HUMBOLDT — Jeff Collins will be permitted to use a firing range at the southwest edge of Humboldt for concealed carry classes he instructs through his Crosshair gun shop.
But, the decision by Humboldt’s council Tuesday evening didn’t come quickly. City Attorney Fred Works had concerns.
The range, in a secluded area but in city limits, has been used by police officers to hone their skills. It also has been used by others, at their discretion.
Collins, police officer, and Chief of Police Brian Dillow initially proposed forming a gun club and upgrading the range through private donations and money raised by club dues.
Works said he wasn’t too keen on having a range in the city limits, noting codes prohibit discharging firearms in the city. It would be better out in the county, to minimize danger, he said.
Works also said there likely were zoning issues involved.
As discussion evolved, Collins said he had concealed carry classes scheduled every Saturday for several weeks and part of the class was live firing for an hour.
Several council members, trying to accommodate Collins, pieced together a motion to ignore zoning issues for 45 days, while liability and insurance concerns were considered. Also, as part of possible rezoning, neighbors within 200 feet of the range will be asked to comment.
While firing on the range into a bank of dirt is directed to the south, Camp Hunter Park is directly north of the range and homes are to the northeast. Those proximities gave Works pause, as did farm fields and Monarch Cement Co. activities to the south.
Collins said people on four-wheelers had damaged the range, some citizens apparently thought dirt meant to rebuild the shooting backstop was free for the taking and some trash had been dumped where only limbs and yard waste were supposed to be left.
For better control, council members decided a gate on a road leading to the range would be locked with anyone wanting access checking out a key at the water plant. That was done years ago but the practice was discontinued when duplicate keys were made by users, leaving the city with little control.
Shooting range concerns arise
