Tennessee: New Restrictions Proposed in White County Could Eliminate Future Firing Ranges

On Monday, June 20, commissioners in White County will meet to discuss and vote on a proposed anti-gun resolution regarding the future of new firing ranges within the county.  Although it has not been released to the public yet, the proposed anti-gun resolution brought forth by Sheriff Oddie J. Shoupe, is expected to restrict new gun ranges by requiring at least one-mile, by direct line survey, from any residence.  This would mean that the range would have to own or control approximately a one-mile radius containing 3.14 square miles of land, a requirement that is unrealistic and could be viewed as an obvious attempt to ban any future firing ranges within White County. 

If passed, this anti-gun resolution would ban all future ranges - public or private, including those on agricultural lands or recreational ranges often used for archery and paintball.  The one-mile buffer zone sets a dangerous precedent; it is restrictive and excessive even for existing Tennessee standards as the discharge of firearms while hunting is only limited to 100 yards. 

The anti-gun resolution will come before the full body of commissioners this Monday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m. on the third floor of the White County Courthouse in Sparta.  The NRA encourages you to attend this meeting in opposition of this overreaching anti-gun resolution.  An allotted time for public comment will be part of the agenda, so be sure to arrive on time to ensure a chance to speak.  

If you’re unable to attend, please contact Sheriff Shoupe and the White County Commission in opposition to this anti-gun resolution AND instead encourage them to adopt range guidelines that are reasonable and that can be realistically implemented.  Contact information for Sheriff Shoupe and all White County Commissioners can be found below.    

White County Sheriff and County Commissioners:

Oddie Shoupe, Sheriff
931-836-3028

Wallace Austin, District 1     
931-836-2148
[email protected]

Diana Haston, District 1      
931-837-2833

Terry Alley, District 2
931-836-3339

Denny Wayne Robinson, District 2
931-836-8041

Andy Alley, District 3          
931-738-5722

B.K. Luna, District 3           
931-738-5329

Jerry Austin, District 4                 
931-935-9102

Al Klee, District 4     
931-739-8633

Mathew McBride, District 5            
931-510-2128
[email protected]

Marion Bumbalough, District 5       
931-657-2756

Bruce Null, District 6          
931-657-2290
[email protected]

Paul Bailey, District 6
931-761-3049

Joe B. England, District 7              
931-261-8891
[email protected]

Hank Clark, District 7
931-761-2774