MASSENA –Federal border agents will continue shooting at the Massena Rod and Gun Club without curtailing members’ ability to use the club’s range.

The club has been allowing U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel to use the club’s shooting range, but some members felt they were being shut out of their own club by the officers.

Representatives of CBP and ICE met with the club’s board of directors to reach an agreement so that federal training does not prevent local members from enjoying the club’s gun ranges.

At the request of the gun club’s leadership, U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Rep. William Owens stressed to the federal agencies the need for CBP and ICE field office heads in Massena to coordinate with the gun club in order to ensure that their officers use the range for training and qualification sessions without barring dues-paying members from using the club for long stretches of time.

After the lawmakers’ push, the club owners report that coordination between club members is significantly improved, and that both members and federal agencies are using the range on a schedule that works for both groups.

After being contacted by the owners and board of the club, Schumer and Owens agreed to work to facilitate a solution. The representatives highlighted a need for the area’s 200 highly trained federal agents to not displace the 1,200 gun club members, including veteran marksmen, frequent hunters and novices.

Schumer and Owens noted that CBP and ICE agents’ increasing use of the Massena club’s shooting ranges for qualification courses, trainings and certifications had been frustrating the club’s members.

Schumer and Owens said they specifically took issue with the policy that unnecessarily prevents shooting sportsmen from sharing the ranges with law enforcement agents during certain training exercises. Both members of Congress said they recognize the value of the club to law enforcement due to its first-rate facilities and convenient location near the ICE Field Office in Massena.

“We are very happy with the response and cooperation of the federal agents who are working with our gun club and its members to better accommodate everyone,” said Dave and Betsy VanOrnum, Massena Rod and Gun Club owners. “Without the help of Senator Schumer and Congressman Owens, we wouldn’t have had this meeting at all. As result of it, we enjoy much better communications.”

“I am glad to hear that communication has improved between all parties and that progress is being made toward a workable plan that will satisfy the Massena Rod and Gun Club, local gun owners and border security personnel alike,” Rep. Owens said.