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Commissioners ask staff to study zoning and safety rules for proposed indoor shooting range
Summary
The Board of Town Commissioners asked staff and town counsel to research state regulations, setbacks and operational standards after an applicant sought to open a retail gun store with an indoor shooting range; police chief and commissioners emphasized internal-security, noise and lead-management issues.
Bel Air commissioners directed staff and town counsel on April 1 to research regulatory and zoning approaches for indoor shooting ranges after a prospective business inquired about opening a gun store with an indoor range.
The topic is significant because Bel Air’s zoning currently has no specific use category for indoor shooting ranges; absent a code category, planners treat a proposed use as prohibited unless a similar allowed use applies. Kevin Small, presenting the background, said several jurisdictions defer to state rules and use local performance standards to address setbacks, hours and operations.
Police Chief Moore said public-safety and operational controls are the “linchpin.” He recommended strict internal-security measures, a trained rangemaster, background checks (NICS) for rentals, a robust inspection regime to ensure the building contains discharged projectiles, and adherence to noise regulations. “I think if we keep an eye on the construction and make sure that nothing escapes from that building, I think we’ll be good to go,” the chief said.
Commissioners discussed where the use could be allowed and what conditions might apply. Proposed guardrails raised in the discussion included: setback distances used by other municipalities (examples discussed included 300 feet from schools and 100 feet from residences), adherence to state background-check rules for firearm rentals and sales, strict hours of operation, noise limits, and protocols for managing lead and other environmental contaminants.
Several commissioners expressed support for studying a permissive approach with strong safeguards. Commissioner Rutledge said the town should follow the county and state as a starting point; Commissioner Taylor highlighted the educational and safety benefits of supervised training and in-range instruction. Commissioners also noted existing examples in neighboring jurisdictions, and asked staff to examine Baltimore County, Harford County and other municipal approaches.
Town staff and legal counsel were asked to return with a comprehensive recommendation that would: identify applicable state and federal requirements (including background-check obligations), propose zones where an indoor range could be permitted, recommend setbacks and operational performance standards, and propose inspection and lead-management requirements. The board did not take a formal vote; the discussion concluded with consensus direction to continue study and prepare draft regulations for future review.
No ordinance or final policy was adopted at the work session.
