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Why Did A Gun Range Owned By The City Of Sacramento Close?

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A city-owned gun range has been closed for months after tests came back saying lead levels were through the roof and it was a health hazard.

Tests inside the Mangan Rifle And Pistol Range in South Sacramento and on the roof were up to 400 times above what the state health department considers a lead hazard.

The range that has been around since the 1960s is now locked up.

"It seemed that nobody cared, nobody had an interest other than ourselves," said Ronald Morales with the United Revolver Club of Sacramento.

The group managed the range, but the careful process of lead collection leftover from spent bullets was the city's job.

"We'd like to hold the managers accountable as to why this facility was not maintained to the standards that it should be under state law," he said.

The range was shuttered in January after the audit department learned there may be a health risk from lead exposure at the range, including birth defects and heart and kidney problems.

Jorge Oseguera toured the gun range last winter and advised the city manager close the doors immediately.

"It was surprising, sure," he said. "The most concerning this is that there are toxicity level that are above what's desirable, that could create a hazard."

Poor ventilation and an outdated building are the main causes of lead buildup at the range.

The state considers any amount of lead above 40 micrograms per square foot. Inside a bathroom, the number was more than 3,000, and in an office it was 13,000—300 times the state standard.

Morales says someone from the city's parks and recreation department told him there was no health risk, but he isn't sure if he believes them.

"If the range was closed so abruptly, was there any hazard to us or to our members?" he said.

The department refused and on-camera interview and only answered half of our questions in emails. They didn't say who was responsible or if there were any health risks the public should be concerned about.

Repairing the facility could take $2 million from the city.

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