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Notice Regarding the Range
To our customers and community,
Battle Creek Firearms Co. has made the decision to cease range activity that may be interpreted to fall under the township’s definition of a commercial gun range, and therefore the range will no longer be available other then for the “Repair or maintenance of firearms“.
We made this decision voluntarily, out of respect for our neighbors and their requests. A copy of the township regulations is available below.
We know this is disappointing, and we share that disappointment. This business was built from the ground up and is our livelihood, and maintaining a good relationship with our neighbors and our township is what allows us to keep operating and serving this community.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Questions? Call us at 269-832-8553 or stop by. We’re open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 6pm.
Battle Creek Firearms Co.
Bedford Charter Township Zoning Ordinance
Section 4.37 Range – Gun – Outdoor
(A) Definition:
(1) Zoning Exempt Shooting:
The safe and secure use of legal firearms for hunting or sport shooting, as permitted by County, State, or Federal law, shall not be subject to this Ordinance or require any permit from the Township, unless the shooting meets the definition of Commercial Scale Outdoor Gun Range.
(2) Commercial Scale Outdoor Gun Range: An outdoor commercial facility, open to the general public, for the safe and secure use of rifles, shotguns, pistols, silhouettes, skeet, trap, black powder, or any other similar sport shooting.
(a) Facilities that offer gun safety training to the general public shall be considered commercial, regardless of the capacity of the gun range, the size of the lot, or any other factor.
(b) Facilities that charge a fee, suggested donation, membership fee, or any other financial consideration in exchange for shooting on the premises shall be considered commercial, regardless of the capacity of the gun range, the size of the lot, or any other factor.
(c) Repair or maintenance of firearms for a fee shall not, by itself, result in a facility being designated as a Commercial Scale Outdoor Gun Range.
(B) Zoning Districts Permitted for Commercial Scale Outdoor Gun Ranges: Commercial Scale Outdoor Gun Ranges shall only be permitted in the RRAOS, Rural Residential, Agriculture and Open Space District, and shall require Special Use Approval.
(C) Standards for Commercial Scale Gun Ranges
(1) The minimum lot size for a Commercial-Scale Outdoor Gun Range shall be 40 acres.
(2) Each individual Commercial-Scale Outdoor Gun Range shall be enclosed with a minimum six (6) foot wooden or masonry fence, with no gaps. Range fencing shall enclose the range proper, backstop, side walls, or greenbelt, shotfall area for shotgun ranges, firing line, ready areas, and any other area in which a person might unwittingly subject himself to reasonable hazard.
(3) Trap, skeet or other shotgun ranges shall be placed such that the firing positions are not less than nine hundred (900) feet from the nearest property line in the direction of fire, and not less than 1,000 feet from a well or septic field on another property, in the direction of fire.
(4) All outdoor pistol and rifle ranges shall be provided with a secondary backstop and a primary bullet-stop immediately behind the target line. Zoning Ordinance · Bedford Charter Township, Calhoun County, Michigan 61
(a) The primary bullet-stop shall consist of inclined steel plates with sand pits, or heavy timbers backed with earth. The steel plates shall be backed with sand or other sound deadening material.
(b) The secondary backstop shall be constructed of earth and shall be at least 20 feet tall. This backstop may be a natural rise of ground if free of stone and exposed rock and lying entirely within the fenced area. Alternative construction affording equivalent protection and noise reduction are allowed with the approval of the Planning Commission.
(5) In addition to the primary and secondary backstops, all outdoor pistol and rifle ranges shall be enclosed on the remaining three (3) sides by a dense greenbelt of bushes, brush or trees not less than ten (10) feet in height and not less than two hundred (200) feet in width.
(a) As an alternative to the greenbelt, an earthwork may be constructed such that the top of the earthwork subtends an angle of not less than six (6) degrees from the horizontal when viewed from any point on the firing line, or not less than ten (10) feet in height, whichever is greater. In case of the earthwork, the two hundred (200) feet distance between the firing line and the property line shall be maintained.
(b) Alternative construction affording equivalent protection and noise reduction may be allowed on petition to the Planning Commission. Such alternative construction shall be supported by licensed professionals who are qualified to make the determination that such protection will protect adjacent properties and by-standards from stray projectiles. (6) No-trespassing or danger signs designating the hazard, not less than two (2) square feet nor more than four (4) square feet in area and spaced not more than two hundred (200) feet apart, shall be posted on the upper portion of the fence enclosing the range. The sign shall also be posted at each gate and other entry.
(7) Ranges shall only operate during the hours between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Further, no Commercial-Scale Outdoor Gun Range shall operate after dusk, even if the sun sets before 9:00 PM.
(8) Operational noise levels emanating from a gun range shall not exceed seventy (70) decibels Max as measured from the property line of the gun range. The Planning Commission shall have the ability to adjust the maximum permitted noise level, as measured at the property line, subject to the applicant providing justification for such an increase.
(9) The gun range must be located and designed so that no residential dwellings are within 1,500 feet of the firing line in the direction of fire. Such shall be measured from the firing line to the nearest extent of the outer wall of the residential dwelling.
(10) Commercial Scale Outdoor Gun Ranges must be operated in compliance with all County, State, and Federal laws. Specifically, the range must comply with Michigan Department of Natural Resources generally accepted operation practices for sport shooting ranges. Zoning Ordinance · Bedford Charter Township, Calhoun County, Michigan 62
(11) There shall be no very serious impairment to the quiet enjoyment of properties due to noise or stray bullets from the Outdoor Gun Range. The Township reserves the right to revoke the Special Use Permit of any Outdoor Gun Range found in violation of this provision. In the event of a dispute about the level of impairment, the Planning Commission shall determine whether or not to revoke the zoning approval based on a review of observations by the County Sheriff’s Department regarding the use of the property.
