Man Arrested for Target Shooting Near Residential Neighborhood

An Oxford man was arrested last week for target shooting with a .22 caliber rifle in an area close to homes and people, according to a police report.

Around noon on March 5, police were called to the area of Ancient Highway for a report of gunfire, the report states. There they found Christopher Rotman, 24, of 33 Ancient Highway, target shooting with a .22, police say.

“Rotman was found to be target shooting in an area where the shooting put neighboring property and persons in the way of potential harm,” the report states. “Residents are reminded that it is mandatory that any target shooting in Oxford must be done in such a way that does not endanger others.”

Nobody was harmed during the incident, police said. 

Oxford Resident Trooper Sgt. Dan Semosky said Rotman did not ask police where he could target shoot. (See the explanation of state law below.) 

Rotman was charged with reckless endangerment and released on a written promise to appear at Derby Superior Court at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11.

Here is what the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says about target shooting on its website: 

Is it legal to conduct target practice on private property? 
Yes. However, the shooter must consult local regulations which may prohibit discharge of firearms within the town's limits. Additionally, the location of the property for target shooting must satisfy concerns for down range safety. Also, if local regulations allow target practice, and the property satisfies concerns for down range safety, noise from gunfire may disturb neighbors. To help prevent alarm and misunderstanding, notify neighbors and also local law enforcement officials when and where the target practice will occur.