A new recreational air gun shooting range in Pierrefonds is stirring up concern and debate among residents, enough so that the mayor is looking at revising bylaws to make sure such businesses are not located near homes and community centres.
"I don't know if it fits in that area," said Pierrefonds resident Itsik Romano, who drives everyday in that neighbourhood that includes homes, the borough cultural centre and a daycare.
"Is this really necessary here?"
And Romano said that after the deadly shooting in Florida,
"There's dangerous symbolism that's around us and now there's one more of that across our street," said Romano in an interview with CJAD 800 News.
"It's kind of a taint on the beautiful street we have in Pierrefonds."
Mayor Jim Beis agrees.
"I'm not happy about it but right now as it is the zoning permits it in this location," Beis told CJAD 800 News.
Beis said he's told city services to take another look at such commercial-residential zoning. Beis said he wants to avoid air gun shooting ranges, sex shops or erotic massage parlours from cropping up in similar areas.
"As council can we take the decision to remove that zoning in those areas?" said Beis.
"Is there a place for these institutions elsewhere? Possibly. More in an industrial zone? We need to look closely at these regulations and zoning bylaws with our services so we don't have these surprises."
Some residents on social media responded that it's no big deal, it's a harmless local business and it's just air guns.