JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- Small children have been learning at Montessori Tides Elementary School for more than 20 years, but parents say a proposed pistol range right across the street could change that. School administrator Brad Hatton is concerned a new gun range could put their little ones in danger.
"Putting this 150 feet from where we sit currently and 200 feet from my playground line of sight with a gun; an accident happens and can happen," he said. "At some point, you're putting 97 children at risk."
The attorney for the proposed pistol range had no comment for Action News, but local NRA instructor Patrick Marino says the range could actually bring safety to the Beaches school.
"Everyone in the firearms community are basically safety conscious," said Marino. "There are those that don't have the proper training and they should get that proper training."
Hatton told us he's not against having a range at the beach, just not as his school's neighbor.
"I own a gun, I have one at home," he said. "But you add that up and you say bakery, five-star restaurant, two elementary schools across the street, a day care just down the road and then a gun range? It just doesn't fit."
Both sides should get some answers tonight when the controversy goes to the City Planning Board. They'll be voting on whether the range can open.
