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alp227

(31,959 posts)
Tue Jul 17, 2012, 02:36 AM Jul 2012

S.F. pulls trigger on gun club lease

The only outdoor shooting range in San Francisco is being evicted by the city after failing to reach a new lease agreement with the Public Utilities Commission.

The Pacific Rod and Gun Club, located on the southwestern shore of Lake Merced, has leased 4 acres on a month-to-month agreement for 78 years, but PUC officials say the sweetheart deal is over.

"We basically said 'we need to bring you into a modern lease,' " said Steve Ritchie, the PUC assistant general manager for water enterprise. "I don't think we intend to negotiate any further."

The two sides failed to agree to new lease terms by the July 9 deadline and the club was given an eviction notice Friday, ending the $4,700-a-month lease.

full: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/S-F-pulls-trigger-on-gun-club-lease-3711674.php

Well, another notch for San Francisco's far-left reputation right here. Now, competitive shooters not welcome!

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Meiko

(1,076 posts)
2. Although we know SF as an anti gun city
Tue Jul 17, 2012, 03:53 AM
Jul 2012

I didn't see anything in the article that was unreasonable.

geckosfeet

(9,644 posts)
3. The clubs that I have had experience with are notoriously frugal and "antiquated" in
Tue Jul 17, 2012, 06:42 AM
Jul 2012

their real estate management. Clubhouse decor is kind of early 60's wood paneling and linoleum tile. But - they own the property their ranges and buildings are on so no need to worry about the town ending a lease. We pay our membership fees and have a place to shoot. And the indoor ranges are typically open 24 hours a day (you need a pass key) as long as there are no events scheduled.

If the town asks the PR&GC to clean up and modernize that's their business. If the PR&GC does not want to pay the rent, then they should leave. I don't see anything overtly anti-gun here - but I suppose there is always the possibility of something going on between the lines.

But I always wondered about lead contamination at any range. The ground lead and copper levels at outdoor ranges have to be through the roof. At least indoors it is contained.

 

Remmah2

(3,291 posts)
8. Copper and lead.
Tue Jul 17, 2012, 09:52 AM
Jul 2012

Copper is probably not a threat. Most drinking water goes through copper pipes.

Lead is only a problem if you have acid soil conditions. (ie acid rain). The problem can be controlled by spreading lime on the surface to keep the acid in check. If soil conditions are not acid, the lead will lay there inert for years and years. Lead sheets are used as roofing flashing on commercial buildings due to it's corrosion resistance.

Lead is easily reclaimned. There are companies/contractors out there that specialize in reclaiming it. If lead/copper/steel are all collected together they can be separated at the smelting plant by melting off the metals at the appropriate melting point. 100% recycled. With metals prices going through the roof, there is GOOD money in recycling at gun ranges.

When I moved to the country several years ago I joined a shooting club so I could put all my lead/copper in a common spot with all the other shooters. Ultimatly it'll be reclaimed/recycled.

Inside ranges should have a good exhaust dust filter/collector system. Micro fragments of lead can be collected that way. Bullet casters love inside ranges. Loads of free lead for the asking. High quality and pre-alloyed.

ileus

(15,396 posts)
6. Business is business....
Tue Jul 17, 2012, 08:43 AM
Jul 2012

I have never been in a month to month lease, 4 acres lakeside sounds like a prime spot for a multi-level boat storage unit for the 1%.

 

Remmah2

(3,291 posts)
7. Lead management is expensive
Tue Jul 17, 2012, 09:30 AM
Jul 2012

"The city says cleanup will cost more than $10.5 million and wants the club to help pay the bill, while the club supports a solution that would cost only about half that much."


I wonder what the details of the club's lead abatement were? Apparently this is a sticking point of the lease as well. Scrap lead prices are way up and I'll bet there's a fortune waiting to be reclaimed. On the flip side $10.5 million for a site cleanup? I wonder how much government micromanagement and overkill was involved?

HALO141

(911 posts)
15. 10.5 Mil?
Tue Jul 17, 2012, 04:16 PM
Jul 2012

Clearly, the EPA is involved with that plan. If there's one thing government agencies aren't, it's efficient.

 

DonP

(6,185 posts)
10. Well, SF has to make up for their "donation" to the NRA
Tue Jul 17, 2012, 10:07 AM
Jul 2012

What was their most recent payment to the NRA for legal fees for that handgun ban they put through?

$360,000 IIRC.

But I'm sure they'll find someone more morally and ethically acceptable ... and willing to pay that lease rate.

NewMoonTherian

(883 posts)
12. $4,700 could BUY four acres in some places.
Tue Jul 17, 2012, 12:35 PM
Jul 2012

San Francisco can piss off. With the money the gun club has blown on that property in 78 years, they could own a tract of land bigger than San Francisco.

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