12/18/2019 - Commissioner Ford Facebook Statement

Greg Ford for Wake is at Wake County Justice Center.

December 20 at 2:54 PM · Raleigh, NC ·

This afternoon, Wake County Manager David Ellis notified Sheriff Gerald Baker that the County will revert control of operations of the Wake County firing range and training center back to the County. In this afternoon’s memo, Manager Ellis assured Sheriff Baker that County staff will work closely with the Sheriff’s Office to ensure a smooth transition for the County-owned building. Officers will continue to have access to the training facility in the interim for skills development.
Since the Sheriff dismissed the vendor with the contract to operate the center for the public, Wake County staff and the Board of Commissioners will review options for reinstating public access as soon as possible. The Board will review these option at an upcoming meeting early in the new year, once details are available.
The firearms facility and training center was built with taxpayer dollars by Wake County Government for its use by law-abiding gun owners and law enforcement professionals. It is a community asset and Wake County commissioners and staff will work to ensure that the facility is again made available for the community’s use as soon as possible.
“Wake County to take control of shooting range from Sheriff’s Office”

https://www.newsobserver.com/…/wake-c…/article238560118.html

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.