Some residents in Stafford Township hope the town will consider other areas for a proposed gun range.

Neighbors tell News 12 New Jersey the proposed police department indoor and outdoor gun range would be off St. Mary Avenue.

They want to make it clear that they fully support local police but want the town to find an area better suited for the gun range.

The residents provided News 12 New Jersey a map that shows how close the range would be to homes, schools and the Garden State Parkway.

There are 1,000 homes within a mile radius, according to the map of the proposed range.

Neighbors hope their concerns will be heard by the township before the proposed range becomes a reality.

"I was shocked, honestly, that they would consider putting a shooting range within 3,000 feet of a local high school, athletic fields, as close as 870 feet to the nearest home, close to the Parkway and there's over 1,000 homes in a 1-mile radius," says resident Andy Isaksen.

"My main concern is the high school and all our athletes and visiting towns coming to activities that they are within the gun blast range, in addition to that the contamination of the lead and close proximity to Manahawkin Lake," said resident Glenn Sorbara.

Stafford Township Mayor Greg Myhre spoke to News 12 New Jersey Friday and said he's heard the concerns from residents and understands the area is not the ideal location. He added that there's a good possibility that the proposal is officially off the table.