Sarasota County considers closing pistol and rifle range temporarily

Due to legislation amending Ch. 790.33, FS, Sarasota County Parks and Recreation may temporarily stop operations Oct. 1, at Knight Trail Park Pistol and Rifle Range.

The amending statute chapter prohibits local governments from regulating firearms and ammunition.

The county is exploring options to keep the range open, and is seeking an agreement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

“If we have to suspend operations at the pistol and rifle range, we intend to make for as short a time frame as possible,” said Carolyn Brown, general manager of Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, in a press release.

The intent of the legislation in effect is to create state laws providing uniform regulation of the sale and use of firearms. According to the release, the elimination of local rules for gun ranges is an unintended consequence of the law.

The trap and skeet range and the archery range will not be impacted and will remain open.

For more information, visit www.scgov.net or contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 861-5000

Contact Eddie Kirsch at [email protected].