As a result of our efforts to reduce the gunshot noise from the Island Lake Shooting Range, Michigan Senator Gerald Van Woerkom of Muskegon has introduced Senate Bill 220 to exempt shooting ranges from any local noise ordinances, even those that pre-existed the range. In a recent meeting with representatives of Citizens for a Quiet Community, Senator Van Woerkom said he heard about the Island Lake situation and was asked by range operators in his district to introduce the bill so shooting range owners would not have to comply with local noise limits. The wording of his proposed ammendment to 1989 PA 269 simply states:

 

 

Unfortunately, this wording gives any range owner, public or private, the right to make as much noise as they want, day or night. Shooting ranges that currently operate in compliance with noise ordinances in effect when they opened, are exempt from civil liability under Act 269. This new ammendment provides that those ranges would no longer have to comply. This eliminates even the slightest attempt to abate gunshot noise and encourage operators to locate new ranges in even more densely populated areas. It is unthinkable that anyone would allow such latitude; and unheard of to grant such immunity to a private business.

 

This bill is co-sponsored by Senators Cropsey, Goschka, Kuipers, and Patterson.

 

To express your concern, contact  Senator Gerald Van Woerkom, Senator Valde Garcia,  Representative Chris Ward, or Governor Jennifer Granholm.

 

For complete lists of Senators and Representatives go to the Contacts page.

Green Oak group protests shooting range bill  (Detroit News - Jun 28, 2005)

Don't Rob Citizens of Local Control on Gun Ranges (Detroit News - Mar 5, 2005)

Local boards should have a say on range noise  (Livingston County Daily Press & Argus - Mar 4, 2005)