Waterford Estates residents demand action on sheriff's gun range noise

Neighbors say constant gunfire continues to rattle their homes, but county leaders can't say when anything will change.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:10am

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Residents living near the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office firing range in Punta Gorda say the constant gunfire from the facility continues to disrupt their daily lives, with some claiming it has impacted their health, quality of life, and even property values. Despite raising concerns with county officials, who directed staff to pursue a study on noise reduction options, neighbors say they have received little clarity on when any solutions might be implemented.

Why it matters

The ongoing noise issues from the sheriff's gun range have sparked frustration and a sense of helplessness among Waterford Estates residents, many of whom feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed by local leaders. The situation highlights the challenges of balancing public safety needs with the quality of life for nearby communities, and the importance of clear communication and timely action from government officials.

The details

The gun range, which is owned by the county but used by the sheriff's office for training, has been a source of controversy for years. Some residents say they were never required to sign any disclosure about the nearby facility when they purchased their homes, and several claim the gunfire can be heard inside their houses even with doors and windows shut. While not everyone in the neighborhood is equally bothered by the noise, many feel the constant disruption is affecting their health, ability to work from home, and even property values.

  • The gun range was closed when some residents moved into the Waterford Estates community about 2 years ago.
  • In January 2026, county officials directed staff to pursue a study on potential noise reduction options for the gun range.
  • As of March 2026, county leaders say they are still developing a request for proposals for the noise study, but cannot provide a timeline for when it will be completed.

The players

Bill Kross

A retired first responder who moved to the Waterford Estates neighborhood about 2 years ago, and says the constant gunfire has driven up his blood pressure.

Steven Tyler

A homeowner in the Waterford Estates community who, while less affected by the noise, believes the residents' concerns should be heard by county leaders.

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

The agency that operates the gun range, which it says is essential for training deputies and maintaining certifications.

Charlotte County Commissioners

The county leaders who will ultimately decide on any long-term solutions to address the noise issues, as the gun range is a county-owned facility.

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What they’re saying

“What do you think it does to us? You're trying to work in your house, and boom, boom, boom!”

— Bill Kross, Resident

“You have a lot of taxpayers down there, and I think those taxpayers should be heard.”

— Steven Tyler, Resident

What’s next

County officials say they are still developing a request for proposals to study possible design options to reduce noise from the gun range, but they have not provided a timeline for when that process will move forward.

The takeaway

The ongoing dispute over the noise from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office gun range highlights the challenges of balancing public safety needs with the quality of life for nearby residents. Without a clear timeline for action from county leaders, the Waterford Estates community feels stuck in a frustrating situation with no end in sight.