Fate of Barnstable Shooting Range Still Undecided

shooting rangeBARNSTABLE – The Barnstable Town Council has yet to make a decision on the fate of the closed West Barnstable Shooting Range.

Town Councilors postponed a vote on the matter as last week town and state officials continue to work towards a memorandum of understanding on conservation land.

The range had to be closed after it was discovered that it could not be on conservation land. Town officials are exploring the possibility of creating new conservation land off of Breed’s Hill Road to, in turn, re-open the range in its current location.

Residents in favor of re-opening the range argue that Barnstable police officers need an area to properly train.

“They need to be able to move around, they need to be able to exercise, different target type options and rescue options and return fire options, if necessary,” said Hank Farnham, a West Barnstable resident and former Town Councilor, “they can’t do that other than in an open type setting such as what they have at our range.”

Opponents want to see the land remain as conservation land, and also say the range is too noisy. Farnham said he would like to see the range make an effort to soundproof the shooting stations out of respect for the neighbors.

 



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