Devonai
Member
Today I headed out to the by-permit-only range that's run, ostensibly, by the Commonwealth. This range is in a town that is probably one of the greatest culture clashes in Massachusetts east of 495. While rural, the town of Byfield is still within commuting distance of several major metropolitan business centers. The range itself is part of a "wildlife management area," sort of a miniature state park. Since obtaining my range permit in April I have noticed a lot of people wandering around birdwatching, mountainbiking, or simply going for a walk who are astonished to find a 35-yard centerfire range and a 100-yard shotgun range there. Since both ranges are directly off of the main road through the area, they're impossible to ignore. I take pleasure at the occasional Volvo with Mom & The Kids rolling down the road, staring in shock at us while we chew up the backstop with everything imaginable.
According to those in the know, the range is tenuous in its existence. More and more residents within earshot are complaining about it, but so far the Commonwealth's answer has been "the range was here first." That being said, strict adherence to the rules of the range is more important than ever. Targets must be collected and disposed of in the provided trash barrel. Brass policing is not mandatory but most people do pick up their shotshells and throw them away, as they're more obvious and less appealing as gravel. The shotgun range is for shotguns only as the backstop is nothing more than trees, bushes, and a slightly more distant hillside.
Today I had two interesting experiences. One was when I decided to test out my Garand with blanks to see how it would function. The centerfire range was full so my friend and I proceeded to the shotgun range, which was empty. After firing the blanks (not a single hiccup) we policed all the brass and walked back to my car. A woman was riding her bike down the road and stopped to say hello. She asked us if we knew there was no hunting allowed, to which we replied yes. She then asked us if we knew the shotgun range was only for shotguns, at which point I indicated that we were only firing blanks. We exchanged some further pleasantries and that was that. I found it interesting that she stopped to inquire as to whether or not we were breaking rules even though I plainly had a big ol' rifle slung over my shoulder. That's some kind of gumption.
As we were leaving another vehicle showed up. The occupants jumped out and began unloading their weapons from their truck. Among those most obvious were an AR-15 carbine and some pistols. My friend and I raised some eyebrows but simply said hello before leaving.
Back at the centerfire range, my friend and I waited our turn for a lane to open up. As we did, the guys back at the shotgun range began to light the day up with everything they had, apparently as quickly as possible and at nothing in particular. One of the regulars was there that day and we commiserated about the fact that those yahoos could single-handedly succeed in getting the range shut down. When the truck left, we tried to get the plates but they had on one of those anti-radar covers and we couldn't read it!
So, we were left wondering to what lengths we should go to report the incident. I still haven't decided. If it were just a matter of politeness I wouldn't care (I think the shotgun backstop is perfectly safe), but these guys are jeopardizing everybody.
According to those in the know, the range is tenuous in its existence. More and more residents within earshot are complaining about it, but so far the Commonwealth's answer has been "the range was here first." That being said, strict adherence to the rules of the range is more important than ever. Targets must be collected and disposed of in the provided trash barrel. Brass policing is not mandatory but most people do pick up their shotshells and throw them away, as they're more obvious and less appealing as gravel. The shotgun range is for shotguns only as the backstop is nothing more than trees, bushes, and a slightly more distant hillside.
Today I had two interesting experiences. One was when I decided to test out my Garand with blanks to see how it would function. The centerfire range was full so my friend and I proceeded to the shotgun range, which was empty. After firing the blanks (not a single hiccup) we policed all the brass and walked back to my car. A woman was riding her bike down the road and stopped to say hello. She asked us if we knew there was no hunting allowed, to which we replied yes. She then asked us if we knew the shotgun range was only for shotguns, at which point I indicated that we were only firing blanks. We exchanged some further pleasantries and that was that. I found it interesting that she stopped to inquire as to whether or not we were breaking rules even though I plainly had a big ol' rifle slung over my shoulder. That's some kind of gumption.
As we were leaving another vehicle showed up. The occupants jumped out and began unloading their weapons from their truck. Among those most obvious were an AR-15 carbine and some pistols. My friend and I raised some eyebrows but simply said hello before leaving.
Back at the centerfire range, my friend and I waited our turn for a lane to open up. As we did, the guys back at the shotgun range began to light the day up with everything they had, apparently as quickly as possible and at nothing in particular. One of the regulars was there that day and we commiserated about the fact that those yahoos could single-handedly succeed in getting the range shut down. When the truck left, we tried to get the plates but they had on one of those anti-radar covers and we couldn't read it!
So, we were left wondering to what lengths we should go to report the incident. I still haven't decided. If it were just a matter of politeness I wouldn't care (I think the shotgun backstop is perfectly safe), but these guys are jeopardizing everybody.
