School District Sues Gun Range After Stray Bullets Hit Nearby Middle School 1.2 Miles Away

A school district in Texas is suing a local gun range after stray bullets hit a nearby middle school over the summer.

According to Fox4, Floyd Barksdale Middle School is new to the area, but the gun range has been there since 1980. However, students will begin going to the building daily starting this fall and staff grew concerned after discovering stray bullets hit a window and a brick wall fired from Quail Creek Gun Range, located roughly 1.2 miles from the campus.

The firing line, which faces toward the new middle school, features berms that are designed to prevent stray bullets from going beyond the firing range, but the owner admitted that it is possible to elevate a firearm and fire over them, according to Fox4. As a result, a judge restricted certain types of firearms and ammunition that can reasonably cover the distance to the school if someone were to fire over the berms.

Given that the range was there first, the school district noted in a letter to parents that it is not trying to get the range shut down, the outlet reported. However, district officials want certain safety changes and protocols to be put in place.

However, per KXAS, the district also noted that if the gun range fails to comply with the new order on safety standards, which so far it has not, “there may be further legal action.”

A court hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, per Fox4.