The Medina Assembly of God Church is exploring the idea of building a gun range on property it owns in nearby Lafayette Township. The church has been working with Lafayette Township trustees for the last couple of weeks, Township Trustee Michael Costello said.
"We don't have any authority. We're in a township and discharging a firearm in a township in the state of Ohio is legal," Costello explained.
The church owned land is near Deerview Lane which is lined with houses, Medina County Park District's Buckeye Woods and nearby railroad tracks. "I have no problem with it at all if it is done safely," said homeowner Gordon Stallings.
Costello said all three of the trustees are gun owners and shoot regularly, but he said he is concerned. "I have to think about the people in the park, I have to think about the train going by," Costello added.
"Just because we don't have authority doesn't mean we don't have reasonability," said Lafayette Township Trustee Lynda Bowers.
Costello said they are in the process of setting up a meeting with church leaders.
Church leaders did not return our calls for comment.
