An indoor simulation gun range will open in two storefronts in a commercial strip center on the east side of Oswego.
The Village Board recently approved a special use permit to two business partners that intend to operate the facility in the 1500 block of Route 34.
Bhairvi Brown and Joseph Bonifas propose to occupy two spaces comprised of 2,400 square feet at the north end of the commercial building there that is anchored by Tuffy Tire & Auto Center. It is the same commercial strip mall where village trustees recently reviewed a concept for a third video gambling cafe in the village.
BJ’s Shooting would feature indoor marksmanship simulation shooting aimed at both training and entertainment, developers said.
At the April 11 meeting, the developers explained the virtual simulation would be similar to a life-sized video game. They said no live ammunition or live weapons would be used.
However, trustees had concerns of having a situation with a real weapon on the premises. The village requested that the owners enforce a concealed carry restriction to help prevent actual firearms from getting into a simulation room and being confused with the simulated weapons.
Police Chief Jeff Burgner, who had also expressed concerns of intermingling a real weapon with a simulated one, met with the owners following that meeting.
Trustees on a second reading of the ordinance approved the special use permit for an amusement facility with that concealed-carry restriction. The owners will be required to have signage on the door informing patrons that no real firearms are allowed inside.
“They agreed on the condition that they would not allow concealed-carry weapons into the business,” City Administrator Dan Di Santo said. “Our concern was that they would be confused with fake weapons.”
The village also didn’t like the idea of having live weapons stored in lockers.
“We didn’t want a transaction involving a customer where they would remove a gun from a holster and put it into a locker. We prefer there be no guns at all in the business,” he said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News
