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Committee adopts amendment protecting ranges' permitted uses and extends limited carry rights to retired judges
Summary
Lawmakers approved an amendment and passed Senate Bill 176, which creates statewide permitted-use standards for indoor shooting ranges (safety/ventilation/noise requirements), restricts conditioning permits on annexation, and includes carry/immunity provisions for retired judicial officers; industry groups testified strongly in favor.
The Local Government Committee passed Senate Bill 176 as amended, adopting a package that sets objective standards for local permit review of indoor shooting ranges, preempts conflicting zoning adopted before July 1, 2026 in some circumstances, and clarifies carry and immunity provisions for retired judicial officers.
The adopted Amendment #3 requires local units to use the same objective standards and procedures for permit applications for shooting ranges that they apply to similarly situated commercial, industrial or agricultural properties. It bars conditioning permit approval on owners' consent to annexation and preserves a local government's ability to enforce neutral building, fire and safety codes. The amendment also defines an indoor shooting range (bullet-resistant backdrops, ventilation, sound abatement) and makes certain uses permitted in commercially zoned areas when basic containment and safety standards are met. Sections of the amendment also afford retired judicial officers some of the same possession and immunity provisions that apply to active law enforcement in certain locations.
Industry witnesses urged the committee to adopt the changes, arguing zoning discrimination has impeded range operations and improvements. "Zoning discrimination is one of the top three issues that I hear about from our members," said Chris Lee of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Charlie Hilton of the NRA described cases where ranges were prevented from making repairs after tornado damage and where expansion efforts were blocked until owners submitted to annexation.
Representative Smaltz, the House sponsor, said the amendment is intended to preserve legitimate local code enforcement while ensuring ranges are treated consistently and not blocked by discriminatory local ordinances. Representative Smith asked why a special provision for retired judicial officers was needed; the sponsor said the provision parallels past measures for retired police officers and lets retired judges carry where they otherwise could when on duty.
After closing remarks the committee recorded a roll-call tally of 9' 2 in favor, approving the bill as amended.
Supporters emphasized that the measure protects existing lawful uses while allowing counties to continue to enforce neutral safety codes; opponents (the two no votes) were not recorded as presenting testimony in the hearing.
