Steve Donnell, owner of a controversial privately owned gun range within city limits of 29 Palms, was recently interviewed in Cactus Thorns. Ron Brault, the President of the Twentynine Palms Pistol & Rifle Range, is interviewed in order to get the two perspectives from two range operators. There is an ongoing feud between these two that has been going on for a long while. The 29 Palms Pistol & Gun Range is a few minutes drive East of the Donnell Range.
Following is an interview with Ron Brault.
BH: Ron, you are President of the 29 Palms Pistol & Rifle Range, is that right?
RB: That’s right Branson, I am the President.
BH: It’s my understanding the Range is a 501 (c) (7) Non-Profit California Corporation?
RB: That’s right, it is.
BH: It’s also my understanding that the Pistol & Rifle Range is available to a variety of law enforcement and related personnel and students.
RB: Right again Branson. Our Range is open to many of those as a public service to the community.
BH: Ron, before we go any further, you are widely known as a meticulous and persnickety wordsmith. I’ve read some of your writings in the local papers and have talked to you on the phone about the gun range issue before. I’ve reached the same conclusion as a few of your friends and acquaintances who’ve told me your writings are always consistent with your perfectionist style, and unambiguous in content… [cut off]
RB: Branson… [cut off]
BH: …hold on Ron, please let me finish. Is it okay if I record this interview. I have to ask; it’s the law. I’ll have to be very exact with your words, if I get it wrong you’ll be on me like a stampeding wildebeest in the Serengeti.
RB: No problem with that, go ahead.
BH: … Okay.
RB: Are you recording this interview now?
BH: Yes. Here we go…
BH: You’ve been outspoken with your criticism of Steve Donnell in Thorns. Is it the competition that has your ire?
RB: Well, I was actually hoping that Irvy’s range would work out for him. I’ve never been there and always thought it was more secluded. I began to get involved when Jim Burdett and his attorney questioned me on why Donnell wasn’t using our range. Then the city council and others wanted to know. We were starting to look bad because the owner of a local gun shop had to resort to building his own range in a residential neighborhood rather than use ours. I wish to keep my involvement in this case limited to why Donnell is not using our range.
BH: What about the allegation in Thorns that you pocketed $3,600.00 in cash that Donnell gave you for signing up new club members?
RB: This is nonsense and they know it. Donnell never ever gave me cash for signing up members. He would send in company checks via U.S. Mail made out to the gun club and it would be deposited. The amount collected is closer to $2,500.00. When dealing with the Donnell’s you have to realize that they never consider the consequences of their actions, they will always blame others for what they bring upon themselves, they never expect to get caught in their shenanigans and will lie or attempt to back peddle their way out when they do, and there is no line they will not cross to get what they want. Their thinking is extremely convoluted. Steve Donnell comes across as a kind and loving human being, he’s very good at it, but it’s all a façade. Donnell had me totally buffaloed for a year and a half. In dealing with the Donnells I was introduced to sociopathic type behavior.
BH: What about the allegation that you denied membership to a woman and intimidated her?
RB: This is more nonsense from Donnell. I am willing to meet with this alleged woman and listen to her story. We have never denied membership to anyone. It’s possible she may have contacted someone outside the club. If this is the case I will fix her up with a free yearly membership.
BH: That’s a generous offer Ron. Under what conditions would your club allow Donnell to use you range.
RB: Under no conditions, not today, not tomorrow, not ever. I have placed warnings in the corporate records for the benefit of future board members. The Donnell’s have been extremely hostile and disruptive towards our organization, they tried to disrupt the clubs leadership by filing a complaint with the state Attorney Generals Office, they have bullied other members while on the range, they could care less about placing our non-profit status in jeopardy which could result in the loss of our range, they have over charged our members for yearly dues and grossly misrepresented the terms of the membership, and Mr. Donnell is extremely careless when it comes to firearms safety.
BH: Firearms safety? Could you cite an example?
RB: I don’t feel it’s necessary to discuss the details, I don’t like going there and I’ll leave the issue alone if they will.
BH: Lets go there anyway. You said you wish to keep your involvement in this case limited to why Donnell is not using our range.
RB: Now Branson, don’t get testy with me. As President of the Range I’ll make the decisions of what is said and how much information should be out there. I’m in a better position than you to make these judgments on behalf of the Club.
BH: Okay Ron. Now what about the allegation you made against Donnell about overcharging for memberships? Do you have any proof?
RB: No, just the word of a senior enlisted man who claimed Donnell had instructed him and others to return to his shop after six-months and pay a $50.00 renewal fee. Our yearly membership is only $50.00, and Donnell was instructed not to take any renewals. This might explain why the applications Donnell turned in were illegible ink blobs so that the applicants would not know the terms of the membership. I doubt that a Marine Gunnery Sergeant would make any of this up. I’m wondering how many memberships Donnell sold that never got to us. We have since pretty much stopped the unauthorized use of the range by going with a registered key system rather than a combination lock.
BH: Do you allow illegal assault rifles on your range?
RB: We expect our members to know what the laws are and abide by them.
BH: What do you do if you discovered and illegal rifle on your range?
RB: We don’t police the range for so called assault weapons, we aren’t law enforcement. Shooting California illegal rifles at the range is not too bright because you never know who is set up along side you. Many from law enforcement use our range including a BATF agent who is a member. We do question those shooting full auto weapons and make sure they are authorized to have them.
BH: They are both illegal so why question one and not the other?
RB: If someone is shooting a Colt AR-15 or an AK-47 we assume the rifle was legally registered with the state. We don’t check for registrations, but I’m sure that’s coming. I feel this way about it. If the state wants us to be cops then they can pay us for our time. We check out full auto weapons because there is no provision in California law that allows civilians to own machine guns. We don’t need that sort of thing splashing over on us.
BH: Are you out to get Steve Donnell?
RB: (…long pause) Lets put it this way. I worked on ways for Steve to conduct his shooting lessons at our range. It was pretty much a done deal to give him a six-month trial period, then he turned on me like a rabid dog because I wanted to have a meeting about it. You have no idea the time, stress and frustration I have gone through in dealing with the Donnells. I called Steve and even wrote him a letter asking him to withdraw his complaint with the AGO. I wanted to settle this thing and not allow it to escalate. As far as I’m concerned I don’t owe Donnell any quarter. He brought this situation upon himself. Had he not turned hostile toward us he would have gotten everything he wanted. The people in the affected neighborhood [of Steve's gun range within the City limits of 29 Palms] need to know what kind of people they are dealing with.
BH: Steve is outspoken in that he is moving to go commercial with his private or recreational gun range, whatever it may be called. Do you think Donnell will get support from the National Rifle Association?
RB: It’s very doubtful that the NRA would approve or sanction or fund an outdoor commercial range in a residential neighborhood. It would make them and the shooting fraternity look careless and irresponsible.
BH: I guess that’s about it Ron. Better a shorter interview that a longer one. This issue has been so hammered lately, and seemingly one of the hottest issues in the Thorns for a long while. Is there anything else at this time you’d like to get out there?
RB: If there is Branson, I give you a call.
BH: Fair enough Ron. Thanks for you time and your input.
—-
29 Palms Pistol & Rifle Club
This is a description of a US tax-exempt organization, based on IRS records.
EIN 2373650xx
IRS approved on 197405
Last filed 200712
Contact
Address Po Box 301
Twentynine Palm, CA 92277-0301
Filing month 12
Assets $0
Income $0
Revenue $0
Category Pleasure, Recreational, or Social Club
Activity Other social activities
Activity Other sports or athletic activities
Filing 990 – Not required to file Form 990 (income less than $25,000)
Filing No 990-PF return
Foundation All organizations except 501(c)(3)
Affiliation Independent
Exemption Unconditional Exemption
Organization Corporation
Contributions are not deductible.
Incoming search terms:
- 29 palms gun range
Hmmmmm……why no overexposed photo of Ron instead of a handgun? Also, you might actually ask the Donnell’s for some of the files they currently have that bear out the amounts paid to Ron and what was collected on his behalf. Ask about the affidavit from the discriminated lady as well. Ron seems to want to hold Mr. Donnell to a totally different standard regarding assault rifle and 10+ round clips usage than he holds himself to when related to his range operation. What gives with this double standard?
I don’t pull any important switches around here; Wizard Dan does all of that. But I’ll answer your questions.
There is no conspiracy. I just didn’t have a photo of Ron Brault. I wish I could have put one up because people are interested what people look like that they read about. As far as the overexposed picture of Steve, I was not the photographer. Did you seriously expect me to do a Photo Shop makeover on the photo? If Concerned One can get a picture of Ron, send it to me and I’ll put it up.
Send me the affidavit from the alleged discriminated. If its legit, I’ll ask Ron for his input and put them up. Send it to bh2322@netzero.net. Let me know you’ve sent it.
Here’s an offer to Steve and Ron: The three of us (Steve, Ron, Branson) will have a “Peace 29 Summit.” I’ll be the mediator. Check in the sidearms at the door. The purpose of which will be to shut you [Concerned One] up.
First, I made no comment nor complaint about your story.
Second, I only asked why Ron is wanting to hold Mr. Donnell to a different standard thanhe himself is held to regarding their responsibilities in supervising the respective ranges. That is the double standard that I refer to.
Third, I have to yet again indicate that I have no affiliation with either Ron or the Donnell’s, so you should direct your inquiries to them and I would also suggest that you redirect your anger towards someone else as well. I have done nothing to merit it, but only related the results of my own inquiries and fact finding forays.
As for your summit idea, I think it is a good one. Please though, just make sure that it is held in a neutral location, and that Ron is asked to leave his bodyguard at home this time. Again, please contact the involved parties directly for their thoughts on this idea….
Oh lord, I pray that Concerned One is given backith her short term memory or that she mightith convince her mental health care provider to prescribe a sufficient amount of Aricept® so that she mightith remember what she has postith here from one day to the nextith. Amen.
I’m thinking about killfiling you Concerned One. You have two heads (see below): one as spokeswoman, questioner or Concerned One, the other, the head of a troll.
You wrote, I made no comment nor complaint about your story. That’s a crock. You have, and that’s why in good faith I’ve been answering your question. Then you make a snide remark about the quality of the photo I posted, asking why no photo of Ron. I explained I had none, and asked if you had one. You play games by avoiding any meaningful dialogue. If you have no photo, say so. If so, send it.
I then ask you to send me the affidavit of the alleged female that was alleged to be the victim of discrimination by Ron, and you fluff it off. If you have it, say so; send it. Don’t be be a coquettish coy, don’t play games. That’s the monkeyshine of a troll.
I’m anger? Hogwash! You are feigning some sort of victim.
Buckle up or it’s to the killfile with you. Do you have the picture, or not ? Do you have the affidavit, or not? It’s interesting to note that if you are not affiliated with Steve, how could you possible have a sworn statement of an alleged disgruntled third party connected to this matter?
Act in good faith, 2-headed woman, no more games. That’s all I ask.
I have never said I have any documents at all. I have since day one indicated that I have knowledge of them, that is all. The actual documents are in the hands of the Donnell’s. Why threaten me with your “killfile”. That does not intimidate me in the least. You have already stopped many of the functions that others have related to their accounts anyway.
I asked about the photo mainly because it would have only made sense to show Ron as the articles were substantially very similar and the format would have lent itself to a more personal look, therefore a photo of the subject. That is how I would have approached it myself, if I were an author.
It seems that you guys just love to point fingers, call names, and do many things that I guarantee you would NEVER do in a face to face situation. That is the sad truth of the internet, there is much less incentive to be civil when you do not have to face the person you are writing to or about. Why not just take the time to actually read what I have written instead of fixating on who I might be or what gender I am. The paths I have provided could garner a wealth of information that could clear up many of the concerns regarding these issues. One need only follow them instead of getting angry at the map maker….
Good girl. You answered the question. That’s all I wanted.
The photo: Good girl. You answered the question. I would have approached it that way too if would have had a photo.
The only name I’ve call you was 2-headed girl for reasons already stated. There you go again feigning the poor damsel victim.
The ‘ol two guys beat-up on damsel victim doesn’t fly. All I ask is that you act in good faith, as I have with you.
I’ve already explained to you that I don’t pull the Blog’s levers around here, that’s Wizard Dan behind the curtains. Please, no more whining to me about that.
Seems our business is finished: you haven’t the photo to send; you haven’t the sworn statement to send. Questions answered. Thank you. Good night and good luck.
You are more than welcome Branson. Glad I was able to answer your questions too. Wish that it was a reciprocal action though. You are finally showing the readers that you might someday have some of the needed skills to become a reporter.
As for me being a victim, that has never been my intention or desire. What others might read into my comments is totally within their own scope of experience, not to be confused with my comments at all. At least I have been highly amused by the mystery that has surrounded my identity and gender. It makes me smile….
Nice post Shining Light, er… Concerned One.
The only one that’s confused about your gender is you. Your posts show a definite feminine personality.
Dan,
Would it be possible to have the constant attacks on me stopped. There is no redeeming reason that I should be subjected to these types of unreasonable and unwarranted attacks. I have posted here to insure that there is some semblance of balance in these articles and comments. Your own quote at the top of the page is:
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”– Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
You must have posted it for a good reason, and now I would hope that you would also live by those words as well. Thank you Dan….
Look I don’t want to be rude, so let be try to be as diplomatic as I can, and let me apologize before hand for what I am going to say.
First off, the motto of the website is “Irreverent barbs on desert politics.’ Been that from day one since 2001.
Second, while chivalry is not dead here, it long ago reached its half life.
Having been on the receiving end of unending barrages of insults over the years, I’ve gotten a pretty thick skin and pretty much let criticism and insult roll off my back like a duck. Maybe it is the fact that I am used to well over 30 years of online verbal fisticuffs that I am inclined to not interfere. Sometimes someone finds a weak spot in your argument or gets under your skin and will poke at it until you cry uncle. Let me give you some hard and fast rules of online argument.
1. Never cry uncle.
2. Never openly and online go to the SysOp for help. (email him, call him, send him snail mail) By publicly asking the System Operator for help you, you shows weakness, hence you cry uncle. See rule one.
There are a few things that will get a post removed: gratuitous foul language, talking about ones private parts, actual threats of physical violence and few others that I can’t recite off the top of my head.
Disagreeing with a post or comment is not a reason to be removed or censured. Being a proverbial smart ass is not a reason either. Kind of takes the “Irreverent” part out of the motto if you know what I mean.
It is a two way street
Here are some more hard and fast rules:
Ask clear and narrowly defined questions. Unless you are trying to argue, accept the answers you are given and move on.
Answer questions directed to you as clearly and honestly as you can.
Don’t demand that others be held to a high bar than you hold yourself.
Insults lead to being insulted.
Don’t assume you know everyones motives.
Here is one I still have a problem with… Not everyone thinks like you do or has the same value system you do. Sometimes you can be wrong even when you think you are right.
Don’t ask for more than you are willing to give yourself. Example: Don’t demand the identity of a user unless you are willing to freely give up your own anonymity. (this one has gotten you in trouble)
Some people actually use the art of argument as a form of entertainment.
See, a name change is REALLY easy here, but I am still the Concerned One by either name….
Experimenting with the system, and it is REALLY easy to create multiple accounts here. That might be why so many seem to be in opposition of what I might have to say. I will remain in this persona myself though as it is the only one I prefer. It’s just a machismo thing don’tchaknow….
Now remember the rule about don’t ask of others what you are not willing to give up yourself?
How would you like if I were to oh say… go by your IP number and list all the accounts for that location? Or do you think you just need to drop this line of logic?
Its up to you.
You will only find one for my IP number. Just wanted to see if the missing features were allowed on new accounts, and found that they were not. So, no need to have a second account myself. Please feel free to delete it if you like.
You of course as the owner of this site can operate it as you like. If you do wish to investigate duplicate accounts, I do not have any problem at all with that. If you trace my IP address, you will see that it is in 29 Palms. So truly Dan, it is actually up to you….
I have been watching this issue for quite a while. Too you Concerned one, this is not High School football. You seem like a troll. How about we settle this. Take the gun nuts, Steve Donnell and Ron Brault and lets have a duel. You pick the date and from 30 meter’s they blast away with whatever guns they want to use. May the best man win and this whole issue will be over. No more accusations, no more he said she said, and you get to shoot at the winner. Whatca think?
Stanley
Ah! The fine Christian Spirit of Christmas. What an asset to the human race. Dan, if this is the type of people you are soliciting as members here, then calling me a troll is as fine a compliment as can be. I think I will stand down for awhile and just watch you each gnaw each others eyes out. Its bound to happen with this crew. Thanks all, and have a very Merry Christmas….
I’ll leave this here on this blog as well.
I have sat here and read that people believe there is an issue that needs to be investigated. how about we let those that have the law on their side do the investigating, THE LAW.
If you feel so strongly about this issue, start dialing.
*Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms (818) 265-2510
*Defense Criminal Investigative Services 800-424-9098
*US Environmental Protection Agency 800-962-6215
*Federal Bureau of Investigation (800) 225-5324
*Internal Revenue Service (877) 829-5500
*Naval Criminal Investigative Service (619) 556-1364
*US Attorney’s Office 888-283-8477
*California Highway Patrol 760-366-3707
*San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office 909-387-8309
*San Bernardino County Sheriff (760) 366-4175
*Office of Inspector General (202) 226-1250
*City of Twentynine Palms, Code Enforcement (760) 367-6799
*California Attorney General (916) 227-4557.
*US Department of Justice 800-283-4867
Old Man,
That is an extensive list of phone numbers it must have took you some time to research it. Though I wonder why you would include DCIS, and NCIS in the list what would they care about a shooting range? Unless you have insight into illegal activity at Donnell’s range or the Pistol and Rifle Club, the later, I know that there is no illegal activities there.