Minutes 10-07-2021 Virtual work session

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19 counties can regulate the discharge of firearms. He said all existing shooting ranges would be exempt from any new ordinances established by the county. Commissioner McKee said he previously sat on a task force for the regulation of firearms, which recommended a set of common sense regulations that he feels are effective. He said he is concerned that a more restrictive set of measures would result in the State putting limitations on the county. Commissioner Fowler asked how far sound travels, and how the 300 and 450-foot buffers relate to noise. She asked if the goal was to avoid firearm discharge within these buffers. County Attorney said the intent was to prohibit discharge within the buffers. He said noise would travel much farther than the proposed buffers. Chair Price said it also depends on the lay of the land and the caliber of the firearm. Commissioner Greene said she is interested in restrictions that can be placed on newly established firing ranges. John Roberts said buffers and distance could be used to address place. He said time of day restrictions would only affect target practice, and not hunting or law enforcement, etc. He said manner could be defined with berms and backstops. Commissioner Greene said she thought the time of day might be helpful for those who have brought this up, so they can leave their homes during those anticipated hours. Commissioner McKee said on open ground shooting a 22-caliber rifle can be heard a quarter of a mile away, and shotguns over a mile. He said it is variable depending on geography, ground cover, etc. Chair Price asked if the current time regulations could be identified. John Roberts said the county does not currently regulate target practice times, but he can look at the noise ordinance for general noise. Chair Price asked if firearm discharge falls under general noise. John Roberts said no, firearms are excluded from the general noise ordinance at this time. He said the current noise ordinance is 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Commissioner Hamilton asked if clarification could be provided on the maps. Brian Carson, GIS Project Coordinator, said one map shows the locations of the noise and the other maps shows complaints from hearing the firearms. Commissioner Hamilton asked if site four on the map has an active shooting range. Commissioner McKee said on sites 1-3, there were a few complaints, but there were also many homes in those areas that did not complain. He said noise is in the ear of the beholder, and he would like to end this discussion, as the BOCC will never be able to satisfy everyone. Chair Price said she would like to provide the public with information on what to do when they hear gunfire. She said she would also like for people engaging in target practice to tell the Sheriff's department ahead of time. Commissioner Greene said she generally agreed with Commissioner McKee, but she would like to know if there is Board support for regulating the time of shooting for newly established shooting ranges. Commissioner Fowler asked what time of day Commissioner Greene would propose. Commissioner Greene said she would like to have further discussion at a future meeting. Commissioner Fowler said she would be interested in having that discussion, and clarified any potential restrictions would not apply to hunters. Commissioner Greene said correct. Commissioner Richards asked Commissioner Greene if she only wants an ordinance for newly established shooting ranges.