Gun range to go in at LEC

County commissioners approved Sheriff’s Department developing their own firearms training facility.

Chief Deputy Doug Angell spoke before the court May 28 and said the range will be built on department property to the east of the present office and near the Precinct 1 equipment facility. An in-kind donation will mean zero cost to the department or county.

The department has been using private ranges to do its practice prior to this, many of which are not accessible during inclement weather. Having the range onsite would reduce the liability by half or more, Angell said.

Deputies are required annually to complete a firearms qualification. Other county entities are also required to pass proficiency qualifications, including adult probation, magistrates and retired law enforcement personnel.

Construction of the proposed facility would allow unimpeded access to a training facility without advance scheduling and will be able to be used both day and night. The cleared are is proposed to be 25 yards wide by 50 yards deep. An earth berm approximately 45 feet at the base and about 15 feet tall will be constructed at the end of the range to act as a backstop for bullets.

Angell said county commissioners could help with the project by hauling gravel to the site itself. County Judge Keith Umphress, a former DPS trooper himself, said the range would be helpful both for Jack County and surrounding areas.

“Wise County used to shoot at my range and I know JPD (Jacksboro Police) has used the city dump,” Umphress said. “It’s not something deputies can do just anywhere.”

The county owns roughly 80 acres in the area of which 5-10 acres would be used for the facility. County employees, including deputies will clear brush from the area, which apparently a rattlesnake den has made its home as well, Angell said.

“It will be a nice facility,” Angell said. “It will be something we all can be proud of.”

In addition, Umphress said sometime ranges are used for friendly competitions between entities which can be a team building exercise for all involved.

“It will be available for troopers, constables,” Umphress said. “We have a lot of trainers out there, so we wouldn’t have to outsource our training any further.”

The vote was unanimous to approve construction.