Gun Club Comes Under Fire for Safety
Neighbors' concerns over where bullets are going has city revisiting what changes can be enforced at longtime shooting range on Big Muskego Lake.
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Neighbors of the Schultz Resort Rod and Gun Club on the east side of Big Muskego Lake are tired of hearing stray bullets fly overhead, and fear a tragedy isn't far off.
What to do with the longstanding gun club will therefore be the target of discussion Tuesday night at the Common Council's Finance Committee meeting.
An email sent to Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti from one resident who lives on Mystic Drive, west of the gun range, described a scary circumstance in which he heard two bullets fly overhead while he and his young children were outside playing.
"I am an avid hunter and have heard rounds 'whizz' by before," wrote Greg Schmidt. "I hope it doesn't take someone being killed to take action... I don't think it's fair that my kids are now afraid to play in their own yard."
Capt. John La Tour confirmed that there was a similar concern raised several years before at the club, which was founded in 1937, and ballistic tracing determined there was a "serious concern regarding live rounds leaving the range." He thought there was a promise made by the gun club to redirect their range south over the lake, however, that never happened.
The committee may look into licensing to force the issue, as Director of Community Development Jeff Muenkel explained that "this isn't a zoning issue, as the club existed before our codes were in place."
The Finance Committee will meet in the Alderman's room at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
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Lakeview Trap & Sport Club
S80w14401 Schultz Ln, Muskego, WI -
City of Muskego Government Offices
W182s8200 Racine Ave, Muskego, WI
Laura Mishefske
8:37 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
even if the range is repositioned over the lake, wouldn't people who are on the lake fishing or in kayaks be in danger of being hit?
Sheepshead
9:47 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
I've always wondered that too. I hunt near the range on the lake and questioned the safety of being out there. Especially since they allow rifile sight ins prior to deer hunting
RJS
10:09 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Excuse me! Who was there first? Same thing as Waukesha incident with their gun club. People move into these neighborhoods and expect to be SAFE! DUH! If you buy into that neighborhood, expect the unexpected. Same goes for the people who buy property close to the airport and complaine. Don't like the location, DON'T BUY!!! I'm sick of people buying properties, knowing full well of the suroundings and then have the balls to bitch. Suffer idiots, or don't buy what you may not like!!!! Do I really NEED to say any MORE? Someone who knows BETTER!!!
Denise Konkol
12:23 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Repositioning over the lake would be better. Figure every year hundreds of duck hunters are also on the lake without incident.
Sheepshead
10:32 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Duck hunters are using shotgun shells. The BBs don't travel further than 60 yards. People at the range are shooting bullets which can travel a half mile or more. There is a huge difference.
Muskego Mike
3:07 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
We should expect that like any local business that they provide a safe facility for their customers and the community.
Gregory Kluck
4:27 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
RJS, it doesn't matter that the gun club was there since the 30s. It is beholding to the club to ensure the safety of those who may be in the area. The lake was there long before the gun club and therefore, users of the lake such as fishers and boaters were there first. But that doesn't matter, perhaps a higher berm to shield stray rounds from entering as populated area. Instead of ranting about who was first, why not try and offer a solution so all can enjoy the club and their homes and recreation.
David Helm
9:56 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
RJS, we were here first, we bought in 1856 but what does that have to do with today? my great,great,great,great grandfather ernst christian baas bought in 1856 but he is dead, so is howard schultz who bought the land the club is on in 1926. try again. the club recently changed ownership in 2011 but i guess you know that seeing as how you know everything.
Candy Galore
10:26 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
I certainly hope something can be worked out for the gun club and the safety of all. However, people built houses straight downline from a gun range...how could that ever be considered a good idea. I can't imagine any of those houses are over 80 years old.
DukeN
5:05 pm on Sunday, May 5, 2013
People purchase houses along the freeway, when populated to a certain point, they put up sound barriers (ie, Oak Creek. Between Ryan rd and College ave). Great idea. Those people purchase that land knowing they are next to a loud freeway, and they are now TAX PAYERS! It is the cities responsibility to maintain a safe, tax paying piece of land. And by the way, the city would have never allowed PERMITS to build on that land without considering what might be (which it is now) a safety concern to its TAX PAYING RESIDENTS. RJS, you tell me...OS ignorance REALLY blissful?