Bel Air commissioners receive ordinance to allow indoor shooting ranges with safety plan requirements

The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on Monday voted to receive Ordinance 8-41-25, a proposal to permit indoor shooting ranges in the town’s B-3 and B-3A commercial zones while imposing setbacks from schools, churches and childcare facilities and requiring a safety and security plan. Commissioner Taylor presented the proposal and commissioners voted to receive the ordinance for public review and further amendment at a later meeting.

The ordinance would allow indoor shooting ranges in specified commercial districts with setbacks set as measured building-to-building (proposed at 300 feet for schools, churches and childcare centers and 100 feet for other applicable uses), prohibit loaded firearms outside the facility, ban alcohol and controlled substances on site, and require applicants to submit plans addressing security, safety, noise, firearm storage and environmental controls. "This is to permit indoor shooting ranges in the B-3 and B-3A areas with setbacks for childcare centers, schools, and churches," Commissioner Taylor said while introducing the measure.

The planning commission reviewed the proposal and recommended approval with one suggested change: increase the setback from 300 feet to 500 feet for schools, churches and childcare. Commissioners discussed that recommendation and several asked that technical issues — including the number and qualifications of range attendants — be handled through the required safety plan and through expert testimony from the Bel Air Police Department when applications go before the Board of Appeals. Director Small and the chief both told commissioners that the police department would play a substantial role in reviewing safety plans and providing expert testimony at appeals hearings.

Commissioners debated whether the town code should include a performance-standard clause that would require "adequate measures" to prevent bringing loaded guns into or out of the building. Several commissioners expressed concern that such a clause could conflict with state law on concealed-carry permits or improperly vest the Board of Appeals with authority to impose staffing levels that could be used to hinder the use. "I don't want to give the Board of Appeals too much authority to start nitpicking how many people and number of qualifications," Commissioner Rutledge said, adding that the police department should set any technical requirements.

The board voted unanimously to receive the ordinance so the public can review the current text before a public hearing and any amendments. Commissioners said they expect technical edits and possibly the deletion of two clauses before adoption; however, no final amendments or adoption occurred at the May 5 meeting. The item will return for additional public comment and a vote at a subsequent meeting.