Town banned guns-Now what?

[AirGunFan]

I am an air gun enthusiast. I own 20 acres of field with no cars or vehicles nearby. However, my neighbor loves to get me in trouble. Once while i was out by my backyard, i saw her spying on me with binoculars. After some kids shot out windows with their air guns, my town decided to ban air guns. I am really pissed i can even shoot on my own property when i have no chance of hitting a window/person. I can't shoot my gun because my neighbor spys on me, and she called the police last July 4 for sparklers/ etc... Does anyone know what i could do, is it possible to get a special permit for me to shoot my gun? A letter to the mayor won't work, anyone know a legal place to shoot some small game near Arlington/Mansfield, Texas 76063? I called the police department and they said its illegal to shoot any type of air gun within town limits. Thanks for you advice, tips, and most importantly, the time you took to read this.

-AirGunFan

 

[Old Fuff]

I would talk to an attorney to make sure the town has the authority to ban air/gas powered guns. Possibly they can prohibit shooting them in public places but that would be about it.

I would also consider putting up a wall that would block your neighbor's view.

 

[ocharry]

i agree ,,,,build a wall or privacy fence

ocharry

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Building a fence would be the thing to do if just to irritate your nosey neighbor! BTW,a municipality DOES have the authority to ban shooting air rifles within the city limits. Under the heading of public safety,of course. I served as city councilman for 8 years and researching the limits of civil government was in my area of responsibility.

 

[AirGunFan]

buliding a fence is slightly out of the question, i already have one but its not tall enough, and i would have to tear down my old one and build an EXTREMELY TALL fence...my neighbor has a 2 story house, and growing privacy hedges would take a lot of matinence. Anyone know where i could shoot small game near Arlington/Mansfield 76063 Texas?

 

[MCgunner]

Build a small, covered "shooting house", say 15 feet by 8 feet? No wall on back or front, but walled from your neighbor. Carry your gun out there in a sheet or something, set up a table, set up a spinning target, and go for it.

Or, you could just pull a screen or open a door or something in the house. Gotta be a way to skin this cat.

Meanwhile, there isn't something you can report your neighbor for? Stand out in the yard with your binocs and wave at her, with one finger, bout middle of the hand.

BTW, what's this got to do with hunting?

 

[TCB in TN]

I would call my local police and report her as a peeping "Tom". Make it very uncomfortable for you nosey neighbor to be so nosey.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Without photographic evidence how is the city gonna prove you were shooting an airgun.

Another option would be to use a crossbow



Myself I would have some fun with this neighbor. Like discretely letting them see me bury a couple trash bags full of something late at night. I would also get in the habit of carrying a toy rifle with me at all times around the place

 

[hatchetbearer]

on an "as seen on tv" ad just a minute ago there is this tree called the austree, its like a privacy bush except it grows like 30 ft in 7 months, plant a row of those out, I'd also go with the carrying of toy guns or hi powered airsoft guns around and find people to hold regular matches at your place, they are electric and spring powered and only run a few bucks.

 

[ArmedBear]

This might help with the binoculars.

http://www.nativeoutdoors.com/cyclops.html?gclid=CIGd__nci5MCFSouagodUWmRfA

Report her as a peeping tom, figure out ways to make her life difficult, then offer a parlay.

Definitely some sort of privacy fence. If possible, make it REALLY UGLY when seen from her side.

Also, Gamo has a suppressed air rifle in several models, now. One of those in a little shooting shed ought to do the trick. Or, shoot from inside the house at a target outside. I've done that, in the middle of the city. Nobody has ever said "boo" about it.

 

[AndyC]

Seems to me that if it's illegal, it's illegal (as much as that sucks). I wouldn't want to get nabbed on (potentially) a weapons-charge for the sake of shooting an airgun.

 

[Big Daddy K]

20 acres. Isnt there a law that allows you to hunt in a city on private land of 10 acres or more. This was done mostly for dove hunters I believe.

I think it would be worth getting an attorney to pursue this.

Also call 570 AM KLIF. Very very pro gun radio station. In fact I would call 570first.

I think Mansfield is the town that was some sort of "sactuary city" for illegals.

KLIF was all over that.

 

[jmr40]

Build a BB trap and shoot indoors.

 

[mbt2001]

hmmm.

I recommend talking to an attorney about the air rifle injuction and about your peeping tom neighbor.

If you document things she does, you might be able to prove harrasment or something. A privacy wall / bush is a good idea.

AVOID getting into feuds... Old ladies buy the magazines in the Publishers Clearing House because they have no life and then sue later on saying "they were taken advantage of" and that they "thought they had won" all the time and win... I mean, the world has a blind spot when it comes to that. If I were you I would:

1.) Send her flowers for mothers day
2.) Send her a birthday card
3.) Invite her over for X-mas and the 4th...

Most likely she would leave you alone. Most of the these old ladies kids (sons mostly) have moved away and seldom write / visit / call... But I dunno if that is the case here.

 

[Texas Colt]

Big Daddy K is correct. There was a law passed a couple years ago that allows you to hunt (bows or shotguns) if you have over 10 acres, even if it is inside the city limits. If you have over 50 acres, anything goes.

I have some friends who own 10.3 acres inside the city limit and we hunt deer with our bows and slug guns (it is a remote location, but still inside the city limits). Another friend has a 200 acre ranch that is now inside the city limits

The law was passed to help protect hunting rights since the land-grabbing city councils keep expanding their borders.

 

[RedLion]

got to admit, sliding the door/window open works pretty good, at least for me and I have a house angled at about 45 degrees next to me.

Of course I always got to wonder if they'll figure it out every time I go to pick up an out of date can of pop (soda) that spontaneously exploded in my back yard!

 

[koja48]

Talking to an attorney is good, citing her for stalking is better (let's call it "invasion of privacy," just for an example . . . you have rights, too). Beyond that, shoot where she can't see you . . . she can't see ALL aspects of your property, can she?

 

[AirGunFan]

I really dont kill animals for fun with my air gun...You see i kind of have too. I have 3 HUGE pecan trees and hundreds or squirrels come to my property...Not even funny. I put tons of traps, repellent, poison, those suckers got smart. I used to have my friends come over and just slaughter them all with their gamos. My neighbor doesn't peep as much, but she called the police. However, when the came, they still warned me that if they ever saw me with an air gun, they would give me a $2,500 ticket. I'd rather have hundreds of squirrels than a 2.5k ticket. Thanks for you help guys- if any1 still has suggestions, feel free to shoot.
(Pun intended)

 

[koja48]

Buy one of these, mod it, and don't let the old blister see you . . .



the impact you can hear . . . the report you can't.

 

[AirGunFan]

Well, the thing is I would have no problem with squirells butThey are tree rats from Hell...o

Last summer, i couldn't get any sleep because some squirrels decided to move into my attic. They chewed out my a/c wires witch i spend 6 hours fixing. I couldn't even sleep at night because all i would hear is the squirrels running across my ceiling. I am also a bit worried my 2 year old son would get bit a rabid squirrel? They steal my dog's food, mess up my house, and could get my son rabies. I've sent letters to the mayor but they don't even bother to reply. I can't even go hunting for rabbits and prairie chicken, going out of my house without driving maybe 3 hours? Mansfield is a small town with about 60,000 people, i have huge land but i want to know if i could get a special permit to shoot those squirrels.

 

[skinewmexico]

And I remember when Mansfield was a little country town, instead of a bedroom city for yuppies. I second the Austree idea. They're cheap, and they grow super fast if you keep them watered.

 

[Wildfire]

Move.

Hey there: I don't want this to sound stupid but it may. I would move.
That may not be an op for you I know.
Take a camera when outside and if you see your busy body watching you take her picture. Then wave. She will go nuts.
When the cops come, show them the picture.
My brother in law did this and his neghbor now leaves him alone.

 

[AirGunFan]

Ahhh its so late right now... Moving does sound like the best answer. But it's probably never going to happen.

 

[HighVelocity]

I have a couple ideas in regards to your neighbor.

1. Put up a pole mounted "Tornado Siren" in your yard. Every time you catch the neighbor spying, test the siren.

or

2. Get a young male donkey, that'll give her something to look at.

 

[qajaq59]

Call a lawyer and maybe the NRA as well. But don't break the law.... Or you may end up losing your right to even have one.