SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 2150

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 25, 1994

Brief Description:  Closing firearm training and practice facilities.

SPONSORS: Representatives Campbell, Ballasiotes, Chappell, Mastin, Tate, Chandler, Roland, Brough and Lisk

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Ludwig, Vice Chairman; Hargrove, Nelson, Niemi, Quigley, Schow and Spanel.

Staff:  Jon Carlson (786‑7459)

Hearing Dates:  February 25, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Previously safe locations to shoot have been lost due to urban growth.  Many law enforcement personnel and members of the general public now use firearm range training and practice facilities as places to safely shoot their firearms.

There is concern that if local governments close such facilities without replacing them, law enforcement personnel and members of the public will be left with few opportunities for safe training or recreational shooting.

SUMMARY;

A local government may close a firearm range training and practice facility only if the facility is replaced with another facility of at least equal capacity.  More than one closed facility may be replaced with a single facility, if the capacity of the replacement facility is at least as large as the combined capacities of the closed facilities.

The replacement facility must be open for use within 30 days of the closure of the replaced facility or facilities and must be available for use by law enforcement personnel and the general public to the same extent as the closed facility or facilities.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED COMMITTEE AMENDMENT:

The local government may charge any fees it deems necessary to users of the new firearm facility.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Firearm training and practice facilities should not be closed.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Representative Campbell, prime sponsor; Marcus Carter, President, Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club; F. G. Restmeyer, President, Poulsbo Sportsman Club; George Aiton, WA Arms Collectors; Brian Judy, National Rifle Assn.