Shooting range reapplies for permit citing improvements

VANDALIA — The Miami Valley Shooting Grounds has reapplied for a permit, citing major changes and improvements, after Vandalia Police Chief Douglas Knight revoked the business’ permit last month.

“We’ve got a safe shooting range. We’ve got a shooting range that’s been in present for over 60 years. It operates safely, exceeds industry standards and there is a state of art shooting range there,” said Timothy Rudd, attorney for Miami Valley Shooting Grounds.

>> RELATED: Shooting range posed threat to public, chief says in letter revoking permit

Rudd said the owners have narrowed the range lanes and installed bullet proof baffling.

Even with the changes, neighbors said they don’t want the range operating.

“There are sounds like machine guns going off, sometimes bomb like sounds going off in there,” said Barb Haven.

Rudd added the range has updated the facility so it won’t be as noisy.

>> RELATED: Vandalia moratorium won’t stop Miami Valley Shooting Grounds bid for new permit

Vandalia police responded Sept. 7 to the Miami Valley Shooting Range after neighbor Jamie Spencer told officers bullets were being fired onto the property of a business on the 7300 block of Johnson Station.

The officer responding said he had to retreat behind his cruiser when a bullet came too close.

>> RELATED: Gun range suit: Vandalia cop ‘retreated’ as bullets whizzed overhead

Spencer filed a lawsuit claiming bullets fired from the Miami Valley Shooting Grounds were landing on his property.

If the police chief does reinstate the permit, the range will still need permission from the zoning department, a process that could take the rest of the year.

This news organization will be touring the range today. Details will be available here.