We are a non-political, grassroots group of property owners and residents of Walton Road, Ange Road, Three Chopt, and dozens of adjoining roads, who share a common concern that the proposed shooting range poses adverse impact on our neighborhood, including sound pollution, lead contamination, increased traffic on unpaved (hardtop) roads, and property devaluation.

 

Contrary to public opinion, we actually aren't politically motivated or even necessarily against firearms. 

Our cohort of neighbors range from very conservative to very liberal. We are hunters, homesteaders, young families, environmentalists, veterans, retirees, artists, blue-collar, white-collar, and everything in between. We differ on many things, but we have always striven to be good neighbors to each other. I've personally lived on this road for 25 years, but other neighbors have been here anywhere from 6 months to 60 years.

Despite other differences, we share a mutual concern that a public-use range operating 365 days a year, 8-12 hours per day, on a relatively small parcel of land with virtually no distance buffering brings noise pollution, lead concerns, and property devaluation, among other issues. This is a narrow 85-acre parcel we are talking about -- not the 600+ acres that Orapax had approved under tight conditions and after fierce public debate in 2013.

With this proposed development, the closest existing house is ~200 feet from the property line and ~600 feet from the closest proposed shooting station. Has it become the "Goochland way" to trample the property rights of existing families, their sanctuaries and financial investment, simply to satisfy the desires of a developer who never bothered to speak with neighbors in the 2+ years he has been planning this?

This isn't about second amendment rights. It's about property rights. We have the right to enjoy birthday parties and holiday celebrations in the backyard without shouting over tournament gunfire. We have the right to use our well water for our children, pets, and livestock without wondering if or when it will be contaminated with lead. We have the right to enjoy our homes free from the persistent gunfire of a public-use range.

Many of us think VSP's plan is an interesting one for Goochland, but a good idea does not justify a bad location. A public-use gun range does not belong next to family homes.

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