Spoonman
Member
I had a new and much too exciting experience yesterday.
My 25 year old son and I went to the shooting range (Hannahatchee Wildlife Management Area) to shoot yesterday. This is a pretty nice range and my family shoots there a lot, even though it's about 50 miles away. It was misting rain when we got there, so we shot from the rifle bench area (covered). We had a good father/son experience and there were no other shooters there. Afterward, we swept up our brass/ policed our targets. We had moved the 50-yard target stand to about 25 yards, so we put it back in place.
About 2 - 3 miles down the road, I was blue-lighted by a DNR officer. I put my hands casually on the wheel and awaited his instructions. He instructed me to exit and turn slowly around (from his truck). I was searched, put in the 'position' on his truck hood, given Miranda notification, and arrested (my son, too). I was informed (only after I asked) that we were under arrest for "violating range rules" by moving the target stand and because we failed to pick up all our brass (My bad. I had failed to pick up probably 30 or so .45 empties from the grass in front of the firing line.). We were taken to the Stewart County jail and told (by the DNR officer) that we had to post cash bond of $250 each. He did not set/ request a court date.
At no time was I anything but respectful and cooperative, as was my son. I have stressed to my sons that the DNR officers are among the very best of enforcement officers, with a tough and dangerous job. They are to be afforded the utmost of respect and cooperation (as should all LEOs). This officer seemed over-reactive and used unnecessary measures during this situation. I agree that he should take steps to provide for his own safety but was it really necessary to arrest cooperative citizens (who admitted their wrongdoing) when a citation would have served? Neither of us has any prior legal issues (speeding ticket about 10-12 years ago for me). Even the Stewart County Sheriff didn't understand (he released us on out own recognizance after about an hour). I went back and picked up my brass.
It's hard to reconcile this officer's behavior with my instructions to my sons when their peaceful and cooperative father was treated like Claude Dallas.
LEOs, please help me to understand. One of us out of line. Was it me?
Clif
My 25 year old son and I went to the shooting range (Hannahatchee Wildlife Management Area) to shoot yesterday. This is a pretty nice range and my family shoots there a lot, even though it's about 50 miles away. It was misting rain when we got there, so we shot from the rifle bench area (covered). We had a good father/son experience and there were no other shooters there. Afterward, we swept up our brass/ policed our targets. We had moved the 50-yard target stand to about 25 yards, so we put it back in place.
About 2 - 3 miles down the road, I was blue-lighted by a DNR officer. I put my hands casually on the wheel and awaited his instructions. He instructed me to exit and turn slowly around (from his truck). I was searched, put in the 'position' on his truck hood, given Miranda notification, and arrested (my son, too). I was informed (only after I asked) that we were under arrest for "violating range rules" by moving the target stand and because we failed to pick up all our brass (My bad. I had failed to pick up probably 30 or so .45 empties from the grass in front of the firing line.). We were taken to the Stewart County jail and told (by the DNR officer) that we had to post cash bond of $250 each. He did not set/ request a court date.
At no time was I anything but respectful and cooperative, as was my son. I have stressed to my sons that the DNR officers are among the very best of enforcement officers, with a tough and dangerous job. They are to be afforded the utmost of respect and cooperation (as should all LEOs). This officer seemed over-reactive and used unnecessary measures during this situation. I agree that he should take steps to provide for his own safety but was it really necessary to arrest cooperative citizens (who admitted their wrongdoing) when a citation would have served? Neither of us has any prior legal issues (speeding ticket about 10-12 years ago for me). Even the Stewart County Sheriff didn't understand (he released us on out own recognizance after about an hour). I went back and picked up my brass.
It's hard to reconcile this officer's behavior with my instructions to my sons when their peaceful and cooperative father was treated like Claude Dallas.
LEOs, please help me to understand. One of us out of line. Was it me?
Clif
