This morning, the Maine State and Local Government Committee held a public hearing on Legislative Document 489, which would have allowed noise ordinances to be used to shut down local shooting ranges. At the sponsor's request and after hearing input from citizens, the committee opted to protect Maine's sport shooting ranges and voted unanimously "ought not to pass" in committee, effectively killing the bill.
Currently, noise ordinances do not apply to shooting sport ranges under Maine Law. This legislation would have endangered shooting sport ranges, even if they operate safely and are otherwise in full compliance with the law. Municipalities could have used these ordinances to effectively shut down the ranges with costly renovations, unreasonable court fees, hiatus, or even closure of operations. These ranges allow law-abiding individuals to practice their shooting skills in a safe and responsible environment and should not be regulated out of existence.
Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on issues affecting our Second Amendment rights in Maine.