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Commissioners decline metal targets at county rifle range, direct berm improvements
Summary
After County Attorney Vic Pearson reminded the board of a 2012 lawsuit over ricocheting steel targets that reached the state Supreme Court, Franklin County commissioners agreed not to add metal targets, instructed the Road Department to build up the pistol‑range berm, and asked that the .22 area be extended to 100 feet.
County Attorney Vic Pearson told the Franklin County Commission on May 27 that a 2012 lawsuit concerning ricocheting steel targets adjacent to the county rifle range ultimately reached the state Supreme Court and resulted in conditions requiring the county to improve berms annually and operate the range as currently designated. Based on that history, Pearson recommended against permitting metal targets.
"The case ended up going to the Supreme Court," Pearson said, explaining the previous litigation's outcome required continuing berm improvements. After discussion, commissioners agreed not to add metal targets to the rifle range. They directed Manager Kevin Olsen to have the Road Department crew build up the pistol‑range berm and to extend the .22 rifle area to 100 feet.
The minutes show the county will continue incremental safety improvements rather than adopt the proposed metal‑target proposal; the record notes ICRMP did not assist with the 2012 lawsuit. The board's decision is framed as a precaution grounded in prior litigation and an emphasis on engineering controls (berms) rather than changing target materials at this site.
