging a group site visit that would include the range operator, nearby neighbors, sheriff’s representatives and other stakeholders.

County deputies and other public-safety officials said safety was the top concern. Commissioners emphasized they are reluctant to adopt a broad ordinance that could expose the county to legal risk or unduly restrict constitutionally protected firearms activities, and they asked staff to analyze the legal framework before bringing any ordinance back for a vote.

President Hobbs said the ordinance would be left “for further notice” while the county coordinates the proposed site visits and a public meeting so neighbors and range operators can explore practical fixes such as changes to range construction or operational practices.

The commissioners also discussed alternatives to a county ordinance, including county nuisance actions and civil remedies available to landowners. Several speakers urged the commission to consider targeted remedies for specific problems — for example, addressing an archery range that has allegedly sent arrows onto adjacent property — rather than adopting an ordinance that would regulate multiple types of shooting activities.

For now, the proposed ordinance is postponed and the county will pursue a fact-finding approach that includes on-site inspections and follow-up discussion with stakeholders.

Ending: The commissioners asked county staff to coordinate the site visit and a public meeting and to return with a report and legal analysis before any ordinance is resubmitted for formal action.