Warren County Sherriff’s Deputy Anthony Walker practices firing his Glock 9mm

at a gun range in Clinton Monday. The photograph was shot by a camera triggered with

a radio remote control.

Warren County deputies may soon have a local shooting range to meet regulations with their firearms.

“My feeling is we would have a higher level of training for law enforcement officers with an outdoor range here,” Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said.

Deputies drive 30 miles to an indoor range in Clinton to qualify with their sidearms. Warren County pays $1,500 annually for the use of the Clinton range.

The local facility would cost $2,000 to $3,000 to build on Vicksburg Warren School District 16th Section land on Jeff Davis Road, which would cost $226 annually to lease from the school district, Warren County supervisors were told Monday.

Pace said the facility in Clinton has served the department’s needs but a local range would allow deputies to train more frequently. State law requires all law enforcement officers to qualify with a weapon at least once a year, and Warren County deputies qualify every six months, Pace said.

The Vicksburg Police Department, which also uses the Clinton range, is also planning to build a shooting range. The department was in the early stages of converting the Ellis Building, behind the police department on Walnut Street, into an indoor shooting range when the building was found to have been contaminated with battery acid.

Pace said it would be up to the governing bodies of the city and the county as to whether city police would be able to use a county shooting range.

“If liability issues could be worked out, the city would certainly be welcome to use it,” he said. Supervisors said Monday they would consider the sheriff’s request.

In other matters the board:

Approved the purchase of an emergency siren for the Eagle Lake area at a cost of $13,005.

Awarded a contract to Lyles and Sinclair CPAs of Jackson for audit services. The bid was the lowest, at $21,780.

Approved three utility permits for the Fisher Ferry Water District.

Appointed Jerry Kelly and Frank McClug to the Fisher Ferry Volunteer Fire District Board.

Appointed James Wilson Jr. and Gary Walker to the Bovina Volunteer Fire District Board.

Appointed Charles Roberts to the Culkin Volunteer Fire District Board.

Supervisors will meet again at 9 a.m. Monday at the Warren County Courthouse.