The owner of an unpermitted firearms training center in the southern Vermont town of Pawlet says he won’t comply with a judge’s order to dismantle much of the facility he built in the woods near the New York border.
Daniel Banyai began operating the Slate Ridge firearms training facility in 2017. He said he is looking for “the proper constitutional attorney" to appeal a Vermont Environmental Court order that he dismantle all structures on the property that were built without permits. The 30-acre property is only permitted to have a garage with an apartment.
He has until May 5 to appeal the March 4 order.
Neighbors have complained about gunfire and intimidation but also say they are afraid to talk publicly because of fears for their safety. State public safety officials say they cannot take action because there is no evidence of criminal activity.
Pawlet is a rural town in the Taconic Mountains of western Vermont, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Albany, New York.
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