HB342 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Sports shooting ranges, in existence for more than a year, not subject to civil liability, criminal prosecution, or legal injunction relating to noise or noise pollution, Sec. 6-5-341 am'd.

Summary

HB342 would extend immunity from civil liability, criminal charges, and nuisance lawsuits for sport shooting ranges to include new ranges opened after August 1, 2001, if they comply with noise and lead laws and have operated for at least one year.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Alabama's noise and lead liability law to extend protections to sport shooting ranges that have existed for more than a year and started after August 1, 2001, provided they follow applicable noise and lead rules. It also clarifies immunity for ranges operating 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. that either existed before 1990 or were compliant with the relevant laws as of August 1, 2001 (or at the time they began). Additionally, ranges that began operation after August 1, 2001 must be in compliance with all applicable noise and lead laws and have operated for at least one year to receive immunity. The bill states that these ranges are not subject to civil liability, criminal prosecution, or nuisance injunctions related to noise or lead pollution, and environmental or decibel regulations do not apply to exempted ranges.

Who It Affects

• Sport shooting range operators (private or public) who meet the specified date and compliance requirements will gain immunity from certain lawsuits and prosecutions related to noise and lead.
• Nearby property owners or residents may have fewer legal options to sue or obtain nuisance injunctions against qualifying ranges that meet the criteria.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 6-5-341 to extend immunity to sport shooting ranges that have been in operation for more than one year and began after August 1, 2001, if they comply with all noise and lead control laws.
• Immunity from civil liability and criminal prosecution for ranges operating 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. that either existed before 1990 or were in compliance with noise/lead laws as of August 1, 2001 (or at the time the range began operation, whichever comes first).
• Immunity from nuisance actions and injunctions under the same time/compliance conditions as above.
• For ranges beginning operation after August 1, 2001, immunity applies if they are in compliance with all noise and lead laws as of the date they began operation and have operated for at least one year.
• Decibel and lead pollution regulations do not apply to ranges exempted from liability under this section.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month following passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Firearms