Cumberland County adopts ordinance restricting explosive targets at shooting ranges

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted on June 2 to adopt an ordinance regulating the use of explosive targets at firing ranges and to amend section 9.5-100(a)(2) of the county firearms regulations.

The ordinance, advanced on a required second reading, targets the use of certain types of explosive targets — described in the meeting as “binary” explosives made by combining purchased components — and does not change rules on firearm use itself, county attorney Rick Morfield said. "It does not affect the use of the firearm. It affects the use of the target," Morfield said.

Why the board acted: The board considered the ordinance at a prior meeting and returned it for a second reading because state law and the county's procedures require a second consideration for this type of amendment. Morfield told commissioners the draft before them is unchanged from the version previously considered.

What commissioners debated: Commissioner James Adams said he opposed the ordinance on principle, citing private property and Second Amendment concerns. "I'm against this ordinance. I think it's... a dangerous road to go down when we start trying to increase this," Adams said, urging colleagues to vote no.

County staff explained the penalty structure discussed during committee review. A policy-committee proposal originally set penalties at $100 for a first offense and $250 for a second; the Sheriff's Office asked that those figures be increased to $250 and $500, and the higher amounts appear in the ordinance package. Morfield also said an unrelated firearms-regulation amendment included a $40 penalty.

Motion and vote: Vice Chairwoman Sherwin Jones moved to adopt a resolution "adopting ordinance regulating explosives of fire ranges and the amendment section 9.5-100(a)(2), firearms regulations." The motion was seconded and carried on the board's vote. The clerk announced the result after the roll call: Vice Sherwin Jones, Chair Debbie Aaron, Commissioner Tyson and Commissioner Patel voted in favor; Commissioner Faircloth and Commissioner Adams voted in opposition. The board adopted the ordinance on second reading.

What it does and limits: Morfield said the ordinance targets exploding targets (binary explosives) and that those items are not regulated by federal law in the manner that would preempt county jurisdiction. The ordinance, as described at the meeting, regulates target materials and associated uses rather than the operation or possession of firearms.

Next steps and context: The county attorney, county manager and sheriff's office were involved in drafting and recommending the penalty levels. No ordinance number was cited at the meeting; the board adopted the measure as presented on the agenda. The county will publish the adopted ordinance and any implementing guidance through its clerk's office.

Ending: The board moved on to other business after the vote; county staff did not announce an effective date during the meeting.