Search Underway for Missing Rifle at Apalachicola Shooting Range

News Summary

The Leon County Sheriff’s Office is seeking public assistance in locating a missing Aero Precision .308-caliber AR-10 rifle from the Apalachicola Shooting Range. The rifle was last seen when two friends finished their shooting session, leading to confusion over its whereabouts. As the sheriff’s office engages the community for help, concerns grow about safety and the unsupervised nature of the facility, prompting resident caution regarding visits to the range.

Local Sheriff’s Office in a Hunt for Missing Rifle at Apalachicola Shooting Range

Are you familiar with the scenic views of Apalachicola? Well, it seems like a bit of a mystery has unfolded at the local Apalachicola Shooting Range, located in the breathtaking Apalachicola National Forest. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office is on a quest to locate a missing rifle belonging to a local shooter, and they need your help!

What Went Down

The drama began on a Tuesday evening when two friends were wrapping up their shooting session at about 7 p.m. After a successful evening of practice, they were ready to pack up and head home, but a new problem cropped up—the rifle, which is identified as an Aero Precision .308-caliber AR-10 rifle, was nowhere to be found. Each friend thought the other had taken it along, creating a little mix-up that turned into a larger issue.

The Search Is On!

When the duo returned to look for the missing firearm, their hopes of finding the rifle quickly faded as it seemed to have vanished into thin air. With the sun setting over the beautiful landscape of Forest Road 305 off Springhill Road, it was clear that this situation needed some serious attention. The sheriff’s office has decided to go public with their search efforts by posting about the lost rifle on social media, reaching out to the community for any clues to its whereabouts.

Local Community Concern

sketchy” and “unsafe.” Concerns have been raised regarding the range’s hours, with one comment noting that although the park closes at dark, the gate is not locked to prevent anyone from entering after hours.

Increased Worries About Safety

Even more troubling is the chatter about rising theft activity in the area—an insight shared by someone who engaged in conversation with a Florida Wildlife Conservation (FWC) officer. This certainly raises questions about safety for individuals planning a visit to the range. Some residents have voiced their worries about going alone, recommending that shooters bring a buddy for company. The thought of being caught in an unsafe situation while simply trying to enjoy a recreational pastime can be quite daunting.

Range Regulations at Play

The Apalachicola Shooting Range is an unsupervised facility operated under the care of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. While it’s open to the public, guests must come prepared with their own firearms, ammunition, and targets since gun rentals are not available. This lack of supervision and strict regulations surrounding moving firearms to check targets could make it far too easy for personal belongings to be misplaced or lost in the shuffle.

A Community Effort

For now, the search for this missing rifle continues and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office is hopeful for community engagement in helping to recover the firearm. So if you’re in the area and happen to spot anything unusual, don’t hesitate to reach out. It just might make a huge difference!

As the sun sets over the Apalachicola National Forest, let’s all keep our fingers crossed that this story will have a happy ending. Remember, every little bit of information could help bring that missing rifle back home!

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Additional Resources

• Tallahassee.com: Deputies Searching for Rifle
• Wikipedia: Shooting Range
• Florida Sportsman: Wild Hog Hunting
• Outdoor Life: Hog Hunting on Public Land
• Google Search: Apalachicola Shooting Range