The Warren County Commission on Monday, Dec. 17, awarded a permit for a police and military training organization to operate a shooting range at the quarry south of Warrenton. The commission’s decision left some opponents frustrated.Patriot Training Foundation, a nonprofit, volunteer organization, sought a conditional use permit (CUP) to host periodic training programs at the quarry on Quarry Road, which is owned by BMC Development (aka BMC Stone). The foundation offers training free-of-charge to law enforcement and military personnel.“We’re pleased the commission has acknowledged our ability to use the property,” said Patriot Training Foundation President Keath Hausher.However, he said restrictions the county has placed on shooting times and the types of legal firearms allowed seems to single out the training site from other agricultural properties, which don’t have those restrictions.A number of homeowners adjacent to the quarry and further away in Innsbrook Resort strongly opposed the CUP for Patriot Training Foundation, saying a shooting range would be a noise nuisance and safety risk, among other concerns. After the CUP was initially approved by county planning and zoning officials, opponents protested to the commission for an appeal.Commissioners declined to rescind the CUP Monday, choosing instead to tighten restrictions on when Patriot Training Foundation will be allowed to shoot.The total number of days per year the organization can shoot in the quarry was set at 40, down from a requested 60. That can only include five Saturdays, and never any Sundays or holidays.Daily shooting hours were cut in half to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., compared to the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours on the initial CUP. Commissioners left in place an allowance for six late-evening and two overnight shooting days per year.Also carrying over from the initial CUP are a restriction on the size of ammunition allowed, prohibitions on automatic weapons and explosives, and a requirement that all trainees be associated with a military or law enforcement agency.“Some (people) are going to be happy with our decision. Some are not going to be happy. That can’t be helped,” said Presiding Commissioner Roger Mauzy.The three-person county commission was split in its support for the CUP. Mauzy and Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner voted to approve, indicating they were satisfied with the restrictions placed on shooting operations. Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson dissented, on the grounds that a shooting range could hurt the enjoyment or value of surrounding property.Mauzy observed that anyone still dissatisfied with the commission’s decision has a right to bring the issue to Warren County Circuit Court. There’s a chance some will take that step.“What about the rights of the Warren County citizens living around the quarry?” property owner Ed Anderson later commented to The Record. Anderson owns land nearby on Quarry Road and is one of several vocal critics of the CUP. He said some are considering legal action to overturn the approval.Anderson pointed out that around 100 people expressed their opposition at a previous hearing for the shooting range. It’s a shame, he said, that the commission is not protecting property owners and is forcing citizens to consider using their personal money to sue their own government.Jeffry Thomsen, president of the Village of Innsbrook Board of Trustees, said the board remains in solidarity with citizens opposed to the shooting range CUP.“I thought the commissioners made some effort to try to compromise. They did tighten the restrictions somewhat,” Thomsen noted. “But the people we support feel there should be no shooting range at all.”Patriot Training Foundation has been running programs at the quarry since 2016, which were halted earlier this year after the organization learned a CUP is required to operate an outdoor shooting range. The organization offers specialized training that police and military agencies might not have access to because of limited funding or resources.

Patriot Training Foundation President Keath Hausher, front, on Dec. 11 explains the features of a training site and shooting range in the BMC Stone quarry south of Warrenton. With Hausher are members of the Warren County Commission and other visitors. 

Record photo/Adam Rollins