Tom Nobile

Staff Writer, @TomNobile

RAMSEY — A Pennsylvania gun range safety officer has proposed building a 60,620-square-foot indoor firing range in the borough, a facility he said would be unique to the state for its size and scope.

The Planning Board heard testimony on the application Tuesday night.

Peter Cuttone of Honesdale, Pa., plans to renovate the former Liberty Travel building on Spring Street into a full-service firing range, complete with 67 firing stalls, a space for retail sales and a restaurant. The "Screaming Eagle Club" would have three separate areas: one for law enforcement, one for members only and one for the general public.

Those with a membership would have access to locker and bath facilities, and a country-club-style room with a fireplace, billiards and gaming, Cuttone said.

All areas of the facility would be under 24-hour surveillance, he said. The facility would have 60 to 75 employees, including full-time armed security officers at each of the three entrances, Cuttone said.

“The environment is meant to be welcoming, as well as safe and friendly,” he said of the facility.

But some residents have made clear that they don’t want it. An online petition created by resident Chance Parker — asking residents to say “No Go & No Guns” to the project — has garnered 554 supporters in under a week.

“We’re shocked to hear about this business possibly coming to our quiet, residential community,” Parker said. “It’s not consistent with the identity of the town.”

Carrie Rapp, whose home borders the property, worries about possible noise from gunshots.

“I feel like it would plummet my property values,” she said.

Noise emanating from the building would be “nonexistent," Cuttone said, because the interior would be lined with a sound-abatement material.

Members of the Planning Board peppered Cuttone with questions of their own Tuesday night regarding safety operations at the facility. Board Chairman Rudy Iorio called Cuttone’s testimony “theory and conjecture," because he has never owned or managed a similar facility.

Iorio also referred to a 2016 report by The Record, which revealed that seven suicides have occurred at New Jersey gun ranges since 2014, some committed by patrons who rented guns on site.

Cuttone responded that each employee would undergo training for suicide prevention, and to recognize drug and alcohol abuse.

“Those facilities did not have the control over its patrons that we will have,” Cuttone said.

Background checks for criminal and mental health issues would be conducted on each person who enters the facility, including law enforcement, Cuttone said.

All first-time arrivals must go through a check-in procedure, which involves demonstrating competency with a plastic gun and completing a written and physical safety evaluation, Cuttone said. People who enter must check their firearms when they walk in, and will not receive them again until they enter the range stall.

“No one can walk around armed,” Cuttone said.

Mayor Deirdre Dillon questioned the 10-hour training course all range safety officers are required to undergo. “That seems like a minimal amount for someone with so much responsibility for safety,” Dillon said.

Cuttone said the course is “very comprehensive" and that employees would be held to the highest standards of safety knowledge.

Board member Howard Cantor suggested metal detectors be installed to ensure no unchecked guns enter the range.

Another hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21.

Email: nobile@northjersey.com