BradS Posted September 7, 2013 at 01:37 PM Posted September 7, 2013 at 01:37 PM Hi all, Just wondering if there are any laws on the Illinois' books which protect gun ranges, either from the EPA, eminent domain, etc.? I'm sure it has happened elsewhere in the state where a gun range has been operating in the same location for 30 or 40 years and because of suburban encroachment, the range is forced to close. Thanks, Brad
GUNS&LAWYERS Posted September 7, 2013 at 01:47 PM Posted September 7, 2013 at 01:47 PM I know of the liability exemption for noise... 740 ILCS 130/5
AlphaKoncepts aka CGS Posted September 7, 2013 at 02:04 PM Posted September 7, 2013 at 02:04 PM The EPA pretty much effectively shut down Illinois Gun Works. Or was it OSHA. IN either case their lead was way way over allowed levels and they got such huge fines they got shut down. I know Bristol in WI is dealing with suburban encroachment issues with false complaints and allegations from "neighbors". Funny thing is the brisol range was there before these neighbors. Why did they move close to a shooting range if they couldn't deal with the noise? I don't get it. Sorry I know my post added zero value.
BradS Posted September 7, 2013 at 02:47 PM Author Posted September 7, 2013 at 02:47 PM Nahhh....there was value. Thanks for posting. At one point I was a member of four different gun clubs: 1. Life membership to the Caseyville Rifle and Pistol Club, which is actually now in Mascoutah, IL2. Town and Country in Maryville, IL3. Arnold Rifle and Pistol Club in Barnhart, MO4. PASA Park near Quincy, IL Some of you might know or remember how the Caseyville RPC was the victim of a long, drawn out, protracted lawsuit that St. Clair county brought against it, kind of an eminent domain thing. The county finally dropped it earlier this year. Arnold Rifle and Pistol has actually been on the St. Louis TV news with neighbors living up the hill and kind of downrange from the club showing the bullets they recovered from the roof or gutters. Maybe I should say "they allegedly recovered...." And Town and Country seems to have houses creeping closer and closer every year. Arnold might actually be better off because I am pretty sure I have heard of Missouri passing some form of range protection laws.
patriot1776 Posted September 7, 2013 at 02:48 PM Posted September 7, 2013 at 02:48 PM Just ask Buffalo Rock Range about all that , they sure do run them out.
AlphaKoncepts aka CGS Posted September 7, 2013 at 02:51 PM Posted September 7, 2013 at 02:51 PM Sure you have to the right to bear arms, but not the right to shoot them anywhere legally. That's the direction we are heading.
GUNS&LAWYERS Posted September 7, 2013 at 03:32 PM Posted September 7, 2013 at 03:32 PM I think Missouri has the same noise immunity law, but I'm not aware of anything else. In fact, I don't know what kind of extra immunity is available. You certainly can't pass a law which absolves a range, or anyone else from liability for everything. The real problem is the legal costs up front. Even if you are right and they are wrong, you have to front all those fees and costs even if you are entitled to get those back. Unfortunately, the true answer is to convince these government entities that they are not serving the tax payer well with these suits. And that will be a cold day in you know where before you convince some folks of that.
Tango7 Posted September 7, 2013 at 04:06 PM Posted September 7, 2013 at 04:06 PM The EPA pretty much effectively shut down Illinois Gun Works. Or was it OSHA. IN either case their lead was way way over allowed levels and they got such huge fines they got shut down. I know Bristol in WI is dealing with suburban encroachment issues with false complaints and allegations from "neighbors". Funny thing is the brisol range was there before these neighbors. Why did they move close to a shooting range if they couldn't deal with the noise? I don't get it. Sorry I know my post added zero value. FWIW I recall a time that the "neighborhood organizers" presented a petition to the County Board calling for them to close the CCKC range due to "noise" and "safety" concerns. They probably toted along their kids carrying signs with "don't shoot me" as a part of the presentation. The Kenosha Sheriff - whose department the CCKC allows to shoot there by themselves on Wednesdays (and basically anytime, IIRC for free) for qualifications had gotten wind of it in advance. When they opened discussion on the issue he quitely handed the County Board a $2.8 million emergency budget addition request and the blueprints to a new range facility that was ADA/EPA/MOUSE compliant. The only question (according to the story) was why the request was so much higher than the original $1.9 million dollar bid. The Sheriff replied that the extra cost was due to the need to have it completed within 6 months to guarantee that the deputies would be able to qualify at their next due date. The Board tabled the suggestion.
BikerNut Posted September 9, 2013 at 11:34 PM Posted September 9, 2013 at 11:34 PM The EPA pretty much effectively shut down Illinois Gun Works. Or was it OSHA. IN either case their lead was way way over allowed levels and they got such huge fines they got shut down. I know Bristol in WI is dealing with suburban encroachment issues with false complaints and allegations from "neighbors". Funny thing is the brisol range was there before these neighbors. Why did they move close to a shooting range if they couldn't deal with the noise? I don't get it. One of Bristol's fine neighbors filed a complaint because he found cartridge brass in his yard. Someone's ejector spring was so strong that it hurled his empties through the roof and 250 yards to his left. I think the homeowner planted the brass there himself. 70-year old Bristol is now surrounded by expensive homes and pedestrian walking paths. Sooner or later there is going to be a fight to close it down. A chocolate factory that had been in Chicago for decades was forced to spend millions to filter air so that it didn't smell like chocolate in the neighborhood... all because a newly arrived yuppie couple complained about the smell. Why did they buy a house next door to a chocolate factory if they thought the smell would bother them? These are the same people that move next door to an outdoor range. They just assume that if it becomes a bother, they will throw a temper tantrum and mommy government will come and shut down the range and make everything all right.
mauserme Posted September 10, 2013 at 12:24 AM Posted September 10, 2013 at 12:24 AM Hi all, Just wondering if there are any laws on the Illinois' books which protect gun ranges, either from the EPA, eminent domain, etc.? I'm sure it has happened elsewhere in the state where a gun range has been operating in the same location for 30 or 40 years and because of suburban encroachment, the range is forced to close. Thanks, Brad The only two bills I can think of addressing ranges in the past several years are HB0878 Sport Shooting Range Act in the 96th General Assembly and HB5151 Premise Liability - Firearm Range in the 97 General Assembly. The first, regarding the EPA, died session sine die. The second, originally regarding range noise and sound emissions, was passed as an amended bill no longer related to ranges.
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