WI: Shooting Range Protection signed by Governor Walker

Gun Watch ^ | 12 April, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

SB527, the Wisconsin range protection legislation, passed the legislature with wide margins,  19 - 13 in the Senate and  65-35 in the House.   It was signed into law by Governor Walker on 9 April, 2014. 

The law builds on current law which exempts sport shooting ranges from zoning ordinances related to noise and grandfathers in ranges that legally existed prior to July 16th, 2013.

This bill extends immunity from lawsuit to the owners and operators of the shooting ranges, and exempts shooting ranges from state or local zoning conditions or rules related to noise or to nonconforming use, including zoning laws related to shorelands or navigable waters, and immunity from civil liability related to the use or accumulation of projectiles on the range or other real property of the owner that is contiguous to the range.   Here is an example of one of the protections in the bill:

  An owner, operator, officer, or board member of a sport shooting range, and any employee or volunteer acting on behalf of the owner or operator who provided recommendations regarding the operation of a sport shooting range, are immune from any civil action based solely on the negligent action of a user of the sport shooting range.

It is clear that Wisconsin is learning the lessons of other States, where local governments have successfully shut down long established ranges.     The Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club in Washington State (est. 1926) has been under attack for years by local opponents who claim that property values will increase if the Club is shut down.   The Kitsap struggle continues to this day.    The latest tactic is to claim that the Club needed zoning permission to do maintenance on a long established driveway. 

There are controversies with ranges in Wisconsin that may be affected.   The Hartland Sportsmen's Club is currently suing Delafield, Wisconsin to continue in operation. 

Allegations that shooting range land is sought by developers who use zoning power to obtain it run rampant in controversies that I have observed over the years.     A coalition between second amendment opponents  who wish to stop shooting anywhere, anytime that they can, and those who see a possibility for significant financial gain, is often perceived.

Shooting ranges have been shut down all over the country,  making the ability to target practice or to meet legal requirements for carry permits difficult in many locations.  No ranges currently exist in Chicago, and only one indoor range is available to the public in New York City.

©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
Link to Gun Watch

[marktwain]

Wisconsin is ripe for more reform.

[Senator_Blutarski]

"Law of the land"

"Settled law"

"The debate is over"

"We should jail the deniers"

[USS Alaska]

I shoot at ranges provided by my sporting/hunting goods taxes at PA state game lands {where permitted} but my favorite "shooting range" is an old slag dump behind an abandoned mine.

Many locals know of this place, and with it's 200 foot high backstop {which is 500 yards in length} it is as safe as any range I've ever used.

Bring your own targets, and shooting bench and police up your trash and everyone is welcome.

My grand kids love to shoot, especially the grand daughter, and when they visit, we head to one of the ranges for hours of fun {and on going safety instruction and training}.

[lurk]

Scott Walker is certainly filling up his legislative resume.

[CodeToad]

Excellent. Nice addition.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Wisconsin’s Gov. Walker signs law to support shooting ranges.

FReep Me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I’m still advocating that with a state gun liberty law, underground ranges could be built in metropolitan areas in industrial districts, which would provide big advantages to gun owning city dwellers.

To start with, industrial parks usually have very large and expensive warehouses, whose costs could be shared with gun ranges below them, to the advantage of both. Such parks also usually have lots of parking, and there would be no problem with NIMBY complaints. Lead recovery would also be very easy.

The underground range would have to have a very good, filtered ventilation system, which after the facility itself would be the largest continuing cost.

But the advantages are numerous. All year, all weather operations. Convenience to gun owners, who could shoot much more frequently. LEOs could do their gun qualifications there. There could also be packaged food and beverages, a quiet play area for young children, a classroom for instruction, you name it.

[marktwain]

It is an exc4ellent business opportunity for someone. Just look at the Scottsdale Gun Club as an exemplar.

[moovova]

You left out “Common sense law”.