[Adopted 4-10-1989 by Ord. No. 89-4-10]
Every pistol or shotgun range shall be a minimum distance of 500 feet from the nearest residence and 1,000 feet from the nearest residence behind the backdrop where the bullets or projectiles are aimed. In the event residences are within said distances, no license shall issue absent the written consent of the landowner (and tenant, if any) of the residence, together with evidence of ownership of the land, which will include a statement from the Tax Assessor's office supplied by the owner of the land. The above distances shall be increased to 1,000 feet and 2,000 feet, respectively, for rifle ranges.
Range licenses shall be issued to the owner of the land on which the range is located.
A range is to be designated as either a rifle, pistol or shotgun range on the license and shall be limited to the specific designation.
Hours of operation are to be set by the Town Council in the issuance of the license. There is no shooting on Sundays.
The area surrounding a range is to be fenced in a six-foot-high (minimum) chain-link fence to keep out persons who may stray or wander into the area. The fence openings are to be locked when in use.
The backdrop of the pistol or rifle range is to consist of a revetment structure to enclose sand material to stop and deflect bullets safely.
The Chief of Police or his representative is to inspect and approve each range as to compliance with these requirements.
Approval is to be given by a representative of the National Rifle Association or equivalent association which approves ranges and certifies them safe for insurance purposes.
Certificates of insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 are to be issued by a Rhode Island licensed insurance company insuring specifically the range on the premises, to be forwarded to the Town of Portsmouth on request.
Licenses are to be renewed annually to ascertain the encroaching of any new residences and for reinspection and certification. The license fee initially and for each renewal is $50 per year for a private homeowner range and $100 for any commercial range.
All abutters are to be personally notified by written notice and by publication. "Abutters" shall include all landowners within 500 feet of the range and 1,000 feet behind the range backdrop.
Each range license application is to include a range officer or responsible person. A licensed range will include a range officer, who will be in charge of the range at all times, said person to have, at minimum, completed a weapon safety course issued by the State of Rhode Island.