Privatize shooting range? What about UMC?

To the editor:

In response to your Saturday editorial, “Range misfiring”:

The Clark County Shooting Complex is a first-class destination for firearm enthusiasts and archers to practice their sport. Yes, it’s new. Yes, it’s far away from the Strip. But still it has drawn a formidable crowd to its door.

The spotlight on firearms restrictions and the rising cost and shrinking supply of ammo, I’m sure, have led to reduced use of the range. Coupled with the expansion of private ranges that offer a chance to shoot fully automatic weapons blocks from the Strip, and it’s easy to see why the county range is struggling financially.

My issue isn’t that the range operates at a loss — most government enterprises do, from Amtrak to the U.S. Postal Service — but that county commissioners have jumped on this issue while ignoring the struggles of our county hospital. University Medical Center has operated at a staggering loss approaching $100 million per year, and yet everyone feels compelled to “give it another go” and resist privatization.

I can’t understand why they continue to bury their heads in the sand and let UMC cruise, as the Titanic did, into the path of the iceberg.

GARY S. ROSENFELD

HENDERSON

Gun vote

To the editor:

I would like to reply to John M. McGrail’s Saturday letter to the editor, “Heller listened to voters in casting gun vote.”

Depending on what poll you read and by whom it was taken, you can make the numbers sing any tune you choose. So, from what I read, I do not believe Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., voted correctly if he truly wanted to represent his constituents. While I certainly respect Mr. McGrail’s position, I must respectfully disagree with his perception of what constitutes being burdensome, oppressive, troublesome and causing hardship.

In my humble opinion, $25 to properly make the transfer of ownership and $25 for an instant background check is perfectly reasonable. This $50 spent upfront on private gun transfers could pale in comparison to the costs incurred should he sell his gun to an unqualified purchaser.

ROBERT D. FALK

HENDERSON

New Jersey proud

To the editor:

I’m a native New Jerseyan visiting Las Vegas. I read Adam Hill’s “Leftovers” column in Saturday’s Sports section, and I am so outraged at his disrespectful comments about my home state that words I’d like to use are unprintable.

He wrote about new Rutgers basketball coach Eddie Jordan, stating that he never actually graduated from the school. Mr. Hill goes on to write, “Can you blame him? Who would be willing spend enough time in New Jersey to actually earn enough credits to finish college?”

How dare he. Rutgers is one of the finest universities in the country, from the best state in the country, and the third state in the country to ratify the Constitution. What can he say about Nevada? That it’s the gambling capital of the country? I believe all New Jerseyans deserve an apology from Mr. Hill.

CAROL PESTRICHELLO

WHITING, N.J.