Almost 8,000 people are affected by civil or military shooting noise that exceeds the limit values. While most civil shooting ranges have already been improved to reduce noise, the improvement process for military installations is due to be completed by 2025.
In recent years, exposure to civil shooting noise has been significantly reduced thanks to extensive noise abatement measures. By the end of 2016, the deadline for improvements, most civil shooting ranges had been modernised or merged. This has successfully protected the majority of people affected.
Since August 2010, military shooting ranges have also been subject to exposure limits set out in Annex 9 of the Noise Abatement Ordinance. These installations must be improved by the end of 2025.
A combination of organisational and structural modifications can be considered to limit shooting noise at source:
Measures against shooting noise
- Merger or closure of shooting ranges
- Time limits for shooting activities
- Soundproofing of the shooting range, protective screens and shooting tunnels in which the shooter fires the weapon through a large sound-absorbing tube
- Earth walls or noise barriers along the bullet’s entire trajectory
Enforcement
Responsibility for improvements lies with the cantons and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) supports the cantonal environmental agencies in enforcing the regulations for civil shooting ranges and the DDPS in implementing the measures for military installations.
Further information
Last modification 24.12.2024
