Coventry to take a closer look at the gun ranges in the yard

COVENTRY, Conn. (WTNH) — Coventry City Council unanimously approved a move to investigate backyard gun ranges.

The city is forming a committee to look into the backyard sport because some residents are concerned that a stray bullet or a missed target could hit too close to home.

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The Coventry Police Department responded to several of these complaints.

“Either they’re too close to their neighbor’s house, or they’re not shooting into a berm that’s maybe high enough,” said Coventry Police Chief Eric Peterson. “We had a case where someone was shooting boxes into the ground, and there was a rock wall behind the box.”

When clubs establish their gun ranges, federal and state standards and guidelines are followed. But if you want to install one in your yard, there are no state rules or regulations for that.

“I thought you had to be that far from another house to shoot a gun, but I guess not,” said Jordan Spencer, of Tolland.

Spencer says she shops and spends a lot of time in Coventry.

“You have a Second Amendment right as a citizen to own a gun, and your neighbor has a right to live his life safely, and the two can merge,” said Dudley Brant, of Coventry.

Brant is also a gun safety instructor.

The committee is expected to be made up of five people, including two firearms safety instructors and two general residents, as well as a planning and zoning member.

Members will make recommendations to the local council. But before any ordinance or land use change is made, there will be a public hearing, “Where the general community has an opportunity to voice their thoughts,” said Coventry City Council President Lisa Thomas (D).

Committee members will have nine months to set their sights on a solution that could keep gun owners and neighbors happy and safe.

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