'Why Do We Want To Invite This Into Town?' Shooting Ranges Debated In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — An amended land use ordinance that would allow specialty commercial recreation in certain zones, including indoor shooting ranges, drew debate at the recent Bridgewater Township Council meeting.

"I see potential problems. Other ranges in the area have had problems, deaths, suicides, children almost... having bullets whizzing by them. Why do we want to invite this into town?" asked Council President Joan Geiger at the Nov. 5 meeting.

The idea for the amended ordinance was first surfaced by Councilman Timothy Ring in July to allow more indoor commercial recreation uses in some zoning districts

"Our ordinance, as it has been for quite some time, specifically forbids certain uses. Indoor recreation things like bowling alleys, pool halls, live theater performance, indoor shooting ranges, various things that were actually not allowed anywhere in the township," said Ring at the Nov. 5 meeting. "And I do know it cost us at least one business."

According to the ordinance, which amends Chapter 126, the changes stem from the township’s Comprehensive Master Plan adopted Sept. 30, 2025.

The ordinance states the land use element recommended analyzing the code during future reexaminations to ensure consistency and remove obsolete provisions.

It also says changing demand in the suburban office market and for light industrial and commercial space has created opportunities to repurpose underutilized buildings under specific conditions.

Township planner Katherine Sarmad said the uses had been separated out because of "sensitivity" and that specialty commercial recreation and indoor shooting ranges were treated differently.

She said both were drafted as conditional uses, meaning they would be permitted only if all listed conditions were met. She also said access requirements were intended to keep the uses away from local residential roads.

"I appreciate it being separated out, but it still should not be with, you know, it's not the same as a bowling alley or an arcade," said Councilwoman Ridwana Isla.

Geiger raised objections to the indoor shooting range proposal and cited shooting range incidents, including on Oct. 10, when a 66-year-old man shot himself in the leg at a range in Union Township.

"I just don't see a need for this," Geiger said.

Council Vice President Andrew Bucko also shared his concerns with the shooting ranges.

"It just feels like allowing a shooting range equipment and pro shop requiring it to be basically on a highway is just inviting a robbery target where the perpetrator can then hop on a highway and get away quickly," said Bucko.

Ring noted that in general, gun stores are "very highly regulated to the point that if you walk in the store you cannot even look at a firearm" unless you have gone through a background check and have been issued a state of New Jersey firearms ID card.

Isla also said she had concerns and told the council she had done a quick search online and found two incidents relating to gun ranges.

"Guns kill," said Geiger.

"If used incorrectly," said Ring.

"Guns kill," Geiger repeated. "But these are incidents that happened in indoor ranges where people presumably, hopefully know a little bit about gun safety... Why are we inviting this into our community?"

Ring shared that he understood there was some opposition but was frustrated these concerns were not brought up several months ago.

Ultimately, Geiger moved to amend the ordinance to remove references to indoor shooting ranges.

When asked his opinion of the amendment, Ring said, "I don't want to turn this into a Second Amendment debate. Clearly, it's not in the best interest of the town. I've spoken my piece on the process."

During the roll call vote of the ordinance with the removal of shooting ranges, Geiger, Bucko and Isla voted in favor while Ring and Michael Kirsh voted against it.

The introduced ordinance must now go to the Planning Board before final action is scheduled for Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the courtroom.

The ordinance will be available for public inspection on the township website, on the bulletin board and in the clerk’s office.

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