The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to review a challenge to zoning restrictions that prevented the development of a gun range in Michigan, rejecting a petition that claimed the limitations infringed on Second Amendment rights to firearm training.
Oakland Tactical Supply LLC, along with Michigan residents, sought to overturn a Sixth Circuit ruling upholding Howell Township’s zoning restrictions, which limit certain land parcels to agricultural or residential uses. The plaintiffs argued these restrictions violated constitutional rights by hindering residents’ ability to train with firearms. However, the justices provided no explanation for their decision to deny review.
Zoning and Second Amendment Tensions
The dispute centered on a proposed shooting range offering training from distances of up to 1,000 yards. A majority on the Sixth Circuit panel determined such long-range training was not essential to the Second Amendment’s protection of self-defense firearm training.
“It is difficult to imagine a situation where accurately firing from 1,000 yards would be necessary to defend oneself; nor have plaintiffs identified one,” the majority wrote.
