Illegal Key Peninsula Gun Range Gets Shut Down

LAKEBAY, WA — An illegal gun range that opened recently in a rural area of the Key Peninsula was ordered to stop shooting activity on Friday by a Pierce County code officer. The range, called KP Compound, was in violation of local zoning rules, according to county officials.

KP Compound opened recently at 320 205th Ave. Southwest near Lakebay, advertising itself as a private club. The club asks users to donate $11 to use the range, which is only open Friday through Sunday during the evening, according to the club's website.

Pierce County Councilman Derek Young said local residents immediately began complaining about shooting noise. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office visited the range last week and asked that no long guns be used. The code enforcement officer visited on Friday to issue a cease-and-desist order, although local residents did report that the shooting continued over the weekend.

KP Compound has 14 days to appeal the code enforcement action, but that might not do anything, Young said.

"The zoning code is clear, they're not even allowed to apply. It's not a conditional or permitted use in that zone," Young said on Monday.

The gun range is in a "rural 10" zone in the Key Peninsula Community Plan zoning regulations.

Young said that a shooting range on the Key Peninsula is actually a good idea because the Gig Harbor Sportsman's Club is often at capacity. The only zone that would allow a gun range in the Lakebay area is an amusement and recreation zone.