HEARING SET FOR SEPTEMBER 27 AT 10:30 A.M. AT HONOLULU HALE TO INITIATE PUBLIC FIRING RANGE IN WEST OAHU

News Release from Councilmember Tom Berg Sept. 22, 2011

West Oahu City Councilman Tom Berg representing District One (Ewa Beach to Kaena Point) is calling for a public firing range to be in the vicinity of the military’s abandoned range in Kalaeloa.

“There is a tremendous need in West Oahu for a training facility to provide gun owners with an adequate, easily accessible, safe environment to hone in on their skills. There is so much interest in learning how to properly maintain and become a responsible firearm owner that competition for time to practice is fierce,” said Tom Berg, adding, “It would be advantageous for West Oahu residents to practice in Kalaeloa instead of having to go to Koko Head.”

Berg has introduced Resolution 11-263 to explore the possibility of having a public-private-partnership take over operations in Kalaeloa where the city is to acquire some 400 acres of navy land for park use. A recent email sent by Brian Isaacson to Berg’s office explains the need:

“Mr. Berg, returning the parcels used by the military as firing ranges to use as public ranges is an excellent idea. The shooting sports have been growing in popularity in the state over the years. Weekends at the Koko Head Shooting Complex (KHSC) are packed, and it is not unusual for people to be waiting for tables throughout the day. An additional public range facility would reduce the pressure on the KHSC and encourage shooters to spend more time at the range.

"As a matter of public safety, encouraging range use by gun owners, enabling them to be more knowledgeable about their guns and increase their knowledge of safe gun handling skills, will maintain the trend nationally of reducing the already low rate of firearms accidents. National statistics also show that crime goes down when more honest people are armed, and encouraging the shooting sports reinforced that trend, as well.

"Thank you for introducing Resolution 11-263. I'm sure that everyone involved in the shooting sports on Oahu will support you.”

See [AGENDA]. See [RESOLUTION 11-263] and See attached files above: Figures 1-3 Maps of Kalaeloa site.

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