West Goshen to Upgrade Firing Range Safety

The West Goshen Board of Supervisors voted to approve temporary safety measures at the township’s firing range to be constructed as soon as possible.

The concerns about the range’s safety came from residents who live in a housing development adjacent to the range.  Many of those residents feel that the range presents an unnecessary danger.

The current range was constructed in 1962 and was built to safety standards in place at the time.  However, those criteria have changed.

Township engineer Richard Craig designed the new safety measures and says that they are up to criteria laid out by the National Riffle Association.

The proposed changes are estimated to cost between $40,000 and $60,000 with construction to begin as soon as possible.

According to Craig the new safety features include a 640 feet long, 10 feet high timber fence to keep people out, a six feet tall chain-link fence topped with barbed wire and a regrading of the 30 feet berm that acts as a backstop to the range.

The new safety features will also include two concrete berms that be 180 feet long, three feet thick and nine feet tall.  The new design also calls for timber baffles that will start at eight feet of height and extend to 12 feet.

All of these measures are intended to keep bullets within the confines of the range and to keep out any unauthorized use.

Several residents expressed their concerns during the heated public comment session.

The most common complaint among residents was the necessity of the police force to train at this specific range.  Many residents argued that the police force could use facilities in Coatesville or Delaware County to receive the same training.

“When our officers are practicing, they are on duty,” said Supervisor Dr. Robert White.  “We need them here in case something happens.”

Residents also expressed fears that the proposed temporary fixes would in fact become permanent.

In his proposal, Craig had said that the permanent solution would include complete baffling and that the permanent baffles would be made of timber and steal instead of timber and stone.

The estimated cost of the permanent fixtures is currently in the $250,000 to $300,000 range.

Officers at the meeting assured residents that the shooting range would not be used until the temporary safety measures were in place.