GRANBY -- Granby Bow and Gun Club filed a lawsuit against the town last week to appeal the Zoning Board of Appeals' recent determination that upholds selectmen's decision to shut down the club's half-mile long rifle range.

The Board of Selectmen issued a cease and desist order against the club in September that remains in effect. That order does not impact shooting at the other rifle ranges at the club, which are not as long.

Granby Bow and Gun Club, located at 85 Chicopee St., appealed the selectmen's decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals, which agreed with selectmen in a ruling issued last month.

The lawsuit against the town was filed in state land court in Boston on Jan. 8.

The plaintiffs, who are represented by Worcester attorney Justin Raphaelson, allege that the ZBA exceeded its authority by prohibiting club members from enjoying an activity, target shooting, that has gone on at the club since its founding in 1947.

Selectmen said the 1,015-yard range at the club was an expansion of use, and therefore the organization is required to obtain a special permit from the planning board, which it did not do.

The plaintiffs, during the ZBA hearing, said the club has grandfathered rights to operate the new range, built in 2016, because target shooting at the site pre-dates Granby's enactment of zoning bylaws.

In addition to the municipality, the ZBA and its six members are defendants.

The ZBA members being sued individually are Alan Champagne, Brian Kennedy, Ronald Harrop, Jeremy Carriere, Kathleen Bronner, and Donald Zembrowski.

A trial date has not been set.