Better Lead than Dead.

Parents get shooting range moved out of school ... out of concern for users' safety?

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — The Sheboygan Rifle & Pistol Club has moved its shooting range out of a local middle school after parents raised concerns about exposing students to lead.

The club had an October deadline to either upgrade the range's ventilation system or move out. The shooting range, built and operated by the gun club in conjunction with the school district, has been housed at Urban Middle School since 1955 and has been used by the club and the Community Recreation Department.

Lisa Janeiro, 45, was among the parents who raised concerns about how children were being protected from the range's lead residue.

"We just asked some questions about what safeguards the district had put in place to make sure students and staff in the school weren't being exposed to high concentrations of lead," Janeiro said.

"It turned out in the end that generally, people (in the school) were not being exposed but it was likely users of the range, unbeknownst to them, were. Really, the worst part was the district seemed to be unaware of that situation."

Or is that just a smoke screen?

Gun club president Reed Vanness said the lead issue was being addressed and anti-gun sentiments prompted the move.

"It was politics," Vanness told The Sheboygan Press. "There were a couple people who did not want us in the school. They decided to try to get us on lead contamination. For the last number of years, we cleaned it during the summer and every night after we used it. We passed environmental studies every time. The school board just decided maybe it was time, maybe we didn't belong there."

What kind of message is this sending?

In the meantime, longtime club member and instructor Augie Margenau is wondering what message closing the range sends to young people with an interest in safe shooting.

"I'm unhappy that it's gone," said Margenau, 71, of Sheboygan. "I understand concerns about lead but our safety record is great. It's just something I wish we could pass on to next generation."

Scharrer said the Community Recreation Department is still working with the club to offer shooting classes. Currently a BB gun safety and shooting course is being held at the club's headquarters on Monday nights.

"We're continuing to keep the lines open with the club as far as offering classes through them and whatever they can do out there at their location," he said.