'Too much traffic' at gun ranges a lame excuse

So Illinois has finally caught up with the rest of the country and legalized concealed carry. For gun owners to comply with the law, they must pass written courses and spend hours on a range. Unfortunately, there are not an adequate number of gun ranges to keep up with the recent and ongoing demand. And recent articles state that many polled oppose new ranges being built. "Not in my neighborhood. Too much noise and too much traffic. ..."

Too much noise? Do the anti-gun extremists think all ranges are outdoors? Would gun range traffic make more noise than a 2 a.m. bar closing up early on a Sunday or after a rock concert at the Allstate Arena? They should also be reminded that gun owners know it's unlawful to shoot at tin cans and other targets on the way to their cars.

Too much traffic? Do they think they'll have to deal with more gun range traffic than driving by the Rosemont Convention Center and the surrounding area during trade shows? Or more traffic than driving down Harlem Avenue south of Touhy Avenue on any Saturday afternoon? Now that's traffic congestion.

What other lame excuses can the anti-gun fanatics come up with? If I had the money, I'd develop one of the thousands of vacant properties in one of the thousands of empty business centers, away from homes, schools, churches, etc. I'd build or update an existing property with a modern, safe, soundproofed range, and with more than enough parking and adequate traffic control to satisfy those afraid that an "increase in gun owner's traffic" (during regular business hours) will disrupt their own driving schedules that also contribute to "too much traffic."

John Nolan

Mount Prospect