YARMOUTH – Yarmouth Town Meeting voters in May will decide on a petitioner’s article that would amend the town’s gun laws.
The article would ban so-called “informal” shooting ranges set up on private property.
Brian Day said he lives near an informal range on Old Colony Bog off White’s Path in South Yarmouth.
“This really is a public safety issue. It’s a quality of life issue. We’re not driven by any anti-gun agenda or anti-hunting. Hunting is still permissible under the bylaw. We just want to make sure no one is getting hurt with these types of shooting ranges, hastily set up,” Day said.
Day said he moved to his home a couple of years ago and realized a shooting range was next door.
“Under state law, anyone can do this within 500 feet of their neighbor even if they don’t have the neighbor’s consent, so we’re trying to protect the town’s residents and give them some additional protection from this type of situation happening to them,” he said.
Day said he gathered 11 signatures on the petitioner’s article, one more than is required.
He said the people who signed the petition have several concerns.
“There’s neighborhood concern with the fact that they’re shooting directly into a conservation area that is used by joggers and hikers, so there’s concern that someone could be hurt there, in addition to the noise issues that are created when they are firing these types of weapons,” Day said.
Yarmouth Town Meeting begins on May 2.
