Alphecca

More on Range Noise

I mentioned a couple days ago that there was a bill in the Virginia assembly that would protect rifle ranges from local noise ordinances. That bill would also protect future planned ranges. Now, a bill has been introduced into the Vermont legislature that would protect existing ranges from lawsuits, criminal prosecution, and harassment. From the Bennington Banner:

Bennington-- Two local legislators are introducing a bill today in Montpelier that would protect the state's gun clubs, although its effect on Shaftsbury's lawsuit-entangled Hale Mountain Fish and Game Club is unknown.

The bill would give more teeth to statutes already on the books that protect gun clubs from criminal prosecution resulting from noise pollution if they are already in compliance with municipal and state noise ordinances, said Rep. Joseph L. Krawczyk, Jr., R-Bennington, a co-sponsor of the bill.

Hopefully, it would prevent clubs from having to go to court and pay thousands of dollars in legal fees in cases they will undoubtedly win, he said.

Krawczyck and the bill's other sponsor, Rep. Mary A. Morrissey, R-Bennington, had gathered 60 signatures by Monday. They hope to have 80 by today when they introduce it on the House floor. Both are concerned that if shooting clubs disappear, law enforcement agencies and the National Guard who practice and are certified there will be at a loss.

So will hunters needing to take safety courses, said Morrissey.

"If you don't keep them open, you'll have people doing target practice wherever they want. It creates a serious hazard," she said.

The bill also says that people who bought property near an already-existing gun club have no right to bring nuisance action against the club for noise pollution. In addition, municipal regulations on the use of firearms would have to be consistent with state law.