HERRIMAN, Utah (ABC 4 News) – A proposed gun range has angry citizens taking aim at the city of Herriman. They’re concerned about the proximity the proposed range will be from their Juniper Point neighborhood.
The sound of gunfire from Herriman’s proposed gun range could make life on Quiet Glen Drive anything but for the Howells. Julie and Henry Howell live just over a mile away from the proposed gun range. While they’re not against gun ranges, they say, this one is just too close to home.
Henry Howell said, "All the gun ranges in the area are jammed packed. They're always full. You have to wait in line to get a lane and so if they put in a hundred lanes I have a feeling most of them will be used open to close."
Noise isn't their only concern; the safety of their children is priority number one.
Julie Howell said, "As a mom I tend to worry about my kids at school and hearing the guns all day long and walking to and from school, I always have it in my mind, are they safe, are they going to be okay."
"There is a chance for a stray bullet. It doesn't happen very often but how can you say it will never happen,” explained Henry Howell.
Herriman officials say the gun range plans only have shooters firing away from the city.
Spokesperson Nicole Martin said, "Nothing is shot towards the northern direction towards the city, and everything is shot in a southerly direction into the existing mountain."
If the plan moves forward the city says they'll take every means to ensure the resident's concern over noise is taken care of.
“They have all committed that they would look at noise mitigation including building up of burms, perhaps the lowering of the range, landscape that would be put into place,” explained Martin.
That may be enough to please the majority of the residents who are in favor of the gun range, but for the Howells it's still a great idea but the wrong location.
Julie Howell said, "We are not opposed to guns. We think it would be wonderful to have a gun range in Herriman, we're just opposed to this location."
The city council will be taking a look at the proposal and deciding whether or not to move forward with it at their meeting Thursday night. Friday afternoon the Howells and other residents plan on handing out fliers to parents out in front of the local elementary school.
For more information log on to www.changetherange.com
