Call to close shooting range in Greenburgh after stray bullet incident

ARDSLEY, N.Y. (WABC) -- There's a call to close a rifle range in Westchester County after a woman was grazed by a bullet fragment.

Police confirm the fragment came from the Westchester Police Revolver and Rifle League in Greenburgh.

"It's a public safety hazard period," said John Lebberes, a resident.

That so-called hazard can't be seen from the street, but Newscopter 7 shows a shooting range on the site of an old rock quarry in the Town of Greenburgh.

Last month, a woman was grazed in the leg by a bullet fragment that ricocheted over a hundred yards into the Ardsley Chase Development, putting residents on edge.

"Every home has children, so I think it's more about the safety of the children," said Cloud Ettinger, a resident.

Despite its name, the Westchester Police Revolver and Rifle League is not formally affiliated with any agency. But many of its 400 members are active or retired law enforcement officers. The range opened in 1941.

"Where it's situated at this particular time, with the number of people that have moved into the community, compared to what it was like 50, 60 or 70 years ago, it's a big difference," Lebberes said.

The lawyer representing the range calls it phenomenally safe and described what happened as a rare, isolated incident. He says some safety improvements have been made.

The range will no longer use steel plate targets, and will reinforce the backstop. It's also asking the NRA to evaluate the facility.

However, the Greenburgh Town supervisor has written to the attorney general and other lawmakers asking that the range be shut down.

"I do not object to gun ranges, but I don't think gun ranges should be located in a residential area," said Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor.

The range has voluntarily suspended operations until a police investigation is complete, though many hope the gates will be closing for good.