Resident urges safety measures at proposed VSP gun range, citing autistic child nearby

Robin Larson, who identified herself as a Walton Road resident, used the citizen comment period to press the commission on a proposed VSP gun range that has been deferred but remains a community concern.

Larson said her grandson James, a 4-year-old non-verbal autistic child, lives about 500 yards from the proposed range and that his medical team and a speech therapist have provided written testimony saying noise could be detrimental. She told the commission the VSP had not completed a noise study that would mimic business operations or a tournament, and warned that James is a runner who does not respond to verbal commands, creating safety risks if the site lacks fencing or other protections.

“His medical team at UVA and a speech therapist have both given written testimony that it will be detrimental to him, but we have no idea really because the VSP hasn't done a noise study that would mimic what their business operations are or a tournament,” Larson said. She asked the commission, if it allows the location to proceed, to at minimum require a safety fence to protect nearby children.

The commission closed the citizen comment period after Larson spoke; no direct staff response or formal action on the gun range was recorded during this meeting.