Date: Wed, 14 Dec 1994 00:21:58 -0500 From: alerts@gatekeeper.nra.org (NRA Alerts) To: firearms-alert@shell.portal.com Subject: NOTICE: IN - NRA-ILA Pursing Range Protection Legislation December 13, 1994 Attention all Indiana NRA members: NRA-ILA will be pursuing Range Protection legislation during the 1995 General Assembly session. Now is the time to make sure that your gun club or organization is ready to get involved. Call your county office of Voter Registration to find what STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT and STATE SENATE DISTRICT in which you reside. The following information explains the issue, Gun owners just need you to carry the message. After you know who you elected officials are, write me a note with your address and phone, so that we can set up a meeting with them during the session. Eric Donaldson Indiana State Liaison WHY DOES YOUR STATE NEED A RANGE PROTECTION LAW? Firearms shooting ranges have established a long tradition of service to a wide variety of citizen groups in local communities. However, population shifts from urban to suburban or rural areas have moved new groups of citizens in closer proximity to existing ranges. In recent years, this has resulted in hundreds of lawsuits and complaints filed by newcomers against range owners or the passage of local ordinances aimed at closing ranges because of noise, times of operation and facility expansion to accommodate growing interest and shooting club membership levels. It is critical that states adopt legislation to ensure that ranges remain open for operation and that range owners are protected from civil court action, criminal prosecution, or other local board, commission, committee or similar-type body action. ARGUMENTS FOR RANGE PROTECTION LEGISLATION Firearm shooting ranges have longstanding records of safely providing important public services and recreational or training opportunities. * Firearm shooting ranges often serve as training facilities for local law enforcement officials and military personnel. * Firearm shooting ranges offer firearm and hunter education and safety courses, providing invaluable hands-on instruction in the safe and proper handling and use of firearms for shooting club members or citizens exercising their fundamental right to self- protection. * Firearm shooting ranges serve as a location to hold both informal practice sessions and organized competitions for those engaged in recreational shooting. Without protection afforded by such legislation, shooting ranges which offer valuable public services and recreational opportunities while posing no hazard to nearby residents will continue to remain vulnerable to arbitrary sanctions by local bureaucrats. WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE... In 1994, the Michigan and New York state legislatures both passed bills protecting range owners and operators from nuisance lawsuits based on local noise standards. Michigan also passed a bill that will protect range owners and operators from civil liability lawsuits brought upon them by range users. Other states which have passed range protection legislation include Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Vermont.