Person County approves text amendment to allow firearms training and education use by right in rural conservation district, 3-1

On Aug. 4, 2025, the Person County Board of Commissioners approved petition TA‑02‑25, a text amendment that adds a defined use for firearms and archery training and education and allows that use by right in the Rural Conservation (RC) zoning district. The motion carried by voice vote, recorded in the meeting as 3–1.

The amendment, as presented by interim planning director Margaret Hart, adds a definition that describes the use as a property used for the discharge of archery devices and/or firearms on a fee or membership basis, indoors or outdoors. The proposed definition limits operation to daylight hours (sunrise to sunset), allows activities for skills development, training or competition, and explicitly states the use is subject to all state, local and federal firearms laws. The definition also includes classroom and practical instruction on ownership, safety, handling and marksmanship for recreation, hunting or self-defense.

The planning board held a public hearing on the amendment and recommended approval. Hart told commissioners the planning board revised the title and wording to emphasize training and education and added the requirement that on-site instruction be provided.

Commissioners discussed safety and the scope of allowing the use by right across the RC district. Commissioner Wilburn said she would be more comfortable requiring a special-use permit because the RC district covers much of the county and the use has relatively few siting constraints. “You could conceivably do a shooting range on an acre of land, where you have no water or sewer or highway or whatever,” she said, arguing that a special-use process would give neighbors notice and allow site-specific conditions.

Others noted that commercial activity is what allows local regulation: noncommercial shooting on private property is generally protected under the Second Amendment, but the commercial aspect gives the county regulatory authority. The applicant, identified in the packet as Blueberry Ranch LLC and noted to be located on Gillis Road, was present but did not offer substantive remarks on the record.

The approved language requires that a use meet the stated limits — daylight operation, training/education components and compliance with applicable firearms laws — but does not add a separate special-use review. The planning director and planning board said they believe the definition and proposed limits temper the use while allowing licensed commercial training operations to locate in RC where appropriate.

The motion to approve was adopted by voice vote; the meeting record shows the motion carried 3–1. The record does not list individual roll-call votes for yes or no on the amendment.

What happens next: the county will incorporate the amended definition into the unified development ordinance and treat the use as a permitted use in RC where the ordinance applies. Any future specific site proposals will still be subject to applicable setback, safety and state/federal firearms regulations.