Board adopts ordinance regulating exploding targets on firing ranges, extends firearm-distance rule

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance June 16 that regulates exploding targets on firing ranges and amended section 9.5-100(a)(2) of the county code to increase the minimum safe distance for discharging a firearm near a dwelling unit from 200 to 225 yards.

County Attorney Rick Moorefield told the board the ordinance had been presented twice before with no changes and that it implements penalties recommended by the sheriff’s office. The ordinance creates a standalone prohibition on exploding targets at firing ranges; the board also approved a related amendment to existing firearms regulations that extends the distance a person must be from a dwelling, trailer or occupied building when firing a weapon without occupant consent.

Board action: Vice Chairwoman Jones moved to adopt the ordinance and the accompanying code amendment; the motion was seconded and passed 5–2. Commissioners Council, Vice Chairwoman Jones, Chairman De Beire, Commissioner Patel and Commissioner Faircloth voted in favor; Commissioners Tyson and Adams voted in opposition.

Why it matters: the change tightens local restrictions intended to address safety risks posed by exploding targets and to add a modest buffer to the county's distance-based firearm discharge rule. County staff said the ordinance had been developed in consultation with the sheriff’s office.

Text change: the amendment revises section 9.5-100(a)(2) to increase the specified distance from 200 to 225 yards; the ordinance separately creates a regulation specific to exploding targets at firing ranges, with penalties described in the adopted text.

The board took the final vote after a brief recess while missing counsel returned and without further changes to the ordinance text.