WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. -- People who live in the Royal Highlands area said they're concerned about a soon-to-be neighbor's plans to build a private gun range alongside his under-construction new home.

Neighbors voice concern over proposed private gun range

Resident plans to build range next to his new home

Officials say the owner isn't in violation of any laws or codes

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"If it was a small handgun, I'd be more comfortable with that. I still wouldn't enjoy it or like it that it's so close," said neighbor Julia Kiser. "This person told us he's going to be shooting .50 caliber BMG. The projectiles are as big as your finger, and they come down as fast as they went up, so it can be deadly."

The property owner asked not to be identified, but said he told his neighbors owns a range of firearms from .22 to .50 caliber that shoot a variety of bullets. He said he made sure when buying the rural property that he would be able to shoot guns on it and that safety is his top priority in building the range.

According to him, a backstop has been built that's currently 18 feet tall. He said he plans to apply for an engineering permit to continue adding onto it, and that the backstop will ultimately be 40-45 feet tall.

A Hernando County Sheriff's Office report dated Oct. 30 states that the backstop met and exceeded safety requirements based on the condition of the range at the time. It also noted that the owner appeared to be following the state law that addresses recreational shooting in a residential area.

Hernando County Code Enforcement said the owner wasn't in violation as far as land use.

Neighbors said another issue is that the range points in the direction of their homes. Misty Cintron said about 240 feet of woods separated the range from her home -- too close for comfort.

The property owner said he offered to turn the range slightly into an "L" shape, but that neighbors didn't like that idea, either.

"No crime has happened, no law has been broken, but we still feel we are in dire peril," said Kiser.

Kiser said neighbors have spoken with State Rep. Blaise Ingoglia about the issue, as well as the sheriff's office. They've been told that there's nothing that can be done since the owner isn't in violation of laws or codes.

Kiser said she'd like to see state law changed to modify what kind of weapons can be used near homes.