Oldham County Officials Give Nod To Indoor Gun, Paintball Range

By Justin Wilfon

(CRESTWOOD, Ky., January 20th, 2005, 5:30 p.m.) -- A debate has been raging in Oldham County about a proposed paintball and gun range in Crestwood. Some say it will be unsafe and too loud, while others say it would be a welcome addition. On Thursday, the Oldham County Board of Adjustments approved the firing range. WAVE 3's Justin Wilfon was there.

It's a relic of Crestwood's past, but now it will also be a part of the future. "It's going to be brilliant," said owner Barry Laws. "It's beautiful.You need this."

The California real-estate broker purchased the old champs skating rink just two days ago. If all goes as planned, it will be an indoor firing and paintball range by the end of the year.

"Oldham county needs this type of range," Laws said. "They don't have it. There's nothing within a 35-mile radius."

He took his plan to the Oldham County Board of Adjustments Thursday. He was met with plenty of questions, primarily about noise and safety.

Sometimes Laws didn't have the answers.

"I'm not trying to avoid what you're asking," Laws told one person in the audience.

Others have concerns as well -- mostly people who live close to the proposed range, many of whom signed a petition opposing it.

"I'm concerned primarily about the safety, quite frankly," said Rob Hansen, "but also about the noise," said Rob Hansen. "I mean that's a secondary issue to me."

But Laws says the firing range will be state-of-the-art, with the latest noise-trapping technology.
"My experience with other indoor ranges is that in the parking lot outside, you hear next to nothing, so I think from just an experience point of view, I have no concerns whatsoever."

He also says those with guns will be closely monitored, and says the ammunition fired inside will pose no risk to people outside.

Laws says the range will actually make Oldham County safer. ""It's a firearm safety center is what it's going to turn out to be."

The Oldham County Board of Adjustments approved the firing range by a vote of three to one.
That means construction should begin soon, but those opposing the range say they may appeal the board's decision.