Not Even Half-Finished; Clark County Sitting on Shooting Complex Expansion

Unbuilt areas in green (shotgun circles have been built)

Did you know that the Clark County Shooting Complex is only 30% built? While the shotgun ranges, the rifle/pistol range, and the education center are excellent facilities, there is so much more waiting to be built. Currently, the anti-gun Clark County Commission is sitting on further development of the park that has already been planned and improved.
 
The Complex occupies a huge tract of land at the north end of the Las Vegas Valley at the foot of the Sheep Range with phenomenal views of the valley. Developers have been overheard talking about what a waste the complex is and how it would be better utilized as housing. A world-class shooting site is just waiting to be finished. The ability to attract shooters and large events is hindered by the limitations of the range.
 
While the 50/100/200 yard rifle/pistol range is impressive, there is far more capacity, including private “tactical” bays. These 50 yard bays are most often found at private gun clubs that many don’t have access to. These bays would be available for the average shooter. In addition, there would be a much greater diversity of ranges.
 
Some of the unbuilt sections are:

• A 1,200 yard range;
• A 500 yard range;
• A rifle silhouette range;
• A pistol silhouette range;
• A 100 yard range;
• A 50 yard range;
• 30 50-yard long tactical bays;
• A cowboy/Wild West themed tourist range;
• A law enforcement training area, and
• More than doubling of the shotgun ranges.

 
An important source of funding would come from grading of the land itself. The Complex sits atop an estimated $120 million of gravel and other construction materials. Material from the initial construction is already sorted on-site, but has not been sold. So far, the county has refused to move forward with operations to monetize the piled material to fund further expansion.
 
So far, the county has screwed the pooch. One wonders if it is just bureaucratic incompetence, anti-gun hoplopathy, or a concerted effort to shut the park down for developer cronies.
 
The Shooting Complex is being mismanaged by the county parks department, which as failed to expand and develop the complex as was originally agreed at the time of conception. The Complex advisory board was given a minor, advisory role to the parks department, despite the Complex having the ability to operate a business with its own enterprise fund. The parks department also has hindered the ability of the Complex to operate in the best needs of the complex and squandered opportunities like selling naming rights.
 
Despite a steady increase is usage, the Complex has not seen any new additions since 2011, while the commissioners continue to take public lands away from recreational shooters. Clark County needs the county commission to move forward with completing the Complex as they agreed to at its inception. Stay tuned for ways you can help move things forward.