Backyard ranges? This is going to look bad for us

[Charley C]

Back Yard Shooting Ranges

With all of this talk about so-called "back yard" shooting ranges, I'm very surprised than no one yet has mentioned anything about:

!. What kind of gun / guns are likely to be used on a particular range; as everyone here already knows, various different guns produce various different levels of noise, and a lot of people can't stand things that are "noisy".

2. Noise; How much shooting is likely to be going on, the time of day, proximity to neighbors, etc etc etc

The first thing that people living any where near "any place" where any target shooting is done on any kind of a regular basis, is, they hear the gunfire, and they wonder......."will I need to worry about any stray bullets coming into my property"?

Secondly, all guns, (even .22 hand guns and rifles ) make a certain amount of noise, and many people, (actually a LOT of people ) just don't like the sound of gunfire, legal, illegal, or otherwise.

These are just a few of the things that I thought about before I started doing any target shooting on my property. I discussed it with my only neighbor who lives less than maybe 1,000 yards from my place, then I discussed it with a good friend (who just happens to be our County Sheriff. ) Mike advised me that as long as the location where I did my shooting was "safe", there wasn't anything anyone could "do about it" inasmuch as it's on my own property, in a VERY SAFE location; (the bottom of a ravine / "gully" with the terrain on either side being from 20 feet to 50 feet above where I shoot. I wasn't really that concerned about the "safety" angle, as I'm surround by dirt on 3 sides; I was mainly concerned about anyone hearing gunfire, then calling the Sheriff's Dept. and causing them a "bother". Mike assured me that they get "bothered" at least 500 times every day, but if I felt like giving the dispatcher a call when I'm going to be shooting, then they could relay that "info" to any callers or complainers and they could avoid any unnecessary dispatches.

I think the "sound of gunfire" angle is the biggest worry people shooting on their own (rural ) property need to think about. I already knew I would be "legal" and "safe"; I just don't want anyone living within a mile or two of me thinking that I'm a "nuisance".

 

[NMPOPS]

Even out here in the wild west we have State Laws (that are enforceable by local LE) that specify when & where you can discharge a firearm i.e. no discharge within in 500 feet of a dwelling, no shooting across a road etc. Surprised Florida has no such law.

 

[alsaqr]

Yes, the loud sound of gunfire is concern for some neighbors. Then there's that pesky thing about bullets leaving the so called "range" and causing injury to people and property.

Seriously injury or kill someone with a bullet that leaves your property and get consolation prize; sued into bankrupcy and; perhaps, a prison term for negligence.

One of my firing ranges is 1/4 mile from the closet neighbor. i don't shoot on that range out of deference to the very sick 85 year lady who lives there.

Some shooters, like the subject of the OP. have little common sense.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

...Back yard ranges are ok, if your not an idiot about setting it up.

Of course they are -- when done right. But when irresponsible folks start doing it wrong, their neighbors start clamoring for laws.

Apparently part of the need for legislation of rules (into laws) is because self regulation is very problematic. It only works so long as it isn't a problem for somebody else.

The guy could have made a much safer backyard range and it still would have been a problem for his neighbors, and with valid justification.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Had this continued, I'd wonder what having a "hey, hold my beer" style shooting range in the back yard would do for neighbors' property values?

I think I saw something similar on some TV show (Last Week Tonight? Colbert Report?) about some similarly bright fellow who also had a backyard (or side yard) shooting range at his house, with neighbors in what would be considered the range fan if it was a military range. In that guy's case, his "backstop" also included a canal frequented by people in boats.

I'm very pro-2A, but this is just a Rule 4 safety violation, and just as unsafe and irresponsible as some guy flagging me or his buddies with his muzzle at my local range.

 

[oneounceload]

Dem. legistator has introduced bill to make ranges in residential neborhoods illegal

Let's hope that is meant only for residential backyard outdoor ranges and not one in a bona fide indoor shooting facility that happens to be in a residential neighborhood.

 

[strambo]

I have no problem with prohibitions against discharging firearms within city limits as is the case most everywhere. Your rights end where others begin. The danger and noise pollution (at suburban backyard ranges, hearing damage) is a BIG issue.

Ideally, it would be prohibited unless inspected/approved giving a well-healed person or a person in a remote property technically w/in city limits the ability to build a safe range if they choose to.

Just this month a woman in a rural WA whos property is adjacent to the local gun club took a bullet to the head in her yard, she is expected to recover I believe. She is suing, the gun club counters she can't prove it came from them. #1 Really? (Occam's Razor applies). #2, apparently they found over 1lb of projectiles in her yard with metal detectors...

So, this can be a real safety hazard even in rural areas and established gun ranges. In that light, this backyard range is a hideous joke, nobody has the "freedom" to recklessly endanger other people like that whether it is "legal" to have a backyard range or not.

Reckless endangerment is never legal. Negligent assault or homicide is never legal either.

 

[Sav .250]

Today`s Orlando sentinel newspaper.

"And state law says it`s just fine to shoot for fun and sport in a neighborhood as long as the shooter doesn`t fire over a paved street ,occupied home or "recklessly and negligently." "

There are times in life when the minority (neighbors) have had enough.
They complain to their legislators. The pressure is on!

Laws get changed. What was once almost a wild west atmosphere as far as some back yard gun ranges were operated , now are no more.

This is not to say "all" are irresponsible. Some actually know what they are doing.

Point is and Bravado aside. When people get killed others take note!
You can only hold back the Dam from springing a leak for so long.

Folks with back yard gun ranges control their own destiny.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Just this month a woman in a rural WA whos property is adjacent to the local gun club took a bullet to the head in her yard, she is expected to recover I believe. She is suing, the gun club counters she can't prove it came from them. #1 Really? (Occam's Razor applies). #2, apparently they found over 1lb of projectiles in her yard with metal detectors...

This is a problematic case. So while they might have found over 1 lb of projectiles, finding the shell casings in her yard sounds like there might be shooting going on right in her own yard.

Investigators entered three shell casings into evidence but could not find the object that hit Sperling, the sheriff’s office said. It also said it could not determine from which direction it came; however, investigators couldn’t rule out that the object did come from the rifle range.

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Clar...-head-injury-to-shooting-range-291342121.html

However, if her home is behind the range's backstops (there are homes located behind the range's backstops and in line with the ranges), then she might have a very good case, but that would not explain the shell casings. However, if behind the berms like the Caldwell's were, then she certainly may have a good case.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/couple-awarded-175k-lawsuit-over-stray-gun-range-b/nYT7p/