HB 3054 : Relating to discharge of a firearm; more protections for shooting ranges

Position: Oppose Status: Died in committee

HB 3054 provides legal protection to shooters who discharge a firearm within 500 feet of their homes or at shooting ranges as long as people and property nearby are not endangered.

Big problem: shooting in the direction of people does actually endanger them.

Update

July 1, 2019

Unlikely to move forward in the 2019 session February 25, 2019: Introduced by Representative Witt. Cosponsored by Representatives Barker and Marsh.

SECTION 1. (1) A person commits the crime of unlawful discharge of a firearm if the person knowingly discharges a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling or a building that is open to the public.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to:

(a) A law enforcement officer discharging a firearm in the performance of official duties;

(b) A person discharging a firearm in lawful defense of person or property, including the defense of a companion animal or a livestock animal;

(c) The owner or inhabitant of a dwelling discharging a firearm within 500 feet of the dwelling when the discharge does not endanger adjacent persons or property; or

(d) A person discharging a firearm on a public or private shooting range, shooting gallery or other area designed and built for the purpose of target shooting.

(3) Unlawful discharge of a firearm is a Class B misdemeanor.