PSA - Wake Co. Range to close to public 1/15/20

So...…. A Deputy Sheriff makes a mistake and the people that didn't make a mistake gets the shaft?????
Not quite. The AD involved an off duty, shooting during Public Hours, RSM Instructor. Original story was that it was a Deputy. This has been edited in previous posts.

Yes, Bottom Line, an individual, who was a trained professional had an AD. Some call it a Negligent Discharge.

As the ex Safety Director for a Division of a Fortune 500 company with over 2500 employees and also on the Accident Investigation team for the corporation when incidents happened in other divisions.... Mental lapses occur

I have talked to folks in LEO and the DA’s office of a few large cities in NC. AD or ND are statistically more frequent among LEO as they constantly handle firearms and are more “at ease” with them. There have been some fatal ND in NC...as in other states. The Instructor probably feels more remorse than usual....based on the political football this has become

As to your comment, Sheriff Baker seized this incident to further an agenda that is questionable. Many comments have been made and he twisted the facts and made false and misleading statements. Now the County Commissioners have interceded and blocked his efforts. Perhaps more action will come.

Based on the Sheriff’s past track record, one could speculate that he either intended to hire more personnel and establish a Range Management department or to let a non compete contract with a new group. One has to wonder who these individuals might be and their relationship as family members of key donors or friends whose kids can’t find gainful employment. God forbid that a new company would make personal or political campaign donations

Of course that would be speculation, but based on some recent hiring and contract letting practices...not that far fetched.

The Commissioners have taken action and I commend them. We shall be there and supporting at least a temporary extension of their “cancelled” contact to maintain continuity and public use
 
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is this the place in Apex? If so damn, I was just about to sign up for the onboarding process thinking this would at least make a great place close by to test fire new acquisitions, builds, initial sight ins....Grrrr.
 
is this the place in Apex? If so damn, I was just about to sign up for the onboarding process thinking this would at least make a great place close by to test fire new acquisitions, builds, initial sight ins....Grrrr.

Stay tuned... My guess is it won't be too terribly long before the public is welcomed back.
 
Will certainly keep him in mind come election time, but heck, I would vote for the devil before I would vote for Baker.

Just got registered to vote in NC other day. Not sure if im in his jurisdiction, but if any way for me to put a vote is someone elses box, particularly a 2a friendly one, please start a thread on that when the time comes for us folk who don't follow and/or know the local-level candidate profiles!
 
Wake County will take control of the county’s firearms training center away from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
https://www.heraldsun.com/news/local/article238560118.html

Repeat of the N&O Article. This one is particularly obnoxious as it has a video of the BMI Challenged Sheriff mouthing off on his victory. Perhaps folks do NOT recall that he was sworn in at 12:01 AM so that he could "Hit the GROUND running and put his plans and revisions and improvements in place....". He had a contingent of folks and WRAL was there, LIVE....panting at his every wheeze and other body exhausted gas. I have seen evangelists heal folks from STD's and gotten less PR.

This is a warning for those of weak stomachs and also those that would perhaps....remove their CCW and fire at their screens....

This boy reminds me an an Afro American version of the Sheriff that Jackie Gleason played in Smokey and the Bandit. There are several people here that are being considered for the Burt Reynolds role of Bandit.....when we do a remake....

Gotta love it. The Proles won the first round....

I personally HOPE (and will try to get time to comment on 1/6/20) that the County Commissioners put together a "Range (FETC or whatever) Advisory Board". The Chair should be a county administrator. There should be equal representation from the following groups.

Shooting Public (US)
Range or Mangerial Company (who would hold the contract)
LEO (Sheriff, Municipal, SHP, whoever) that use the facility

I think that 5 members of each group (rotating) would be an ideal number..... Comments....
 
So digging a little deeper into Baker's motives I came across the WCSO business plan for FY2021 which was dated Oct 11, 2019. This is one slide from a presentation that was attached in response from Baker to Wake Co. Manager regarding the other WCSO misdeeds. Things that stand out:
  • He refers to the Wake County Firearm Training and Education Center as the Law Enforcement Training Center (LETC) already rebranding it as his, not the county's.
  • It seems he's already making plans to take over the facility and making plans for a Live Fire Simulations, despite having $100K to "Study the Feasibility" in the 2020 budget.
    • Shows that the study is actually bogus or worthless as he's already making decisions prior to any study. In this plan, he doesn't even mention the feasibilty study. In actuality, his study is probably blueprints, bill-of-materials, and construction timelines.
  • Its clear he doesn't like the public use. He notes that currently LE uses the facility more than the public, but fails to mention that the public has access to only three of the four ranges, and then in severely restricted hours, and less than 11 months of the year. It also isn't advertised as being open to the public, nor given as an opportunity to get educated and/or learn safe gun handling when citizens get thier CHP or Pistol permits.
  • He says the public can go to other "public ranges" for their training and recreational shooting.
    • He fails to consider these commercial ranges have opened since the WCFETC, showing that there is more demand not less for a facility, and that those ranges are limited to 25 yards while the center has 25, 50, 100 yard ranges.
    • It can also be said of the WCSO in having other additional places to train, like Wake Tech. It would seem the WCSO could re-instate Tasers and provide training on less than lethal means, if the SO reissues less-than-lethal option again.
    • It also fails to consider the original purpose of the range was always to have public access.
  • Also note in other slides the Sheriff knows there are 48,000 active Concealed Handgun Permits in the county..He has an updated data base.
This Sheriff's decision had nothing to do with any taxpayer concern: Just the opposite.
 

Attachments

  • WCSO-RESPONSE-INFORMATION_12.4.19.pdf
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While the commissioners may dislike the public range as much as baker does. I have no doubt they dislike him taking power out of their hands even more. So yeeeessssss let them fight
 
This Sheriff's decision had nothing to do with any taxpayer concern: Just the opposite.

I just read the .pdf. An 8th grade English teacher would bleed all over it. Probably came from Baker himself.

Thanks for digging that up. First round's on me.
 
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Harrison didn't take the election seriously for starters. Got cocky got burned
He didn't get cocky. He was worn out and just went thru another back surgery. He never miss being at a major call. Unlike this piece of shit we have now. Baker won because people in wake county are stupid.....nothing more nothing less.
 
He didn't get cocky. He was worn out and just went thru another back surgery. He never miss being at a major call. Unlike this piece of shit we have now. Baker won because people in wake county are stupid.....nothing more nothing less.
Baker ran on the Anti ICE platform.
 
Need to thank David Blackwelder too. He called me to get more information after I posted on his FB. He email Eric to get more information and then he went to work. David is running to unseat Baker who has no clue how to be sheriff.

How is Blackwelder on guns/crime/etc? Last thing I want to do is end up with someone worse than Baker.
 
Just got registered to vote in NC other day. Not sure if im in his jurisdiction, but if any way for me to put a vote is someone elses box, particularly a 2a friendly one, please start a thread on that when the time comes for us folk who don't follow and/or know the local-level candidate profiles!
Close to the election you can go here https://www.ncvoter.org/your-ballot-and-precinct/ and get a sample of your ballot, then study the candidates.
 
Close to the election you can go here https://www.ncvoter.org/your-ballot-and-precinct/ and get a sample of your ballot, then study the candidates.
Of course, one must also remember that the NC Sheriff’s election is an OFF YEAR schedule. Sheriff Baker was elected in the 2018 round and will be up for re-election in 2022.....pending any ad hoc involvement of the Wake County Commissioner’s?
 
I'm a little bit disturbed that "Voted Party" shows up on the record. Is that the party you are registered under, or does that just show up when you voted a straight ticket?
I mussed up... :confused:
This is the page I meant to post
https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/

The current Wake POS Sheriff ran on a platform that he’d ignore the law and make sure the families under his leadership WILL NOT be protected.
The low IQ, and Northern invaders that escaped tyranny, yet wish to recreate it in our communities, said “YES!” To this “gibs me dat” lawless entitled thief as the chief LEO of Wake Co.
Bless your hearts, and I feel your pain as we’re now in Chatham Marxist County.
 
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I'm a little bit disturbed that "Voted Party" shows up on the record. Is that the party you are registered under, or does that just show up when you voted a straight ticket?
The voted party is only used for “party” elections such as Primaries. In the general election, it is not listed.

NOW, when my father was a lowly NCDOT employee and required to transport voters to the polls as part of keeping his job and was required to make political donations for same....he and my mom truly believed that there was a secret mark or ID on each of their ballots and that there was a separate room where all the marked ballots were checked.

As a teenager, I was not permitted to drive my maternal grand parents to the polls as there were watchers that reported who drove them evil Republicans to the polls. YES. It was that bad in the 60’s in NC. Even if a Democrat got “unseated” or was forced to retire and the local county Democratic Party nominated a different Democrat, you lost your “place” in line. So, if Uncle Bill made significant donations to the Democratic Party (and also to the Candidate)....and that kept his worthless illegitimate child employed as a supervisor in the county NCDOT, then when his “candidate” was removed (for being seen cavorting with a Hooker that also had Republican clients), then Uncle Bill had to “donate again”. $X to the county party and $Y to the candidate. Typically, if you had paid the “initiation” dues or donations, you kept your relative employed by just paying the annual maintenance donations. BUT...if there was a change....you had to pay the full till.

Yes, boys and girls (and other “do not want to respond” genders) that was the way it was in the late 50’s and early 60’s. My parents either were also required to vote....and never voted for the OTHER party until the NC Legislature was Republican.

One of my wife’s relatives was an ardent Democratic supporter....who spent most of her time at the local county Democratic Party HQ or the State HQ in Raleigh. Now she did check in to the NCDMV at least once per week....as she was a high ranking supervisor. Her husband and son also had personalized plates.... she would pull their initials and their age. Each year, they had that plate....updated.

When the Legislature changed hands....she was terminated and then worked for the party for the next four years. The Democrats took back over....she got her old job back....and they had “reviewed and upgraded” her position....

Two REAL family examples....not some Fake News story...

I had to chuckle when Sheriff Baker honored an elderly Apex resident who was coericed by two Apex white officers back in the 50’s or 60’s. No one seemed to note that they, in order to be an LEO, one had to be a loyal or high ranking Democrat....

Sometimes we don’t teach history properly....
 
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Herschel at the Captain’s Journal is weighing in on this issue now: https://www.captainsjournal.com/201...un-range-originally-chartered-for-public-use/

Here’s his ending quote:

So this is how it’s going to be. Attacks against our God-given rights nationally and locally, with a new attack virtually every breath we take.

Very well. Queue up the war. Politicians and peace officers serve at the behest of the people, and the people can throw them out. Or do you not see yourself as a peace officer, Sheriff Baker? Let’s start there. Are you a constitutional Sheriff and a peace officer, or are you a law enforcement officer? Your answer to that question will tell us everything we need to know about you.
 
The voted party is only used for “party” elections such as Primaries. In the general election, it is not listed.

Sometimes we don’t teach history properly....


They don't teach History in public schools like they did when we grew up.
 
I received a response to my mail to Commissioner Calabria on Tuesday. Here are his comments:

************************************

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue. I am out of town at the moment, but I wanted to send you a quick reply as I know this has been a topic of great concern.

The commissioners and county staff learned last Wednesday (at the same time as the general public) about the sheriff’s intent to close this facility to our residents. Other commissioners and I immediately asked our staff to dig into this issue, and we have been working quickly to try to come up with a solution. Two days later, our county manager formally notified the sheriff that the county commissioners would be retaking management and oversight of the facility as a result of the sheriff’s decision. See: https://www.newsobserver.com/article238560118.html


Wake County to take control of shooting range from Sheriff’s Office

Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker decided to end a contract with RSM at the Wake County Firearms Training Center. Wake County will take control of the center and decide if the public should be allowed to shoot there.
www.newsobserver.com

The center is a county-owned facility. It was established to provide education and training opportunities to both law enforcement and the general public. It will take some weeks before this issue is fully resolved, largely because we will need to go through the process of regaining control, evaluating how the facility will be managed going forward, etc. Nonetheless, please know that we are working on a solution that will preserve the center’s original goals—including public access to an important facility. I’m confident that we will be able to do just that once we get everything sorted out.

I hope this additional information helps and provides some reassurance regarding what I know is a concerning issue.

Best,

Matt Calabria

Wake County Commissioner
 
As I stated before, several folks wrote quick and to the point and documented and presented a logical case. Obviously it is not all sorted out. AND, it is probably a little too early for VR day (Victory at the Range). BUT, it does look like the good guys are prevailing. Orwell's "Power to the Proles" quote comes to mind.

Thanks to ALL that wrote the commissioners and the work that they and many, countless others did. There is ALSO a website that MAY not be listed here. Please visit it as it is a great resource...

https://savethewakerange.blogspot.com/
 
As I stated before, several folks wrote quick and to the point and documented and presented a logical case. Obviously it is not all sorted out. AND, it is probably a little too early for VR day (Victory at the Range). BUT, it does look like the good guys are prevailing. Orwell's "Power to the Proles" quote comes to mind.

Thanks to ALL that wrote the commissioners and the work that they and many, countless others did. There is ALSO a website that MAY not be listed here. Please visit it as it is a great resource...

https://savethewakerange.blogspot.com/

Wow that was quick. That site was created and released within the last 24 hours.

Thanks for posting.
 
My son has found MULTIPLE great places to hunt in Wake. Study g00gle earth, go to the county website that shows ownership, knock on doors, ask and offer to be helpful.
He’s taking 8pt+ bucks on a regular basis. Had 6 in the first month of bow season.
Another winner, take a boat to Kerr lake for some great places as well.

Rereading this old thread, I just saw this. Please explain how he could take six bucks since we only had two buck tags this year. I must be misunderstanding something.
 
Rereading this old thread, I just saw this. Please explain how he could take six bucks since we only had two buck tags this year. I must be misunderstanding something.
I must have been mistaken, best I can recall he he had six deer before black powder or gun season. I will be asking him.
Since I’ve only hunted my own property for 15+ years and only get a couple, I only keep up with the opening & closing days. Hunting licenses aren’t needed for your own property.
 
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I must have been mistaken, best I can recall he he had six deer before black powder or gun season. I will be asking him.
Since I’ve only hunted my own property for 15+ years and only get a couple, I only keep up with the opening & closing days. Hunting licenses aren’t needed for your own property.

While hunting licenses might not be required, aren't you subject to the daily and annual limits? (Assuming you haven't applied for and receive a depredation permit.)
 
While hunting licenses might not be required, aren't you subject to the daily and annual limits? (Assuming you haven't applied for and receive a depredation permit.)
I assume so, I rarely harvest more than two a year, so I’m not concerned about limits. Usually big does or genetically odd buck. We enjoy venison.
My sons rarely hunts deer here. He does get turkey & duck.
 
Two things that folks OUGHT to know. YES....a turnout would be good.....BUT...

The agenda, which was published by the WC Director of Communications to the folks that got "Tickets" and asked to speak in the public comment period (5:30 - 6:00) has been "altered"

The Commissioners will NOT discuss nor take any action on the "Range" during tonight's meeting. There is already a list of 12-13 or so speakers lined up. I am scheduled to be in the middle.

The Commissioners WILL have a "work session" on January 13. They will be updated. It will be open, but NO public comment. The "Final(?) Bullseye League match is also scheduled for that night. Here is the text of the message....

My name is Dara Demi, and I’m the Communications Director for Wake County Government. I saw an email from you to members and students of the WCFETC recently and thought it would be helpful for them to receive an update on the situation from the county. Would you be open to sharing the message below with them via email and/or on the Eventbrite page? Our goal is to be open and transparent with the users of this facility, so they’ll have realistic expectations about the process moving forward and understand what the timeline currently looks like.

A message from Wake County Government:

Because of your interest in this issue, Wake County would like to update you on the next steps with the Firearms Education and Training Center.
  • Monday, Jan. 6 – The training center will not be a formal item on the agenda at the Wake County Board of Commissioners meeting. However, residents can come before the board to speak about any topic during the public comment period, which will occur around 5:30 p.m. Residents are asked to sign up to speak prior to the 5 pm. meeting start time. The county will also live stream the meeting online at https://wake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
  • Monday, Jan. 13 – County Manager David Ellis will update the board during its 2 p.m. work session regarding the timing of reopening the range and the options under consideration for a range operator. There will be no public comment period during this meeting; however, you can attend or watch the live stream on our website at https://wake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks so much!
Dara

If you have issues with this, then I urge you to contact your local Commissioner and voice your opinion. I have NO other information and do not know any more than what I put in the above post. Outta here.....got to get registered to speak...

Thanks....
 
Does one have to currently live in Wake Co to attend? If so I can dig up an expired license.
I grew up in Wake & my taxes helped pay for that range.

I suggest since it will be livestreamed and press might show up, look presentable and don't wear or say anything the socialists can use as negative news fodder.
 
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