Madison County Board Rejects Vanguard Gun Range Proposal

At a Wednesday night meeting, the Madison County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to reject the proposed membership-based gun range, the Vanguard, citing location concerns. The board’s final statement declared a “hard no” and deemed the site unsuitable.

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The Vanguard was proposed as a private gun club for shooting sports, firearms education, and law-enforcement training. Proponent Gabe Landes, owner of Black Flag Arsenal in Waukee, said the facility would meet a need for law-enforcement training.

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Key figures include resident Scott Henderson, who moved to Winterset for peace and quiet; proponent Gabe Landes; Tom Moss, Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District commissioner; and Rusty Starr, owner of the nearby Alpaca Farm. The three-member board also voted on the proposal.

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Public comment lasted nearly two hours. Only one participant voiced support, while dozens opposed. Opponents cited anticipated noise, traffic on a dead-end road, stray-bullet hazards, and risks to the adjacent river and agritourism.

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The board said the site was “not the right spot” for a gun range. Landes described the Vanguard’s mission as delivering “accessible, high-quality training and education for law-enforcement and civilians alike.” Henderson warned the project would erode neighborhood tranquility. Moss warned stray-bullet contamination and lead runoff could threaten water quality.

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Opponents argued continuous gunfire would disrupt the Alpaca Farm’s agritourism and diminish visitor experience. Environmental concerns focused on stray bullets and lead leaching into the river. Residents also noted the dead-end road’s limited capacity for increased traffic.

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• “I DON’T THINK IT’S A VERY NEIGHBORLY PROPOSAL.” — Scott Henderson, Winterset resident

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• “OUR MISSION AT THE VANGUARD IS TO MAKE COMMUNITIES SAFER BY DELIVERING ACCESSIBLE, HIGH QUALITY TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CIVILIANS ALIKE.” — Gabe Landes, owner, Black Flag Arsenal

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• “THE COMBINATION OF CONSISTENT GUNFIRE, NOISE AND INCREASED TRAFFIC ON WHAT IS CURRENTLY A DEAD END ROAD WOULD FUNDAMENTALLY DESTROY THE PEACE AND TRANQUILITY VISITORS EXPECT FROM RUSTY STARR’S.” — Rusty Starr, Alpaca Farm operator

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• “TOM MOSS, MADISON COUNTY’S SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, SAYS THE POTENTIAL HARM STRAY BULLETS COULD DO SHOULDN’T BE UNDERESTIMATED.” — Tom Moss, Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner

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Leaders of the Vanguard declined to comment when approached for an interview, leaving their detailed response to the board’s decision undocumented. No alternative locations were presented during the public hearing.

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The board’s rejection ends the current Vanguard gun range application. While it removes immediate concerns about noise, traffic, and environmental risk, it also leaves a regional law-enforcement training gap. Proponents say they may redesign the facility and reapply, but no timeline has been set.

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