A. Definitions: Following are the definitions for the purpose of this section:
ENCLOSED SHOOTING RANGE: A fully enclosed building of a permanent character specifically designed or subsequently modified for the specific purpose of providing a location for the discharge of firearms for purposes of practicing marksmanship.
OUTDOOR SHOOTING RANGE: An outside area designed specifically or subsequently modified for the specific purpose of providing a location for the discharge of firearms for purposes of practicing marksmanship.
B. Outdoor Shooting Ranges Prohibited: Outdoor shooting ranges are prohibited within the City of Grove corporate limits.
C. Construction Requirements:
1. Buildings containing shooting ranges shall have walls, ceilings and floors that are impenetrable to the bullets of the firearms being used within it, or have internal baffling built so that the bullets cannot hit the walls or ceiling. Doors and windows which are in front of the firing points must be bolted from the range side and must comply with this subsection as a part of the building walls at all times the range is in use.
2. The range shall be so constructed and insulated from noise that the discharge of firearms within the range shall not disturb the peace of other persons; hearing protectors which fully cover the shooter's ears will be provided by the range and made available for all shooters or other persons in the firing area. No gas or incendiary projectiles shall be allowed.
3. Any construction of a new building, or remodeling of an existing building in order to establish a range, will require the issuance of a building permit, as otherwise provided in this Code. Detailed plans and specifications must be submitted along with the application for such permit. Prior to the issuance of such permit, the plans and specifications must be approved in writing by the Grove building inspector and the Grove Chief of Police.
4. Protective stalls shall be built in between each firing point.
5. Range shall have an exhaust fan or system placed above the shooting and target area capable of a complete change of air in the range no less than twenty (20) times per hour.
6. Nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt such range, or its construction or remodeling, or its operation, from any applicable City, State or Federal law, or rule or regulation.
D. Licensing Requirements:
1. A license to operate a range is required by each operator prior to the commencement of a range operation, and said license must be renewed annually as a condition for continued operation.
2. All instructors shall be certified by the National Rifle Association or by the State of Oklahoma, and shall provide proof of said certification before a City license will be issued. Instructors shall maintain their certification with the National Rifle Association, and shall provide proof of such certification on an annual basis before a City license will be renewed.
3. The application for a license shall be made in writing, and said application shall contain the following information:
a. Name of applicant, stating whether individual, partnership, corporation or association.
b. Address of applicant.
c. Age of applicant (individual's age, or date of incorporation or formation if a business entity).
d. If applicant is not an individual, name and addresses of all officers and members (if there are more than 5 such officers and members, the list shall include only the managing officers, and those persons or entities which collectively own majority interests).
e. Location and legal description of the premises sought to be licensed, and a statement of whether the premises are owned or leased by applicant.
f. Qualifications and experience of applicant.
g. Designation of service agent for service of legal process.
h. Any other information the Chief of Police or his designee may deem necessary.
4. The annual license fee for the operation of a range shall be fifty dollars ($50.00), payable at the time of application and at the time of the application for renewal. A license issued under this section shall not be transferable or assignable, and any attempt to transfer, assign or encumber such license shall render such license void.
5. Prior to the issuance of any license, or the renewal of any license, the Chief of Police or his designee shall inspect the range to see that all requirements of this section are met. Such inspector may inspect the range more often as needed. The operator, by applying for a license, consents to such safety inspections during any normal business hours.
6. No license granted under this section shall ever be held to bar a prosecution for violation of any other ordinance of the City, or to prevent the enforcement of any ordinance or inhibit the exercise of powers and duties of any officer under the terms of any such ordinance.
7. A license issued for the operations of a shooting range shall set forth the name and location of the range covered by such license, name or names of those persons to whom the license is issued, and any other information the Chief of Police or his designee may deem necessary.
8. Such license shall be placed and maintained at all times in an open, prominent and conspicuous place inside the range.
E. Insurance Requirements: The owner of the range, whether individual, or corporation, or other business entity, shall carry liability insurance protecting the general public and users of the range against any injury resulting from the discharge of firearms in the range in an amount no less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00).
F. Alcohol Prohibited: It shall be unlawful for any licensee to permit any person or persons to bring any alcoholic beverages or non-intoxicating beverages on the premises of any range, or to permit the consumption of same on the premises, or to permit same to be left at any place on the premises. It shall be unlawful for any person operating a range to permit any intoxicated person to be or remain therein.
G. Range Operations:
1. Any person under the legal age of eighteen (18), desiring to use the range must be accompanied by an adult.
2. No more than one (1) person shall shoot from a single firing point at one (1) time. All other persons (except instructors) must stand behind the firing point. No one shall be allowed in front of the firing points at any time during operation.
3. Loaded weapons shall be allowed only in the firing area on the range and shall not be permitted at any other place inside the building or premises.
4. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm in a manner so that the shot, bullets or fragments thereof will avoid the backstop and other safety precautions and escape the confines of the range, or cause bodily injury to persons on the range. The operator shall supervise the users of the range, and shall remove and bar from the range any person who refuses to comply with generally accepted safety practices, or with this section, or with the rules and regulations concerning safety imposed by the operator.
5. Shot guns, shot shells, and rifles of any caliber larger than a 22-gauge long rifle shall not be used in enclosed ranges, unless the range is equipped with backstop equipment which will safely contain such ammunition, and the Chief of Police or his designee specifically certifies the range to be so equipped, following actual inspection of the equipment as installed.
6. Any shooting range establishment, gun smith, or firearm retailer shall be authorized and encouraged to utilize a discharge barrel or other similar safety apparatus to ensure the safe handling of firearms.
7. A sign stating the rules and regulations of the range operation shall be placed in a prominent and conspicuous location within the range.
H. Mandatory Reporting: If at any time, an accidental discharge involves injury or death, the licensee shall provide a written Incident Report that shall include the following:
1. Name of shooter.
2. Name of victim.
3. Time and date of the incident.
4. Detailed statement of the events that occurred.
I. Revocation Of License: The Chief of Police or his designee is hereby vested with authority to revoke or suspend any license issued under this section on any of the following grounds:
1. Violation of any of the provisions of this section, or of any rules or regulations existing now or hereafter adopted, or of any laws of the State.
2. Permitting, aiding or abetting the commission of an illegal act in or on the licensed premises.
3. Selling or permitting the consumption of alcoholic beverages or non-intoxicating beverages or any intoxicating substances on the licensed premises.
4. Admitting any person under the influence of alcohol or any intoxicating substance to use the facilities of the range.
5. In any case of such suspension or revocation, the reasons therefor shall be furnished the owner or manager of the range in writing, and the licensee shall have the right to appeal to the City Council by filing notice of his intent to appeal within ten (10) days from the date of receipt of the notice of suspension and revocation from the Chief of Police. Such appeal shall be set down for hearing within thirty one (31) days after the City Manager receives the notice of intent to appeal.
J. Penalty:
1. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to section 1-108, "General Penalty", of this Code. (Ord. 724, 5-17-2016)