Borough Assembly repeals gun range rules

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly repealed MSB Ordinance 17.68, which had placed regulations on outdoor shooting ranges, at its regularly scheduled meeting this week.  The ordinance, passed in 2020, began with a description of its intent:  “To allow outdoor shooting facilities to operate within the borough while minimizing the likelihood that people, domestic animals or properties will be jeopardized.”

The ordinance has been controversial since it was first introduced.  Some borough residents testified that they felt the regulations in the ordinance were too strict. Some felt frustrated at the lack of shooting range opportunities in the borough and felt that the regulations discouraged development.  One month after the original ordinance was passed in 2020, an effort to reconsider the measure was introduced.  That effort was vetoed by then Borough Mayor, Vern Halter.

In December 2021, the Assembly referred a repeal of the ordinance to the Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission. The Planning Commission discussed the proposed repeal and voted not to support the effort 5-1.  Despite the Planning Commission’s recommendation, the Assembly chose to continue with the repeal discussion.

Assembly member Rob Yundt stated that Federal oversight by the EPA or local oversight by homeowner covenants should be sufficient with regards to regulation.

Assembly member Jesse Sumner expressed confidence that the public could be trusted to make good decisions about where and how to build outdoor shooting areas.

Assembly member Dee McKee questioned whether the current regulations might be too strict, but felt that some regulation would be imperative to avoid safety issues and potential problems between neighbors.

After a lengthy period of public testimony and discussion, the repeal of all guidelines with respect to outdoor shooting facilities in the Borough passed without objection.