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Residents urge noise limits at Fuller Mill Road gun range as commissioners debate regulation
Summary
Residents told the Randolph County Board of Commissioners they are seeking noise limits and sound barriers at the Fuller Mill Road gun range, saying the facility’s activity disturbs nearby properties; commissioners discussed regulatory risks but took no immediate action.
Several county residents urged Randolph County commissioners on Tuesday to impose noise limits or require sound barriers at the Fuller Mill Road gun range, saying they want peaceful use of their properties without restricting lawful shooting.
"We are simply wanting some peace and quiet on our own properties," said Amy Wang (speaker 7) during the public comment period, who also disputed a widely repeated claim that the range had existed since 1979, saying satellite photos indicate construction in 2001.
Isaac Hoffman (speaker 8) told commissioners that other local governments have adopted restrictions on gun discharge and zoning for ranges and asked the board to "find the political will" to act. "Stop placing the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness to a single citizen over the right... of over 70 local residents," Hoffman said.
Fritz Wang (speaker 9) said he was not asking for closure, limits on hours, or restrictions on weapons or membership, but only "to place a limit on the noise level coming from the gun range" and offered to draft a proposed change to the unified development ordinance (UDO) to address the problem.
Commissioner (speaker 10), who said he had visited the site, cautioned that changing regulation is complicated and could have unintended effects elsewhere in the county. "I don't have the will at all as a member of this board to add regulations to what I perceive... as a legal entity," he said, indicating reluctance to pursue immediate regulatory action.
The board did not take formal action at the meeting. Commissioners noted the topic has been discussed previously and that residents, planning staff and other local governments have weighed in; several commissioners said they would continue to consider options but no ordinance or vote was scheduled.
The Fuller Mill Road issue remains on county leaders' radar: residents present asked for a noise standard or sound barriers rather than restrictions on shooting activity, and at least one commissioner said the complexity of zoning changes makes a quick fix unlikely.
