Farmers Branch Shoots Down Gun Range Plan
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FARMERS BRANCH (CBSDFW.COM) - Farmers Branch leaders have said no to a proposed gun range. The action comes after parents raised concerns about the location of the range, around 350 feet away from a private school. The vote came down just before midnight on Tuesday.
Parents who have children attending The Westwood School packed into City Hall on Tuesday night, wanting their voices to be heard. Many parents wore green -- the school color -- to show their support. They worried about the sound of gunfire so close to their kids, and the safety of the students.
"The common sense perspective is that guns and kids don't mix," said parent Jenina Smith.
A group of investors wanted to convert an old post office into a shooting range, and they stood behind their safety plans. But it all ended late Tuesday night when the city council voted against the idea.
"This building was built with one-inch thick walls. It's essentially bulletproof. It's essentially soundproof," said Greg Taggart at the Tuesday night meeting. He is one of the proposed gun range's investors. "This is safe. It's well thought out."
The Farmers Branch City Council talked at length about the issue, but ultimately agreed with parents that the proposed indoor gun range was simply too close to the campus. "I'm elated," said resident Heather Lourcey after the meeting. "I'm just glad for the school that we continue to do what we're supposed to be doing, which is educating the kids."
Supporters of the gun range said that it would have brought business to the city. It is not clear what will happen to the old post office now. City leaders want to work with the group of investors, and even offer economic incentives to bring the gun range to a different location.
"We're disappointed," added Taggart after the Tuesday night meeting. His group, Texas Legends, will be meeting to see where they will go next. "This was a rational land planning issue that morphed into a giant political mud ball."