LITTLE EGG HARBOR – Weeks before the ink dried on the ordinance approving its purchase, whispers of Ocean County’s intentions to acquire Shooters Sporting Center on Route 539 had already begun to ripple through the local community.
The news brought in a steady stream of patrons to the facility as 2023 came to an end. The air buzzed with the rhythmic crackle of gunfire and the scent of gunpowder. While some braced themselves for their final rounds on the firing range, others milled about the retail store.
Four of the five Ocean County Commissioners voted to approve the $10.5 million purchase of Shooters as a dedicated training facility for local law enforcement agencies on December 20, 2023. Commissioner Jack Kelly, though supportive, recused himself from the vote because of a past business tie with Shooters’ Managing Director, Tom Gormley.
To finance the acquisition, the ordinance passed by the commissioners also authorized the issuance of $9.9 million in bonds or bond anticipation notes. With the purchase agreement and funding secured, authorities expect the deal to be finalized by the end of January 2024. This paves the way for the transformation of Shooters into a state-of-the-art law enforcement training facility.
“For the past ten years since I took office, finding a range for our officers to qualify has been a constant struggle,” said Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy. “The lack of one has cost us in both money and efficiency.”
Several challenges plagued the search for a suitable law enforcement training range. Finding land that met safety and zoning requirements, particularly within environmental regulations set by the State Department of Environmental Protection and Pinelands Commission, proved difficult. The emergence of Shooters Sporting Center on the market in August 2023 presented a rare opportunity to overcome these hurdles.
Mastronardy pointed out that of county employees alone, approximately 500 officers need regular firearms training and qualifications. This includes 170 from the sheriff’s office, over 200 from the county jail, and the balance from the prosecutor’s office.
The acquisition marks the end of a logistical headache for county law enforcement agencies, eliminating the need for last-minute scrambles to secure training facilities and significantly reducing overtime costs.
A survey of Ocean County police chiefs also identified a significant demand for a firearms training facility for local law enforcement agencies.
“We determined that 1,426 officers need to shoot twice a year, and that’s just with their handguns,” said Mastronardy. “We have another 200 recruits at the Academy that also have to shoot.”
Over 20 of the county’s 31 police departments have already indicated they plan to participate in the use of the range once it opens up to law enforcement. The acquisition has also attracted the attention of outside sources, such as the state police and transit police, who have expressed an interest in the training facility.
Commissioner Gary Quinn said that making the facility available to outside agencies could be a potential revenue source to supplement the acquisition cost. He also shared an additional consideration.
“We’re hoping to provide this service at no cost to the local police departments,” said Quinn. “The Sheriff did some background work for me and determined that Atlantic County has a (police) range they don’t utilize on weekends. They open it up to the public during that time, so they come in and meet the requirements they need to qualify.”
Quinn said Ocean County is looking at a similar scenario with a nominal charge assessed to non-law enforcement officers looking to use the range. This will not go into effect until after operations have been finalized.
“We’re working with the Sheriff on a plan to have it in place before we take over the site,” Quinn said. “We are planning on retaining some of the people the current owner has in place because of their qualifications. We have to ensure we have the right people who know how to run things and keep it to the standards the former owner has kept over the years. He’s done a fantastic job.”
Beyond the immediate purpose of a law enforcement training facility, the 26-acre property presents a significant opportunity for future county development. With only 6 acres currently utilized, the remaining land holds potential for additional public buildings and infrastructure, offering flexibility for long-term growth. Authorities believe that the acquisition acts as an additional resource as far as a presence in Southern Ocean County.
Shooters Retail Store
While the echoes of guns hitting targets ceased fire on the last day of 2023, the retail store within the range remains open. It is slated for a nostalgic relocation back to its original home at 218 Main Street in West Creek.
Brielle Hoffacker, the current Shooters store manager, is taking the helm as the new owner of “Shooters Hardware.” To ease the transition and show appreciation for its loyal customers, Shooters Hardware will be honoring all existing Shooters gift certificates, layaways, repairs/warranties, and pending firearm transactions. Relocation is expected sometime this month.
