The Demonrats went after the NRA with the proposed law below. The only range in the state that meets those specific requirements is the NRA range at the Fairfax headquarters building, though it now seems possible a few of the large multi-location stores that have a indoor range could be affected as well.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 18.2 a section numbered 18.2-511.2 as follows:
§ 18.2-511.2. Indoor shooting ranges; prohibited in private buildings; exceptions; penalty.
A. As used in this section, “indoor shooting range” means any fully enclosed or indoor area or facility designed for the use of rifles, shotguns, pistols, silhouettes, skeet, trap, or black powder or any other similar sport shooting.
B. It is unlawful to operate an indoor shooting range in any building not owned or leased by the Commonwealth or the federal government unless (i) fewer than 50 employees work in the building or (ii) (a) at least 90 percent of the users of the indoor shooting range are law-enforcement officers, as defined in § 9.1-101, or federal law-enforcement officers, (b) the indoor shooting range maintains a log of each user’s name, phone number, address, and the law-enforcement agency where such user is employed, and (c) the indoor shooting range verifies each user’s identity and address by requiring all users to present a government-issued photo-identification card.
C. Any person that violates the provisions of this section is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $100,000 for the initial violation and $5,000 per day for each day of violation thereafter.
The 50 employees in a building is what makes it a clear attack on the NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, VA, which includes a museum and an INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE. Absolutely more than 50 employees there! Can’t think of any other indoor ranges in VA with 50 employees.
Now a sheethead from Charlottesville has filed this gem. We’re going to have to seriously send some trash home in the next election. This would effectively eliminate half the outdoor ranges in VA, there is a law currently in effect that “grandfathers” in existing ranges from noise and other complaints meant to lawfare ranges out of existence. The new proposal would make most of the older ranges on the eastern side of the state out of compliance.
SENATE BILL NO. 353 Offered January 8, 2020 Prefiled January 6, 2020A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 18.2 a section numbered 18.2-511.2, relating to outdoor shooting ranges; prohibited adjacent to residential areas; exceptions; civil penalty.———-Patron– Bell———-Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice———-
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 18.2 a section numbered 18.2-511.2 as follows:
§ 18.2-511.2. Outdoor shooting ranges; prohibited adjacent to residential areas; exceptions; civil penalty.
A. As used in this section, “outdoor shooting range” means any partially enclosed or unenclosed area or facility designed for the use of rifles, shotguns, pistols, silhouettes, skeet, trap, black powder, or any other similar sport shooting.
B. It is unlawful to operate an outdoor shooting range within 500 yards of any property zoned for residential use unless the Range Design Criteria developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Health, Safety and Security have been met.
C. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $100,000 for the initial violation and $5,000 per day for each day of violation thereafter.
If you see any BS like this pop up in your state, make no mistake, it’s gun control. Public safety has nothing to do with it.
