This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

What Have We Become?

Every so often a town should step back from its daily ruckus and ask: What have we become? Chester might do that now. On Wig Hill, a group of neighbors is grappling with what they consider a public nuisance and matter of public safety.

The neighbors abut a private shooting range operated by a property owner who apparently believes his rights supersede all others. After years of making dozens of complaints to police, who say they have no law or rules to enforce, the Wig Hill abutters petitioned the Board of Selectmen. Selectmen called a meeting for Oct. 21. Petitioners made a terrible mistake, I believe, and asked for an excessively broad ordinance banning discharge of guns anywhere in town, except for hunting. This ignored property rights of gun owners and gun range owners. However, this Wig Hill gun range owner, who lives out of town, has given no cooperation in this matter. His behavior could ruin it for everyone.

The petitioners found themselves Oct. 21 in a packed meeting overwhelmingly outnumbered by gun owners, shooters, and others quick to defend some-but not all-property rights. It would seem from the meeting some people believe the right to shoot a gun and disregard neighbors supersedes any and all neighbors' rights to live in peace without fear a bullet will accidentally stray and kill or maim someone. Many hundreds of people are injured and many dozens are killed every year in U.S. shooting accidents, so a fear of guns handled improperly isn't irrational.

If most Chester residents-who I would contend were not adequately informed or represented Oct. 21-believe this is an example of good government and good community cooperation, then maybe it's time Chester asks itself what it has become.

Joe CohenChester