Letter: Shooting range near school is bad idea

To the community,

Usually once or twice a week I have the privilege of driving my children to their elementary school. A very special school nestled in rolling green hills and under the shadows of century-old oak trees. Sometimes it feels a bit like driving back in time. Shingle Springs is a uniquely beautiful place to raise a family.

However, it appears this utopic environment of ours is about to change. The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is planning to build a 29-lane outdoor commercial gun range with a tactical shoot house. The gun range would be 1,000 yards from Buckeye Elementary School, California Montessori Project Elementary, and Discovery Hills Church. It borders countless family residences and runs along Highway 50. The El Dorado Community Trail is directly adjacent to the proposed gun range. This trail is used for horseback riding, biking and nature walks.

This issue is complex and sensitive. Tribal land is sovereign. Safety and noise ordinances do not apply to Indian sovereign land. The gun range is not subject to approval, review or oversight. The tribe sets it own rules and can change them at will.

I believe I’m a reasonable person. I’m a veteran, a gun owner and a taxpayer. Most important, I’m a husband and a dad. I don’t think a gun range at this location is right for our children or community. Is it unreasonable to be concerned about the sound of gunfire on my children’s playground? Is it unreasonable to be concerned about a stray bullet zipping though residential property or our highway?

Is it unreasonable to ask the Miwok tribe to consider the community’s safety and well-being and move the gun range to a more appropriate location?

More information, go online.

Alex Sheridan, Pollock Pines