Residents concerned over proposed Niles gun shop

NILES, Ill. -- The plan to open a suburban gun range is drawing criticism and a public hearing will be held Tuesday evening over a plan by the Village of Niles to open a sportsman club and firearms training academy.

Some residents are concerned about its proximity to three schools.

A zoning petition was filed to obtain a permit to allow firearm sales, an indoor firing range and safety training facility on the 6100 block of Howard St. in Niles. The Sportsman Club Training Academy would be located in an empty building in an industrial area.

Some residents are upset with the location of the club because of its proximity to three schools, Niles West High School in Skokie, Old Orchard Academy and New Hope Academy, a therapeutic school for emotionally troubled kids.

The village manager said the facility would be difficult to just walk into.

The village held a public hearing Tuesday night, where it was decided that the discussion would be deferred to July 7 in front of the zoning committee.