The proposed indoor Arabi firing range and gun store can move forward, as long as owner constructs certain sound control measures
The St. Bernard Parish Council, which met across the street from a fireworks stand ready to usher in 2013, passed an amended 2012 budget on Friday. But by far the most fireworks of the afternoon came during a proposal to allow the reopening of a local pre-Hurricane Katrina firing range.
St. Bernard Parish Council meeting drew fire from audience.
The proposed indoor Arabi firing range and gun store drew shots from some of the 28 neighbors who signed a petition opposing it. The discussion often digressed into a pro- and anti-gun debate, even bringing in the recent Connecticut school shooting.
"To say that the constituents of Arabi have been engaged in this topic is an understatement," said Councilman Ray Lauga, who represents that district. "I agree that I don't want people in their backyards to be hearing gunshots, but I believe if Mr. LeBouef does what he says he is going to, which will be mandated under the conditional use permit, that will not happen."
The ordinance that passed on Friday, allowing the indoor firing range to reopen, mandates that certain sound control measures (such as foam installation) are constructed before Brannon LeBouef can receive his certificate of occupancy permit for the 208-212 Aycock St. site.
Jan Hirschey, who lives near the proposed range and submitted a petition signed by 28 area residents against it, said it would be "an annoying, awful intrusion" into their neighborhood.
"I don't care whether this is legal or not legal ... I don't care about another business opening. I just want to tell you that the noise pollution is unacceptable," Hirschey said.
She recalled before Katrina hearing "bullets breaking the sound barrier" and "that popping cracking when it travels." Another neighbor feared for children waiting at a nearby school bus stop, and another feared not being able to enjoy her backyard hot tub in peace.
Councilman Casey Hunnicutt told LeBouef that he'd received calls of concerns from some constituents, especially after the recent Connecticut school shooting.
LeBouef spoke about controls in place before a person can buy a firearm, and, in terms of nearby school children, he said: "I'd want my child to be as close to that gun shop as possible if someone tried to take my child from that bus stop."
Meanwhile, Councilman George Cavignac, who will take over as council chairman next year, attempted to narrow the discussion.
"We are not going to make this a gun-control issue," Cavignac said. "This is not about whether you like guns or don't...we need to make these standards so they are fine for everyone."
Quoting Robert Frost, Cavignac told LeBouef, "Good fences make good neighbors... These people need to live day in and day out as your neighbors."
Meanwhile, in terms of the amended 2012 budget, the council approved a year-end budget showing nearly $3 million in savings from the 82 parish employee positions that the parish government eliminated throughout the year. The 2013 budget, officially passed at the council meeting earlier this month, likely will be tweaked next month, in part due to those year-end budget revisions.