The Cedar Rapids Police Department Shooting Range on Old River Rd. in southwest Cedar Rapids on Monday, June 18, 2007.

A bill that would protect the Cedar Rapids Police Department’s outdoor shooting range from noise complaints from neighbors has sailed through the Iowa House 98-1.

The state Office of Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman previously ruled that the outdoor shooting range at 2727 Old River Rd. SW violates a state law prohibiting a publicly owned shooting range to be within 200 yards of inhabited structures.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, offered an amendment to limit the bill to the six law enforcement shooting ranges in operation when the bill becomes law.

“It’s important to know this range is available to local, county, state and federal law enforcement,” Rep. Vicki Lensing, D-Iowa City, said. “Without the range, they wouldn’t be able to train and be proficient when we need them.”