Farragut Park Range Lawsuit
12.02.06Attention north Idahoans. Here is a letter from Dave Leptich, Idaho Fish and Game General Manager for the development of the new shooting range at Farragut state park.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be responding to a law suit regarding current and future use of the Farragut Shooting Range. The suit threatens to close the range on the basis of noise and safety next week. I believe the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has a solid case based on its actions, empirical evidence and expert testimony. It is my view the Department has complied with Idaho State law and taken reasonable steps to address public concerns regarding the range.
I expect the outcome of the trial will be determined as a matter of fact and law through due process and on no other basis. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has approached this case based on the premise that public resource management decisions should be made on the basis of evidence and not emotion. My suggestion to have people show up at the court hearing dressed in support of the range went counter to the Department’s approach to issues of this nature.
Many range supporters have asked me how they can support the range and I appreciate that support. I also understand and appreciate the concerns of local residents who oppose the range. It was inappropriate for me to suggest that supporters wear NRA logo gear, camouflage, or hunter orange at the trial to silently communicate their support of the range. My suggestion was not reviewed or approved by the Department. A formal legal proceeding is not the place for introducing an aspect of support based on emotions. I was wrong to suggest it and I apologize for that misjudgment. I hope that those people who intended to make a show of support by attending the court hearing and through their choice of clothing or other means will refrain from doing so, and let the Justice system work as it is supposed to – relying on the facts and law.
Respectfully
David Leptich
Farragut Park is the only reasonable place to have a range of this size. Lets make it happen.
Guns don’t kill people - bullets in guns not kept away from idiots and children do. I believe that men who like to shoot firearms for fun probably have sexual difficulties. Just my opinion.
# December 7th, 2006 at 11:29 pmThats very interesting, Cynthia. And do you supposed we should send the bullets to prison when they kill people?
As far as your silly belief… It seems it is quite the opposite to some.
And if you live on First St in Bayview, then you really don’t live all that close to the range. So you really don’t have anything to complain about. It just comes back to C.A.R.E. being a bunch of anti-gunners.
# December 8th, 2006 at 9:52 amChad, You are obviously uninformed about this issue and the real reasons for the opposition to the range expansion. Personally.I have sacrificed many years of my life to the defense of the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms. I testified before the U.S. Senate on the behalf of the American Citizens” right to bear arms.” which I assume you claim to support as well ? .I am also one of the founding members of CARE, a former member of the NRA, and a gun and sword collector. Another co founder of CARE, runs a gun equipment company and most all of CARE members own guns…However, we do not shoot in or kitchen or backyards . Safety and respect for our neighbors are a priortiy. Perhaps, you should arm yourself with the facts instead of rumors and inuendos before you come out shooting. Arm your brain then fire off your mouth.
# December 9th, 2006 at 4:31 pmBob F
Sounds like another emotionally charged response.
You testified before the US Senate on behalf of the second amendment? what exactly does that mean? Can I do that as well? It’d look good on my resume, as well as give me bragging rights on the internet.
Bob, I’m pretty sure that safety and respect are taken into concern in this project. If there is anything more scrutinized than shooting range construction/expansion, please let me know.
And I can tell by your sassiness, that you are very emotional about this issue. Take a deep breath, take your meds, and come on back. Then you can type out all of the facts that you have armed in your brain, and enlighten us all.
# December 9th, 2006 at 7:37 pmChad- There are volumes of documentation and testimony which would take far too much space for this exchange. The Farragut Range Expansion plan does not follow the NRA national guidelines for safety construction nor the US military requirements for safety. They are not even close. What makes you believe that any governmental body would follow the rules of safety, to protect the people’s lives?
You and I agree on gun ownership .
We disagree as to where a large range should be located.
Chad. We invite you to the courtroom next week to hear it all for yourself.
Bob Fletcher
# December 9th, 2006 at 8:47 pmAh yes. The militia of Montana Bob Fletcher. I do recall reading some on you in the past.
Now, in your belief… Is this range expansion a matter of safety or govt conspiracy?
As much as I support the range development, I don’t so greatly care for it that I would sacrifice what little time I do have with my family, to sit around the courtroom hearing your volumes of documentation and testimonies. But I do what I can with the 101st fightin keyboards
# December 10th, 2006 at 11:05 am