Officials from the Lethbridge Fish & Game Association say safety and firearm instruction are top priority at its range.
“If people follow the rules here, nothing will leave this range,” said Allan Friesen, range operator.
That message is part of a Safe Community Report, presented by the LFGA and Lethbridge Regional Police.
In the last year, the range has had fewer than 10 infractions, with just one range officers’ card terminated.
Overall, police had 86 reports of gunshots around the city, but none confirmed with actual firearms.
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“All these calls we’re receiving of gunshots just aren’t the case,” said Inspector Colin Catonio. “It’s just not the case that people discharge firearms within city limits.”
A report of errant bullets in north Lethbridge led to temporary closure of the range last year, but those incidents were later found to be unrelated.
Since then, range security has improved, allowing police remote access to cameras, and a combined effort to reduce illegal firearm use.
“Us working with the range people, the range working with the city, and the committee together is all about public safety,” said Catonio. “It’s advanced public safety, no doubt about it.”
Last week, a bullet was found to have struck a north side home, but investigators haven’t determined where it was fired.
The LFGA isn’t commenting, but said it works with policed on stray bullet cases.
“We’re going to be presumed guilty, always,” said Friesen. “We have to prove ourselves innocent, that’s the nature of the beast.”
LFGA officials continue to target a new location, still hoping to take gunfire outside city limits.
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