Watch CBS News

Westchester Firing Range Fights Neighbors To Stay Open

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Westchester County gun club is firing back at neighbors who are trying to shut it down.

As CBS 2's Tony Aiello reported, residents of a new subdivision off Ardlsey Road -- where home prices start at $1.2 million -- have been targeting the Westchester County Police Revolver and Rifle League since a woman said a piece of dime-sized metal grazed her leg while she was walking.

"This is an incredible public safety hazard, and it must be moved," one woman told Aiello.

Aiello found a piece of metal matching the description of the projectile, which is in the custody of Greenburgh police, at the firing range. Ballistics testing is underway, but police have said they are confident the object came from the range.

Range officials aren't so sure.

Lawyer Robert Berkowitz said the firing ports were designed to stop stray bullets.

In addition, the target area sits at the bottom of a 40-foot cliff. Gun club members said they can't imagine how a bullet could fly up, over and into the subdivison.

"I'm a firearms instructor since 1982," said Dave Condon, the firing range's president and a Pelham police officer. "My first concern over anything is safety."

Condon said he wants to work with complaining homeowners. Residents have already convinced Town Supervisor Paul Feiner to back a measure that could force the club, which opened 73 years ago, to close.

"And we lose another place where those who can't afford an expensive range can shoot and police lose their training, and that's valuable, valuable time on the range," said Scott Sommavilla, president of the Westchester County Firearm Owners Association.

For now, club members are voluntarily holding their fire while the investigation continues.

Con Edison owns the firing range lands and charges the gun club a modest rent. The utility said it is reviewing the situation.

The Greenburgh Town Board will also meet Tuesday morning to discuss the issues about the gun range.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.