Why no range time for public at COD?

Why no range time for public at COD?

I wrote this letter Jan. 9 to Thomas Brady, director of the Homeland Security Training Institute at College of DuPage.

Dear Mr. Brady,

I read with great interest of the plan to proceed with the construction of an indoor 25-station shooting range as part of the college’s Homeland Security Education Center. By my calculation this facility has the potential to offer 1,000 man-hours of practice time, 25 by 40 hours every week. I assume this would have to make this facility the newest and largest indoor shooting range in DuPage County.

I also read how this facility could potentially be used by “nearby police departments” for mandatory shooting practice generally held twice monthly. Again, using my calculations, it appears that there could be a considerable surplus of range time going unused.

Therefore, I must ask: Why is there no mention of making this surplus range time available to the residents of DuPage County? The facility is being financed by a construction bond paid for by taxpayers. Firearm owners in DuPage County routinely pay as much as $20 an hour for range time at for-profit ranges. Why has there been no talk of turning this project into a “win-win” for both the college and the taxpayers of DuPage County?

I would urge you and the board of trustees to investigate the potential for making this a true “multiuse” facility that would serve both the needs of the college and the interest, and unserved demand for, affordable range time by the taxpayers in this community.

Martin A. Dettmer

Wheaton