A gun range may be coming to the village of Montgomery.
Bhairvi Brown and her partner, Joe Bonifas, had sought approval to bring BJ’s Shooting Range to 1840 Douglas Road, between an exercise store and a discount retail facility in the Settler’s Landing Center. However, members of the Montgomery Plan Commission declined to give their approval for that site, suggesting that the facility could go somewhere else in the village, such as in a manufacturing district.
“I talked the real estate agent, and we will find something in other areas,” Brown said. “I don’t want to take up the board’s time. I will ask we hold the issue while we consider other locations in the village.”
Brown wants to bring a gun range where education about guns will be highlighted. She also wants to sell and rent weapons.
“A lot of people don’t own guns. They want to try several out,” she said.
Chris Kouros and Jim Lekatsos run the Planet Fitness that would have been next door to the proposed facility if it would have located on Douglas Road.
They said were concerned with that type of business in the commercial corridor.
Bonifas said the pair are “entitled to their opinion, and I appreciate that.”
Brown said shooting is an activity enjoyed by many adults.
“My partner is a disabled Marine veteran. I want a place to shoot and be comfortable,” she said.
One of the Plan Commission members said he is not against the gun range, just the first proposed location. “I don’t want to discourage, but I am not a fan of putting it on Douglas Road,” Patrick Kelsey said.
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Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.