By Daniel Stefanski |
Two Arizona legislators are expressing concern over a recent closure of a Maricopa County shooting complex.
Earlier this month, State Representatives Quang Nguyen and Selina Bliss wrote a letter to Maricopa County Sheriff Russ Skinner to “express concerns regarding the Joe Foss Shooting Complex.” They stated that it was their understanding that this complex was closed to the public on June 30, 2024, and they “strongly urge[d] the Sheriff “to reopen the shooting range to the public as soon as possible.”
The legislators shared that “According to the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, the reason for this closure was to allow for more officers and deputies to be able to learn, qualify, and requalify with firearms and reduce the wait time for such training.”
“The Joe Foss Shooting Complex has been an important resource in Arizona for many years, gaining many consistent, loyal members,” wrote the lawmakers. “Many civilians, most being long-time members of the JFSC community, are frustrated with their favorite shooting range closing.”
They added, “With this closure, we have heard concerns regarding the places to which people will start taking their shooting business – some say that those once-loyal members of the Joe Foss Shooting Complex will start shooting in the desert instead. Keeping the Joe Foss Shooting Complex open to the public would eliminate that concern and avoid other unanticipated problems or unintended consequences.”
The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation posted an update to the situation on July 15, saying, “We appreciate the valuable feedback from residents concerned about the closing of the Joe Foss Shooting Complex at Buckeye Hills Regional Park. As a result, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation will conduct further analysis of the site’s condition and use and reevaluate whether there may be opportunities to provide public shooting again going forward. Site analysis will be done by an independent firm with specialty in range repair and mitigation. No decision about future activities at Joe Foss will be made until after their report is complete and repairs are finished. The range will remain closed during that time.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
