Posted on 07/27/2019 9:28:28 AM PDT by Impala64ssa
County Commissioner Steve Champion says the Withlacoochee State Forest would make a good home.
BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County commissioners are thinking about adding a new adventure to their Adventure Coast tourism campaign — a public gun range possibly in the Withlacoochee State Forest.
Commissioners on Tuesday gave their unanimous support for their staff to begin investigating how to secure state approval and federal dollars through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act.
The idea came from Commissioner Steve Champion, who pointed out that Hernando County has no public gun ranges where enthusiasts can shoot their guns and experts can provide hunter education. The federal program provides 90 percent funding of such facilities from money collected from excise taxes from the sale of firearms and ammunition.
Champion said he had himself hoped to build an indoor range on property that he owns but the $2 million investment was out of reach.
Champion, the owner of American Gun and Pawn in Brooksville, was called out for what could appear to be a self-serving project. County resident Bob Detwiler raised questions about whether Champion had a conflict of interest as a gun shop owner.
"Commissioner Champion on many occasions at events being introduced as Commissioner Champion has no problem promoting his gun shop business,'' he wrote in an email to county attorney Garth Coller. "That for one is very unethical as public official using his position to benefit his business for financial gain.''
As for promoting a gun range to be built in the county with public funds, he said Champion no doubt believes it "would definitely benefit his business in the long run,'' Detwiler wrote.
But at Tuesday's meeting, Coller said the law on conflict of interest was clear and that Champion would have to gain personally from the move for him to recuse himself from voting. Since there was no personal gain, he would not be allowed to declare a conflict of interest or refuse to vote.
There are no admitted gun grabbers in Hernando County.
my club is working on this using State funds:
https://www.dailycamera.com/2019/07/24/boulder-rifle-club-puts-expansion-plans-on-the-table/
No, but there is a Hernando Cty Democrat Club. Funny their office is always closed whenever I drive by it :). They would’ve saved $$$ leasing a phone booth.
I have a mental image of liberals foaming at the mouth in a padded room.
Nice. We already have a public shooting range in the Osceola National Forest in North Florida. Great place to keep in practice. Everyone is courteous and helpful.
About a mile south of my Florida house, on US 41, there is a privately operated shooting range in a building that was a cabinet shop.
It seems to be doing a good level of business.
pretty much closed up shop when Trump was elected.
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