I whole heartedly support the porposed firearms safety training proposal for IGH. Knowledge of firearms (as evidenced by the lack of it within our planning commission and city council) is long overdue.

I totally agree that gun safety training programs would be well worth it. Law abiding citizens need to be knowledgable on this issue, not just the criminals who learn it regardless of what laws are out there!

Absolutely we should do this!

Absolutely do this. Gun safety is the key to the future of understanding how to use guns safely and provides education that lasts a lifetime. Chances are those who are educated in gun safety see the value then pass that value on to their children. It's a very useful class!

The Hudson Plan Commission tomorrow will discuss amending the city's zoning code to allow for an indoor shooting range within city limits. Bill's Gun Shop & Range is hoping to turn a former nine-screen movie theater into a gun sales floor and indoor firing range: http://hudson-wi.patch.com/articles/gun-shop-indoor-shooting-range-could-move-into-vacant-theater-space

I do not thiink the city ordinance should be changed to allow residents to discharge firearms within city limits! Allowing firearms to be discharged within city limits would be an unsafe and hazardous situation.

I think it should be approved! Anyone that will take a serious look at firearms safety records should come to the same conclusions. A controlled environment to learn to shoot is safer than the controlled environment for young people to learn to drive.

Absolutely support this proposal !!!! Why would anyone not want their community to be educated on the safe practices of firearm use, ownership and storage. I think teaching the community the proper safety in firearms not only educates the people correctly, but also makes that same community safer.

This spring I took 2 of my grandchildren to the hunter safety course provided in Hastings. I wanted them to get that training about gun safety, even if they never own a gun. It was a great education about guns and gun safety, how to handle firearms, and maybe most important, how not to behave with and around firemarms.

The actual firing of firemarms was limited to .22 caliber rifles. They are not loud. It was quieter than a bowling alley or baseball game. The temporary "firing range" set up for the class was conducted with an extreme emphasis on safe handling of firearms. No danger was created for areas beyond the field class.

I strongly recommend having the classes in Inver Grove Heights. The City is fortunate to have a location available for the training. Such locations are not readily available anymore.

Yes, the gun safety course should be allowed in Inver Grove Heights for the safety of all of our residents. Those who "shoot" should have the local training in order to handle their guns in the safe and proper way so they do not have to learn the hard way.

Yes to the gun safety program being allowed in Inver Grove Heights. The DNR runs a great safety program and everyone interested in shooting sports, from target shooting to hunting should take the course.

Yes, best thing for youth to learn, safe handling & use of a firearm. let them realize & respect that firearm use & ownership is a guarded privilege that is to be taken seriously. Thanks for everyone who supports this & other opportunities for our youth.
Steve T

Mike H.
I fully support the DNR's efforts to provide firearms safety courses on an outdoor range in IGH. The DNR's involvement will help assure public safety. An exemption from city restrictions on discharge of firearms within city boundaries can be limited for the shooting range property only, thereby maintaining status quo in the rest of IGH. I ask the support of the Mayor, the CPC and CC toward this end. Thank you.

Yes, this should go forward

Yes this should be allowed. Safety, knowledge, respect, and education of firearms and the outdoors is critical knowledge our youth need.

Keith C.

I don't live in Inver Grove Heights, so my vote really doesn't count in a poll of that community. My no vote is for safety reasons and noise. Comparing it to the noise of a bowling alley, where the noise is contained within a building is not a realistic comparison. While some 22s make little noise larger calibers certainly do, and it should be reasonable to inquire about what weapons will be permitted, and during what hours, and the specific physical limits of the firing range...all reasonable questions to address in any exceptions to the existing ordinance. I should think both the County Sheriff and City Police should be invited to provide input.

I thought that Mr. Grannis was going to develop this property into a Nature Center. I'm not opposed to a DNR-sponsored firearms safety program, possibly even include the Archery program as well (since THAT is legal to do in this part of IGH), and many people DO hunt and have deer stands on their property in this area. A great way for youth to enjoy the sport. There may be the possiblity of people assuming since the gun range is in the area that they will be able to shoot on their properties. I am opposed to that, as the natural environment is what attracts residents to this area. What is the status of the Nature Center? Is this potential income to help develop that?
http://invergroveheights.patch.com/articles/former-mayor-hopes-to-develop-250-acre-nature-center
and here:
http://www.startribune.com/local/south/117712148.html

When was the last shooting in Inver Grove Heights? Sounds like some redneck hillbilly got lost here in our pretty blue state and they're here to fix a problem that doesn't exist.

NO! Leave that to those dumb-as-rocks hillbillies who are still waiting for those wealthy folks up there to trickle a little something down their way. When you are used as a pawn to redistribute wealth to an elite few, and you don't even see it, that's not exactly something we should aspire to.

No, this absolutely should not go forward. I do not want the law to be changed to allow guns within city limits. That opens the door to a bad situation, since there would then be a lot more guns. It would be noisy and very unsafe. Let the gun classes take place somewhere else--like at that shooting range in Rosemount. It's already there; why not use it?

It sounds like some of the folks living out there have an issue with the safety and/or possibly noise. I grew up across from the St. Paul gun club. We didnt even notice the shotgun noise. You get used to it. As for the safety, just do some research on this topic and see that there are no safety issues.

There is a proven correlation between kids participation in gun safety programs such as the NRA Eddie Eagle program and the MN DNR program with their future respect for the serious responsibility of owning and using firearms. Since this benefits everyone and this sounds like a safe place to have a range, the project should proceed and will be a benefit to the entire area.

Teach the kids, They should learn about safety.

Libby, Seems like you are a dumb-as a-rock liberal. Why do you take this as a wealth issue and why is increasing one's wealth a bad thing? I imagine if it was for you, you wouldn't complain. Yes on the range, absolutely. My husband, daughter, son and myself have had gun safety training at the Dakota County range and it was excellent. Why not make this more accessible to the residents of Inver Grove, the classes at the Dakota County range are limited and fill quickly. Not only is it important for the kids, as well as adults, to learn to use and respect firearms, it can also be a great family experience.

I am opposed to the ordinance change. Couple of reasons; it is too close to my property and part of the reason I live here is to enjoy the sounds of nature, there are eagles nesting less than a 1/4 mile from this site and I do not think they will stay or appreciate it this activity, there are walking paths back around the lakes and this would detract from those hikes, and if we cannot discharge a firearm in the this area (city of Inver Grove Heights) why do we need safety classes in this area? Also like most things like this 6 times per year, would probably soon become every weekend and then twice a week and open for more guns. I guess I could support this if it would only (every) be 3 times per year and in the Months of Dec, Jan, and Feb when windows are closed and not as many people outside or using the hiking paths
Thanks Dale S.

Aspire this, Libby: Sara R is right on. Typical liberalism on display-all emotion. When you can't sustain any argument against that with which you disagree, you resort to name calling. Demeaning those people who CHOOSE to educate themselves in the safe handling of a firearm does nothing but reveal YOUR elitism. Learning the proper use and respect of a firearm IS very important and can be a great family experience-not to mention smart if you choose to own a firearm. But because YOU and your ilk are opposed to guns, they have the intelligence of a rock?? That's not very tolerant, now, is it? Bring on the Inver Grove Gun Heights Safety Program!!!

It seems those who disapprove of this give the reasoning is the "safety and noise" of the class.
My question to you is - Have you ever attended a Firearms Safety Class? Attend a class before you decide how unsafe and "noisy" a potential class would be in IGH. You don't need a desire to hunt, just a willingness to open your mind and learn something different.

Would you persons voting in favor of this like to be living in the very NEAR vicinity of the safety class range as my family is?? We're all for Safety Classes but NOT IN OUR BACK YARD.

I moved out to IGH because of the nature. My family is always outside enjoying the environment. I have 3 concerns about the proposed gun safety training; Safety. The proposed sight has trails that we use daily within the 1/4 safety zone. These are trails that my kids fish off of, hike and play. There are many days that I see people on the trails that do not live there- how will they be notified that guns are going to be shot within the area? And what precautions will be taken to make sure someone is not accidentally shot enjoying the outdoors in the suburbs? Secondly nature. What will the environmental impact be? There is an active Eagle's next right near the firing location. Lastly Noise. This is an issue. There is a gun range in Eagan and people 7 miles away can hear it. Noise travels far- and residents that are not even in the area will most likely be bothered by it. My kids and dogs are not "fans" of gun shooting or firework noise. One dog I have to tranquilize for loud noises... If I bought a house knowing it is in a gun range - then that is my choice. But putting it in after we are hear and NOT listening to the area residents and is not fair for our enjoyment and house values.

Gun safety is important. Why not train them on gun safety but go to a shooting range for the practice. That I would be in favor of.

City Council needs to really LISTEN to its residents...

Good comment, Kris. I know the issue of "fit" has come up in discussions at the highest level. Specifically, people are wondering how a firearms class fits with the nature preserve mission of Darvan Acres. I think there will be plenty of discussion on that very topic in the weeks to come.

Yes, I totally support this and wish more cities would also be able to offer the class with an area such as the one in IGH.

As a summer camp instructor some years ago, I had hoped more cities and local organizations would provide for firearm instruction and range time. Firearms familiarization and fundamentals are good skills for children, and go a long way to dispel fear and misusage. I really hope the IVG proposal will reach fruition with a good range for local shooters.

Participation in our Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) firearms safety program is an exceptionally effective means to learn safe and respectful conduct around firearms. Safety is the focus. I have seen young people walk away from the training with respect that was learned for firearms handling. Respect that counters the attitudes depicted far to often on TV and movie screens.
Firearms Safety is required for youth in our state to participate in our firearms hunting traditions. I became a Volunteer firearms safety instructor to help keep the opportunity open for families to participate together in an activity that opens the outdoors - especially to urban youth - to a degree that few other outdoor activities can bring forth. To give thanks at the table where you harvested part of the meal yourself from nature’s bounty, has a very deep transcendent ability to connect one to that nature with the understanding and desire to protect and nurture our environment for future generations.

Sorry for the length - the website called me Tolstoy - pray it not an insult to the great writer - Part 2:
The hunting public provides the great majority of the funding for environmental protections. Organizations such as the Whitetail Deer Association, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Wild Turkey Federation and many others bring resources to preservation of wildlife. I myself support the Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society and our state Loon Check Off at tax time. I do little hunting but support the hunting tradition in our state. The DNR opening some public areas for promotion of firearms through the DNR education programs is a great idea where it is safe to do so and the concentration of need is great. Residents of Inver Grove Heights should be pleased with the opportunity to promote safety within their community. In a state with such broad participation in hunting traditions - I would rather our citizens learn firearms handling from a respectful DNR volunteer than from the TV or movie screen.

I just scheduled classes for my two boys to take the gun safety classes and had no problem getting them in. There are already available sights; why take away anymore greenspace in Dakota County?

This is not the correct location for a gun range. The rannge/ shooters will be shooting towards a neighbors house and property. To many residence in the area. Why doesnt't the DNR try putting this range on Mississippi River property in the southeastern part of IGH