Sec. 5. Firearm ranges; liability.

393 words·~2 min read·/il/chapter-740/act-130/5

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)As used in this Section, "firearm range" means a rifle, pistol, silhouette, skeet, trap, black powder, or other similar range in this State used for discharging firearms in a sporting event, for practice or instruction in the use of a firearm, or for the testing of a firearm. "Firearm range" also includes licensed shooting preserves and public hunting areas operated or licensed by the Department of Natural Resources.

(b)An owner or operator of a firearm range in existence on January 1, 1994, is immune from any criminal liability arising out of or as a consequence of noise or sound emissions resulting from the normal use of the firearm range. An owner or operator of a firearm range is not subject to any action for public or private nuisance or trespass and no court in this State shall enjoin the use or operation of a firearm range on the basis of noise or sound emissions resulting from the normal use of the firearm range.

(c)An owner or operator of a firearm range placed in operation after January 1, 1994, is immune from any criminal liability and is not subject to any action for public or private nuisance or trespass arising out of or as a consequence of noise or sound emissions resulting from the normal use of the firearm range, if the firearm range conforms to any one of the following requirements:

(1)All areas from which a firearm may be properly discharged are at least 1,000 yards

from any occupied permanent dwelling on adjacent property.

(2)All areas from which a firearm may be properly discharged are enclosed by a

permanent building or structure that absorbs or contains sound energy escaping from the muzzle of firearms in use.

(3)If the firearm range is situated on land otherwise subject to land use zoning, the

firearm range is in compliance with the requirements of the zoning authority.

(4)The firearm range is operated by a governmental entity or is licensed by the

Department of Natural Resources.

(5)The firearm range met the requirements of clause

(1)of this subsection

(c)at the

time the range began its operation and subsequently an occupied permanent dwelling on adjacent property was built within 1,000 yards from an area of the range from which a firearm may be properly discharged.