Safety and no shooting areas

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Flintshooter

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Just a little curious about what laws are in different states and communities regarding shooting near residences in rural areas. I know in some states there is a specified distance you must be from a residence to discharge a firearm.
Here’s the burr under my saddle.
I have a workshop in a very small rural crossroads community. The building is a former two car garage that is sitting out by itself a little over 100 yards from both of the two county roads that pass through. On the road to the south are several houses, one of which is a rental. The renters have built a log backstop of maybe eight feet wide by six feet tall that is positioned so my shop is almost directly down range, and in the summertime when I’m mowing there have been occasions when I was directly downrange when they decided to start shooting. None of the neighbors who live out there are happy about them shooting so close to everybody, but local LE have told them there is nothing that can be done. I get the impression the two clowns doing the shooting are the type that asking them to at least refrain while I’m mowing would be a waste of time. Indiana has no law I can find to stop it but I have thought about trying to push a county ordinance and would like some examples from other areas.
Anybody who thinks I’m being unreasonable is welcome to stand at the fifty yard line at the range of their choosing while I shoot at a target two stations over.
 
I believe in Indiana it's per county, so check their website instead of the state.

Also, the DNR should be able to point you the right direct; often this stuff is in their safe-hunting guidelines, or just call and ask if they can point you to the right place to find out.

And/Or... since it seems it'll need someone else to enforce it, just call the Sheriff's Office and ask if they can advise.
 
Those kind of people give gun enthusiasts a bad name. :mad: Could they have built their backstop at 90 or 180 degrees from where its at? Being aimed right at you is really dumb. Ask them to build it so you are not behind it. (I know good luck with that)
 
In Colorado, shooting on private property in unincorporated areas is allowed as long as conducted "safely". The "safely" determination is made by an LEO assessment of your berms, firing direction, etc, if somebody complains. Here in Boulder County, the snowflakes get pretty cranky when the Sheriff tells them to pound sand when they don't "like" that neighbors can shoot guns. The important thing is that truly unsafe shooting is stopped, while safe shooting is permitted. In some more populated areas, just calling dispatch to let them know you will be shooting prevents any visits from LEO if you are a previously safe operator.
 
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And why haven't you discussed this with the landlord? People who are sufficiently adult to be renting property are somewhat more likely to be thoughtful than your average knucklehead.

Call the landlord, or write a letter if you can't find a phone number.
The landlord in this case is a muti-millionaire who owns filling station/convenice stores in multiple counties. As long as the rent is on time he really doesn’t care about anything else.
 
Not that I'm the suspicious type, but it seems there is more to this "situation" than is immediately apparent. There have been or are at least a dozen similiar "situations" across the state of Indiana where the folks who oppose the 2nd Amendment are trying to push their agenda and stop private ranges, gun shops, ccw businesses, etc. To borrow a phrase, "I get the impression," that the prejudice displayed towards "the two clowns doing the shooting" combined with the surity that "asking them to at least refrain while I’m mowing would be a waste of time" while suggesting anyone who disagrees "should stand at the fifty yard line at the range" indicatess that the real purpose here is simply "to stop it."
 
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Those kind of people give gun enthusiasts a bad name. :mad: Could they have built their backstop at 90 or 180 degrees from where its at? Being aimed right at you is really dumb. Ask them to build it so you are not behind it. (I know good luck with that)
To the east and west of them are houses much closer than my shop, but not closer than I might be when mowing. To the south by lesss than 100 feet is a road. My shop and the property I maintain is to the north.
 
Not that I'm the suspicious type, but it seems there is more to this "situation" than is immediately apparent. There have been or are at least a dozen similiar "situations" across the state of Indiana where the folks who oppose the 2nd Amendment are trying to push their agenda and stop private ranges, gun shops, ccw businesses, etc. To borrow a phrase, "I get the impression," that the prejudice displayed towards "the two clowns doing the shooting" combined with the surity that "asking them to at least refrain while I’m mowing would be a waste of time" while suggesting anyone who disagrees "should stand at the fifty yard line at the range" indicatess that the real purpose here is "to stop it."
And you sir all full of it up to your ears.
I’m 67 now and I’ve been shooting since about age six. With muzzleloaders I have competed in nine different states. On ANY range I have ever shot on, black powder or modern, stepping forward of the firing line on a hot range is about, if not THE, biggest violation there is. These gentleman, (since it offends you I won’t use the word clown - I guess finding garbage dumped in an area I don’t now colors my opinion of them) are putting me downrange whether I like it or not.
They are on a lot that might be 100 feet wide by 150 feet deep. They are firing toward property that is something over six acres. I could easily put up a backstop and shoot in a direction where there isn’t a house or even a barn for MILES. I don’t because I have some respect for the wishes of my neighbors. Instead, I pay dues to NRA and a local club to shoot at a local range.
I was in the service industry the last twelve years I worked and had numerous, almost daily, incounters with self-entitled ......is jerks OK with you? I know ‘em when I see em. And the two being discussed here more than qualify.
 
The landlord in this case is a muti-millionaire who owns filling station/convenice stores in multiple counties. As long as the rent is on time he really doesn’t care about anything else.
Until one of those bullets leaves his property causing harm or damage and then he gets sued for a few million......;)
 
And you sir all full of it up to your ears.
I’m 67 now and I’ve been shooting since about age six. With muzzleloaders I have competed in nine different states. On ANY range I have ever shot on, black powder or modern, stepping forward of the firing line on a hot range is about, if not THE, biggest violation there is. These gentleman, (since it offends you I won’t use the word clown - I guess finding garbage dumped in an area I don’t now colors my opinion of them) are putting me downrange whether I like it or not.
They are on a lot that might be 100 feet wide by 150 feet deep. They are firing toward property that is something over six acres. I could easily put up a backstop and shoot in a direction where there isn’t a house or even a barn for MILES. I don’t because I have some respect for the wishes of my neighbors. Instead, I pay dues to NRA and a local club to shoot at a local range.
I was in the service industry the last twelve years I worked and had numerous, almost daily, incounters with self-entitled ......is jerks OK with you? I know ‘em when I see em. And the two being discussed here more than qualify.
You're allowed to shoot on a piece of property that tiny? Amazing. here in Florida, you need a minimum of 10 acres and then you'd better have a safe backstop and not shoot towards other structures
 
I would look for ricochets on my building, if you can find them that will shut down their impromptu range. It will also add weight to the personal damage lawsuit you may have to file.
 
I agree, people who shoot towards close occupied buildings are clowns.

Since it is a rental, I would have an attorney send a letter to the owner of the property, sounds like he has some business acumen. It should state that you are putting him on notice that his renters are creating a hazardous condition, possibly a situation where bodily harm or even death may result, and you will file suit if any projectiles land on your property and cause physical damage or personal injury.

If there are ever children in the workshop, that could be mentioned also.

You should get his attention when he realizes the clown's actions may have serious financial repercussions for him. If you can find out who his corporation's lawyer is, sent a copy to him, he may be able to pound some sense into the owner.
 
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Until one of those bullets leaves his property causing harm or damage and then he gets sued for a few million......;)

Yup, that might work...

Have an attorney draft a Letter Of Notice to landowner, that
1. Unsafe gunfire is being conducted on his property by his tenants
2. His urgent intervention is requested to cease the tenant's unsafe gunfire.
3. Having been given notice, should any death, injury, or property
damage occur from continued unsafe gunfire by tenants on said
property, the owner may hold some degree of liability.

Send it off, certified with receipt, and first class...CF a copy to
county recorder's office, board of commissioners, and sheriff.

AFA what other jurisdictions have, regarding firing in rural
areas--doesn't matter, not a whit, to OP's situation.
 
An LEO complaint and visit to the site; a verification that habitat is in the shooting line of sight, that the habitat is in range and in danger should be enough for LEO action.
If no LEO action, then my good judgement would dwindle and I would pay a visit while they are shooting. Then something would have to give as I would not be a passive, ring-my-hands target for simple minds. You have a responsibility to yourself not to be down range - that simply cannot stand.
 
An LEO complaint and visit to the site; a verification that habitat is in the shooting line of sight, that the habitat is in range and in danger should be enough for LEO action.
If no LEO action, then my good judgement would dwindle and I would pay a visit while they are shooting. Then something would have to give as I would not be a passive, ring-my-hands target for simple minds. You have a responsibility to yourself not to be down range - that simply cannot stand.
Several of the neighbors have complained and been told that no law is in place to stop it. That is what I started this thread for, to find out what the law’s are in other areas.
I have thought about popping out the door of the shop with a scoped rifle when their out there and sending a few rounds into my side of their backstop just to see how they like it. But I would never actually do it.
 
GeorgeP in Charlotte County Fl. it only need be 5 acres, but you Can't have any projectile leave your property..... I have seen some of those kinds of problems with the dimmer bulbs..... The Sheriff will respond and take an interest if they see a dangerous situation.
 
I used to live in Marion; there it was 10. Now up here near the GA border, I do not know as I live in an older neighborhood of 1/2 and 1 acre lots; although I do hear gunfire now and again not THAT far away..........
 
. . . a muti-millionaire who owns filling station/convenice stores in multiple counties.
Business owners, at least successful ones, tend to be attentive to liability. This business owner has a huge liability, if he knows his tenants are doing this, and permits it to continue.

There's always exceptions, and I know everyone thinks landlords are Snidely Whiplash, but I'll bet a letter from your lawyer formally informing him of the situation would cause the situation to cease.

ETA: this is a terrible, no good, very bad, positively atrocious idea, but a couple pounds of Tannerite in their burm would be just too funny. . .
 
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This is an interesting topic on a bigger front because urban sprawl and the never ending desire of people to tell other people what to do is a huge threat to the Second Amendment....and all the other rights people have too. And soccer moms and old-time country folks are having clashes of culture that don't help.

I will assume it is exactly as you say, and please don't be offended by that statement because we don't know each other from Adam, but I have reasons to doubt I will elaborate on in a second. But assuming it is exactly as you say, and law enforcement has told you basically they can't help you with an obviously hazardous situation, you REALLY need to communicate with the landlord, and probably through a lawyer. This is too serious a situation to piddle around with and you don't need to confront hot headed idjits yourself unless they actually force themselves on you.

Now on the doubting part. A neighboring VERY RURAL county to me has passed through it's county council a very vague and broad noise ordinance in which basically anybody can complain about anybody, regardless of distance apart and safety, and legitimately expect to taken seriously. This was largely initiated by the "I don't like people shooting on their own property" crowd. I want silent sounds of nature undisturbed by redneck neighbors. I have NO sympathy for their position...being a freedom loving American...and I think it's possible why you might have experienced some doubts from the other member.

In any regards, if I DO hope you get this resolved if it is indeed a hazardous situation.
 
I get the impression the two clowns doing the shooting are the type that asking them to at least refrain while I’m mowing would be a waste of time.

I rarely get an answer to an unasked question. Attitude may make or break any conversation though. If you do speak with them, I would avoid addressing them as clowns, unless they have big floppy shoes, makeup and red noses that honk.
 
This is an interesting topic on a bigger front because urban sprawl and the never ending desire of people to tell other people what to do is a huge threat to the Second Amendment....and all the other rights people have too. And soccer moms and old-time country folks are having clashes of culture that don't help.

I will assume it is exactly as you say, and please don't be offended by that statement because we don't know each other from Adam, but I have reasons to doubt I will elaborate on in a second. But assuming it is exactly as you say, and law enforcement has told you basically they can't help you with an obviously hazardous situation, you REALLY need to communicate with the landlord, and probably through a lawyer. This is too serious a situation to piddle around with and you don't need to confront hot headed idjits yourself unless they actually force themselves on you.

Now on the doubting part. A neighboring VERY RURAL county to me has passed through it's county council a very vague and broad noise ordinance in which basically anybody can complain about anybody, regardless of distance apart and safety, and legitimately expect to taken seriously. This was largely initiated by the "I don't like people shooting on their own property" crowd. I want silent sounds of nature undisturbed by redneck neighbors. I have NO sympathy for their position...being a freedom loving American...and I think it's possible why you might have experienced some doubts from the other member.

In any regards, if I DO hope you get this resolved if it is indeed a hazardous situation.
To start with, I would like you or anyone else who is interested to get on Google Earth and look up Springersville, IN. The part being discussed is the northeast corner with the Springersville, Road on the south and CR 450E on the west. My shop is the larger building out by itself with a red roof near a smaller building with the same color roof (utility shed) slightly to the south and east of the shop. The rental house, partially obscured by trees, is the third house east of the intersection on the north side of Springersville Road.
This isn’t about noise.
They are shooting from a point less than fifty feet from the road at a backstop about twenty feet from the property line. If they were the neighbor to the north, well over 100 yards away, and shooting east where a missed backstop wouldn’t be any big thing because there are no houses for miles let alone close by and in sight.
 
I rarely get an answer to an unasked question. Attitude may make or break any conversation though. If you do speak with them, I would avoid addressing them as clowns, unless they have big floppy shoes, makeup and red noses that honk.
I regularly find piles of garbage in a grown up area I don’t mow. Maybe they aren’t the ones dumping it, but the problem didn’t exist until they moved in. They bring, and I have personally caught them at it, their pit bull or mastiff or whatever it is - it’s a BIG dog - over on the ground I do keep mowed to relieve itself. Others HAVE asked them not to shoot that close to others houses and have pretty much, if not literally, been told to F*** themselves. I have delt with people like them for years. They are entitled, they can and will do whatever they want, and if you don’t like it, TS
 
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