On Tuesday, April 5, Governor Paul LePage (R) signed Legislative Document 1500.
LD 1500, sponsored by Representative Patrick Corey (R-Windham), seeks to protect “sport shooting ranges” from legal actions which aim to restrict or prohibit range uses based on noise, nuisance and similar laws that were passed or took effect after the range came into existence. Under LD 1500, these later-enacted laws could not be used to prohibit a sport shooting range from restoring or repairing existing facilities or expanding its events and activities, so long as these are consistent with general range operation practices. This bill would not, however, immunize a range from actions claiming negligent or reckless operation or use of a range.
LD 1500 will go into effect 90 days after the Maine Legislature adjourns this April. Your NRA-ILA would like to thank Governor LePage and everyone who reached out to their legislators in support of this bill.