News 12 @ 6 o'clock, November 18, 2009

AIKEN, S.C. --- Shots being fired on a gun range could be a reality for an East Aiken County community if a proposal to rezone the area passes.

"I really don't want a gun range next to my house," said Darryl Messer who says the proposal for a gun range in his quiet neighborhood will cause more good than good. "I think the absolute noise and being scared of the gunshots would probably be the worst thing," said Messer.

Neighbors say the noise isn't the only reason they don't want a gun range. They believe it'll be too close for comfort at to East Aiken Elementary school.

"My first thought was a gun range? Next to the school?" asked Messer.

"That's a little scary. I agree there should be gun ranges in certain locations but in this proximity, it's too close to the school. We're talking about 700 yards and that's too close for comfort," said Bill Bernard. He grew up on a Rushton Road and says the thought of a gun range across the road sends his sense of security up in smoke. "My children come over here to Grandma's house to play and I wonder. Is it going to be safe for my kids to run around in the yard. Is a stray bullet going to come whizzing through the woods?" asked Bernard.

Neighbors say one of the biggest concerns for them, is it's unclear if the proposed gun range would be indoors or outdoors. Darryl says if the proposal does pass and a gun range comes into his neighborhood, he says he'll only have one option.

"I will probably move. I'd probably move," said Messer.

We did call Aiken County Planning and Development to see if the proposal would call for an indoor or outdoor facility. All they could tell us is the proposal is to rezone the area but they couldn't say for what. There will be a public hearing Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 6PM on the issue. School officials and neighbors say they plan to be there.