Shooters:
House Bill 604 (shooting range protection) passed the House today 67-1 http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/H0604.html . We expect it to go to the Senate Resources and Environment committee next week. I have spoken to Senator Gary Schroeder, who chairs that committee, and he has told me if he gets the bill Monday he will schedule it for hearing next Wednesday.
Just to recap what this bill would accomplish: it would fix a huge "hole" in the current range protection law and allow existing ranges to add members or law enforcement use, add competitions or public shooting days, make safety improvements, and allow law enforcement to conduct vital low light training and qualification without losing their immunity from nuisance suits and local noise regulations. This bill also prevents local governments from imposing noise restrictions on NEW ranges any stricter than the State of Idaho has placed on it's own ranges. In short: this bill would keep existing ranges open and make it easier to open new ones.
Law enforcement is very interested in this bill--my own Sheriff, Wayne Rausch, "wholeheartedly" endorses this bill and has authorized us to use his name to get it passed.
Please contact your State Senator and ask them to support this bill. When we introduced this bill many said that there wasn't time left in the session to get it passed but thanks to some very good friends of the shooting sports in the House and Senate we have gotten it this far. It is going to be close to get this through before adjournment but with your help we can make this happen before we lose ranges in Idaho.
Thank You,
Mike