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Alamance County residents urge action after stray rounds from nearby shooting range; county attorney to propose ordinance
Summary
Residents testified that projectiles from the Rad Range have struck trees, outbuildings and entered homes; the range owner disputed some claims. The board directed County Attorney Rich Stevens to present ordinance options and range standards at the January meeting.
Residents living near a privately run shooting range told the Alamance County Board of Commissioners that stray bullets and ricochets have put nearby families and property at risk, prompting the board to request legal options for tighter range oversight.
Samantha Powell, who said she lives 0.2 miles from the range, told commissioners she and her husband recorded rapid automatic gunfire and a ricochet that she said whizzed past her six‑month‑pregnant body and two small children. "If something isn't done soon to address the safety concerns at this range, someone will get hurt," Powell said.
Multiple neighbors described property damage and persistent safety fears. Paul Capps said projectiles were still leaving the range and that a 50‑caliber bullet penetrated a bedroom ceiling on McCray Road. Don Foster and Butch McKenzie described bullets found on patios, shot‑out trees and removal of 'no trespassing' signs on adjoining parcels. Attorney Joseph Shuford, representing Howard and Patricia Dunn, told the board that bullets had damaged the Dunns' trees and prevented them from safely using their property.
The range owner, Rick Karkassee of Rad Industries, disputed claims that a 50‑caliber rifle from his facility caused the reported damage. He said acquisition and transfer records do not match the dates of the incidents and that the range maintains cameras and logs. "The books don't lie," Karkassee said, arguing ballistics and acquisition records show the rifle in question could not have been involved.
County Attorney Rich Stevens acknowledged the number of complaints and said he would present an ordinance drafted last April as well as other range‑design options used by neighboring counties. Stevens told the board he will return in January with proposals, but cautioned that legal questions remain about applying new ordinances to existing facilities and whether a grandfathering argument could block retrospective requirements.
Commissioners also discussed enforcement limits: the board cannot direct the sheriff to make arrests and noted that criminal enforcement would rest with law enforcement. Several commissioners urged an investigation and asked staff to provide background information on ordinances used by Caswell and Lincoln counties.
Next steps: the county attorney will present ordinance options at the board's January meeting; staff said they will continue to collect evidence and work with residents while exploring funding and enforcement avenues. No immediate regulatory action was taken at this meeting.
