Indoor gun range OK, chief says; but it’s not legal without permit

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Vandalia Police Chief Douglas Knight said the Miami Valley Shooting Grounds’ indoor gun range can be used, however, an attorney for the business owner said it’s no longer legal without a new permit.

In operation since 1965 at 771 Johnson Station Road, Knight in October shut down the range, claiming the business violated its permit after a resident complained slugs were landing on his property.

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Tim Rudd, attorney for shooting grounds owner Dana Tackett, said the property is zoned for agricultural use, and that the indoor range was only allowed in association with the outdoor range.

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In a letter written to Rudd, Knight said reopening the outdoor range would be “detrimental to the health, safety, welfare and morals of the city.” He cited a lack of supervision, changes to the surrounding neighborhood and a future land use map that points to industrial use.

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Rudd said the city is purposely making it tough for his client, and that no one is giving Tackett a chance.

>> Miami Valley Shooting Grounds owner says slugs not from his gun range

“There seems to be a common thread in terms of people wanting to end shooting for one reason or another,” he said. “We invited the chief and we invited the city manager (Jon Crusey) to come view the property to see the changes, to make an assessment for himself. That invitation was extended over a week ago; it was renewed a few days later and he never took us up on it.”

A zoning hearing for the indoor range is Dec. 12.

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