Gun Shop, Shooting Range To Open on 6th Street

Black Diamond will open a gun shop and shooting range at its Oak Creek facility, 6925 S. 6th St., after the Common Council gave unanimous approval Monday.

The state-of the art shooting range will emphasize safety, education and enjoyment of shooting sports, owner Deborah Teglia has said. Black Diamond also plans to sell firearms and ammunition, as well as accessories such as clothing and ear and eye protection.

"This is something that is needed in our metropolitan area. There's a lack of available, clean and safe training facilities," she said.

Black Diamond, which specializes in pavement and surfacing services, will house the new services in 17,000 square feet of empty space at its 6th Street building.

Timing raises eyebrows

The council voted at the same time a vigil was being held at the Sikh temple marking the 1-year anniversary of last year's mass shooting. 

When the proposal was in front of the Plan Commission in June, commissioner Dawn Carrillo raised security, policy and moral questions about the facility. She noted the facility's location, just a mile-and-a-half from the temple, and the proposal coming less than a year after last summer's deadly shooting. 

Her comments drew the ire of local conservative talk radio and disagreements from other commissioners and city and elected officials. 

Aldermen have said they were impressed with Black Diamond's proposal, particularly its safety measures.

"It's going to be a place where people are going to want to go to and relax and enjoy the training, and shoot in a quality place," said Alderman Steven Kurkowski, a retired law enforcement officer.

On Monday night, numerous people spoke at a public hearing in favor of the proposal, City Administrator Gerald Peterson said. 

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