UPDATE - 2/12/20 - Video and half a loaf

The video of Monday's Commission Work Session was posted earlier this morning.  It went pretty much as expected based on the presentation included in the agenda.  The pertinent parts run from 15:25 to 36:59.



So, public hours will tentatively resume on March 15th.  The public hours will be

Friday 5p to 9p

Saturday 9a to 7p

Sunday 9a to 7p

Monday 5p to 9p 

Like a lot of ranges these days, you’ll have to watch a video, sign a waiver and get a card. It's thought that all 4 ranges will be open but nothing concrete on that front yet.  Also nothing concrete on the training programs and leagues.  It's hard to have an Education and Training Center without education and training but know that it will take some time to re-build that part of the business at the range.

And yes, it will be FREE to the public just like all the other Wildlife ranges. 

At this writing it's been 28 days since the public last fired a shot in the WCFETC but as of now, in less than 30 days there is a plan on the table involving State and County agencies to open it back up. Commissioner Holmes notes (26:03) that this is "particularly for government, exceptionally quick turnaround".  She's right about that.

2/11/20 - Still on track

Not yet having to been able to view either the livestream OR the archive video, many of us are still a little in the dark on the actual happenings at Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting.  All reports are that the proposed plan to re-open the range to the public is proceeding and that the proposed opening date of March 15 is still on track.  Like a lot of ranges these days, you’ll have to watch a video, sign a waiver and get a card.  More details will follow as they become available. 

The next and possibly final bureaucratic hurdle for awhile is the Commissioners next week.  It’s projected that the necessary contracts and agreements will be agreed to and signed at that meeting. Once all that's behind us, the work of putting the public hours and training schedules back together again will begin in earnest. We’ll know more in the days ahead.

Good news it seems. 

UPDATE - 2/6/20 - Sheriff Baker provides a reason to be optimistic

This morning, Sheriff Baker gave a "State of the Sheriff" speech.  It announced some important promotions within the WCSO, some discussion of clearing a permitting backlog and this tidbit about the Wake Range:

In December, Baker abruptly cut ties with a private contractor running the Wake County Firearm Education and Training Center outside Holly Springs, alleging the center was not making enough money.

The sheriff had planned to close the center to the public and convert it to a law enforcement firing range only, but Wake County Manager David Ellis soon announced the county would take control and consider public access.

On Thursday, Baker said he looks forward to working with the county staff and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to opening it again.  (Emphasis mine)

Seems like the Sheriff is cool with working with the Wildlife Resources Commission and re-opening the range.  That's really good news for the return of public hours.

Keep watching to see how it all turns out.


Full article at the Herald Sun  -  https://www.heraldsun.com/news/local/crime/article240035038.html

And more at CBS17 - https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/wake-county-news/wake-county-sheriff-gerald-baker-reflects-on-1st-year-in-office-announces-2-historic-promotions/

And more still at the N&O
-  https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article240041618.html


 

Read more here: https://www.heraldsun.com/news/local/crime/article240035038.html#storylink=cpy

1/18/20 - Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.

This sign has been there since at least yesterday morning.  It took over 3 weeks to change the public website but they got that sign up in four days. 

UPDATE 1/13/2020 - Goodnight RSM - Public operations of WCFETC cease until further notice.

It's not hard, after watching the video of the work group of the Wake County Commissioners, to conclude that the fix is in and in fact has been for awhile.  RSM was treated like yesterday's news, the Sheriff is the highest priority for most if not all the Commissioners, the NC Wildlife Commission rode in on a white horse to save the day for the public except they're going to have to find out from the WCSO which days they can save first.   Further, it's not clear whether or not the Wildlife Commission will be teaching CCH classes, NRA classes, hosting leagues or even fielding the "1 RO per range policy" that RSM adhered to.  Does my WCFETC card still get me into the range during whatever public hours are allowed? What about my annual membership payment - do I get a refund? When and how will I know when the range is again open to the public? So many questions...

One thing that as of this evening is clear, the thousands-member family that was the Wake Range and RSM is over.  The range as most know it will cease operations tomorrow, Jan 14th at 9pm. Damn shame that.  Those people, that place, those times constituted a sense of community that those who are fond of publically preaching about "the community" can only aspire to.  Respectful gratitude is due to Fred, Fritz and Eric, the owners of RSM, for (almost) 20 years of service and fun for the shooters of the entire region.

ABC11 is reporting that Kyle Briggs, deputy director for N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has made the following statement:

"A partnership is truly a joint activity where we're not being paid for our services. We're providing this to the public," said chief deputy director for NCWRC Kyle Briggs. "Obviously, our shooting ranges that we operate are always free to the public to use. So that would be our goal in this partnership."

If we are to take Sheriff Baker's requirement that the public hours be profitable to the county seriously, charging the public $0 an hour as opposed to the $12 an hour the range get's now (that's cheap btw) is going to be an accounting nighmare for someone. Should be interesting...

There will of course be more to report over the next several weeks (and probably months) as we learn how and when the range will again open to the public.  If you want to keep up with events then hit the email subscription link in the right hand column.  We'll let you know what happens as we find out ourselves.

UPDATE: 1/9/20 - Wake County gun range vendor fires back at sheriff’s claim

As Mr. Stough so adroitly points out, it's hard to make a business profitable when you have absolutely no control over anything affecting profitability.





Nicely done, Fred.

HT: Holden Kurwicki

12/18/2019 - Initial WRAL Story

County manager says Wake County will take over control of gun range

Posted December 18
Updated 10:38 p.m. Friday 

Apex, N.C. — The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday it will shut down a local shooting range next month because of financial concerns.
But on Friday night, WRAL learns that county leaders now say "not so fast."
Sheriff Gerald Baker canceled the contract for the Wake Firearms Training Center in Apex, citing it lost money. Members of the public started a petition, and on Friday, County Manger David Ellis informed the sheriff that the county would take over control of the facility.
The manager says the county will find a balance between public and law enforcement use.
The sheriff's office has decided not to renew its contract with the Wake County Firearms Education and Training Center, which provided firearms training to the public.
Officials are working with the range's operator, Range Safety Management LLC, to honor classes scheduled through Jan. 5, authorities said.
Sheriff Baker said the contract with RSM wasn't renewed because the range at 3921 Old Holly Springs Apex Road in Apex, was losing so much money that the sheriff's office had to subsidize its operations for the last seven years.
Also, a financial review found that fees and funds collected by RSM weren't accounted for accurately, he said.
RSM operators were notified of the move this week.
Last month, a civilian firearms instructor at the range shot himself in the leg while holstering his gun, authorities said.
Although the shooting range will remain available for law enforcement training, Baker says Wake County needs more space to provide training for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
"We are living in dangerous times," he said. "We need to have an ability to provide increased training opportunities for our officers so that they are prepared to face the dangers that may await them every day they protect our neighborhoods."

https://www.wral.com/county-manager-says-wake-county-will-take-over-control-of-gun-range/18841181/

12/18/2019 - Wake Sheriff announces closure of the public range

December 18, 2019

WCSO to Close Public Access to County Firearms Training Center

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) recently informed the operators of a company that provides firearms training to citizens at the Wake County Firearms Education and Training Center, that their contract will not be renewed, effective January 14. The decision was made following Range Safety Management LLC’s (RSM) lack of profitability and a review that fees and funds collected by RSM were not accounted for accurately.

“To the responsible gun owners who use the facility, I understand your concern,” said Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker. “This decision was not made in haste. We will continue to review how to use this training center that works in the best interest of all citizens, while saving taxpayer money. Unfortunately, the current agreement only met the needs of a few.”

RSM operators were notified of the decision earlier this week. While some were not pleased with the decision, others understood why the decision was made.

The WCSO has also determined an increased need to provide adequate training space for local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

“We are living in dangerous times,” Baker added. “We need to have an ability to provide increased training opportunities for our officers, so that they are prepared to face the dangers that may await them every day they protect our neighborhoods.”

The Sheriff’s Office met with County staff who also agreed with the decision, after reviewing what amounted to a lack of financial stability, resulting in the sheriff’s office subsidizing the private company’s sustainability, for the past seven years.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office is working with RSM to honor classes through January 5, 2020.