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Ada Co. investigates firearms training business in the Boise Foothills

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3 months ago

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Ada Co. investigates firearms training business in the Boise Foothills

A firearms training business might be operating in the Boise foothills without the proper permit.

Valiance Firearms Training Owner Nate Castillo told BoiseDev that he started that business, which operates at 15401 N. Cartwright Road, while studying entrepreneurship at Boise State University a little over a year ago. Postings on the business’s Instagram page advertise training courses offered “on our private, astro-turfed range in the Boise Foothills.” The business’s website lists courses such as “Pistol 1: Beginner shooter,” a group event called “Open Group Range session,” and private group events such as, “Defender (1 Day Event).”

Ada County Communications and Outreach Coordinator Brianna Bustos told BoiseDev via email that the county was “recently made aware of this property” and that the county’s code enforcement department is “investigating what is going on.” She said the county requires a conditional-use permit for shooting ranges and that the property in question has no current permits.

An Army Ranger veteran, Castillo said his service allowed him to learn “some of the top tier training in the world when it comes to tactics and firearms training.”

“It became a passion of mine that I would use that training that I had access to bring to everyday people, everyday citizens who want to protect their family, protect their loved ones and community, and help them acquire these skills and get proficient as almost a second nature.”

Castillo said he is not the property owner and that he would not comment on issues related to the land use.

Property owner unclear

Bustos said that the county cannot discuss ongoing code enforcement cases. If the code enforcement department determines something is happening on the property without the proper permit, they would contact the property owner and tell them what they need to do to get in compliance. If code enforcement staff determined the property needed a conditional use permit to comply, getting one would include a public hearing process, she said.

The property records list Seven Gates Investments, L.P. as the owner, and a filing with the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office lists a Meridian post office box address for Michael Forsythe, and an address for Forsythe Law. 

Forsythe declined to confirm whether he owns the property or represents the entity through which ownership is registered.

Forsythe told BoiseDev via email that “information about property ownership or entity ownership and use of property is not generally information subject to be released to a reporter, and this does not happen to be an exception.”

The property is near the Hidden Springs neighborhood in N. Ada County. At least one resident told BoiseDev they often hear gunfire from the range.

Previous shooting range proposals for foothill areas have drawn detractors and supporters. A proposed 80-acre shooting sports park in Eagle faced opposition from some nearby residents who expressed concern about noise and potential fire danger from bullets hitting rocks, while supporters said they want such facilities to provide a dedicated, safe, and legal gathering place for people to practice shooting guns. 

The city ultimately approved the project, and as of July is in the process of constructing the second phase, including building the park’s archery amenities.

An August 1996 foothills fire that burned 14,000 acres and a high-end home started in a former City of Boise Police firing range in the foothills. A tracer bullet missed its target and landed in the brush, igniting the fire. The police firing range was eventually relocated out of the foothills.

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