HUNTINGTON BEACH : Public to Get Access to Firing Range

The Huntington Beach Police Officers’ Assn. decided this week to open its shooting range to the public on a limited basis beginning in May.

Gun owners will be able to practice at the range two Sundays a month, said Richard Wright, the police association’s president.

Currently, the range is used only by law enforcement agencies. The public portion of the facility has been closed for about 18 months because of a need to rebuild it to make it safer. Local gun owners have lobbied the City Council to reopen the public range at Central Park and resolve a lease stalemate with the police association. At Monday’s City Council meeting, gun owners once again raised the issue.

“All we want is a place to safely do our sport in the confines of our city,” said resident Bryan Bridges.

More than 50 people attended Monday’s meeting, including police association members, who carried placards detailing the group’s support of local organizations and schools with proceeds from the shooting range. Wright said the association donated $39,000 over the past 14 months to civic organizations.

Mayor Victor Leipzig said that the city has negotiated with the police association for two years over leases for the public and police shooting ranges. The ranges are located on city-owned property, but run by the association.

“One major hurdle is the timing of the improvements,” Leipzig said.

Wright said needed upgrades to both ranges are estimated at about $4 million and that a long-term agreement is needed in order to pay for the improvements. A City Council subcommittee plans to meet Friday to discuss the city’s plan to resolve the issue, Councilman David Sullivan said.

In the meantime, the association has decided to share the police range with gun owners until the lease issue is resolved, Wright said Monday.