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Drivers Honk For Ramsey Gun Range Protesters

RAMSEY, N.J. – About 15 demonstrators stood outside Ramsey Borough Hall Wednesday morning waving homemade signs with statements like “No Gun Range In Ramsey,” and “Keep Ramsey Safe.”

Ramsey residents demonstrated in front of borough hall Wednesday to raise awareness about a pending gun range.

Ramsey residents demonstrated in front of borough hall Wednesday to raise awareness about a pending gun range.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson
Chance Parker, of Ramsey, is executive director of Ramsey United.

Chance Parker, of Ramsey, is executive director of Ramsey United.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson
Demonstrators stood on North Central Avenue in Ramsey to raise awareness about a pending gun range.

Demonstrators stood on North Central Avenue in Ramsey to raise awareness about a pending gun range.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson
Some Ramsey residents are opposed to a gun range opening in the borough.

Some Ramsey residents are opposed to a gun range opening in the borough.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson
Some residents opposed to a gun range opening in Ramsey demonstrated in front of borough hall Wednesday morning.

Some residents opposed to a gun range opening in Ramsey demonstrated in front of borough hall Wednesday morning.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson
Demonstrators waved their signs at passing motorists in Ramsey Wednesday morning.

Demonstrators waved their signs at passing motorists in Ramsey Wednesday morning.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson

And Chance Parker, executive director of Ramsey United, said it wouldn't be the last time. "We are going to make this a routine exercise," he said.

“We want to draw awareness and exposure to the issue,” Parker said as drivers on North Central Avenue beeped their horns at the demonstrators.

The issue: a proposed 60,000 square-foot indoor firing range at the former Liberty Travel building on Spring Street. An application for the facility – dubbed the Screaming Eagle Club – is pending with the Ramsey Planning Board.

After the borough received the application, the council introduced an ordinance last month that would ban the use of firearms at shooting ranges. The ordinance would revise one currently on the books that prohibits the firing of “any pistol, shotgun, rifle or other type of firearms anywhere in the borough,” but exempts indoor and outdoor firing ranges.

The ordinance was tabled earlier this month amidst threat of a lawsuit from the New Jersey Second Amendment Society. At the time, Ramsey Mayor Deirdre Dillion said the borough was in the process of obtaining a national law firm to represent the borough pro-bono in the event of litigation.

A council meeting is scheduled for tonight at 7:30 p.m. On the agenda is a resolution “authorizing the borough to enter into an agreement with Troutman Sanders for legal services, on a pro bono basis,” in connection with the ordinance.

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