I know gun laws are almost nonexistent, but who can just set up a makeshift gun range?
On Wednesday the Department of Natural Resources shut down a makeshift gun range. The unofficial range at the Swan Lake Wildlife Area has generated neighbor complaints of noise and fear of stray bullets.And it's legal too:
While it’s legal on state land, DNR officials said the activity has been concerning for too long. “...we’ve gotten complaints and the litter has been constant over that time,” DNR representative Bob Manwell said ... people have brought everything from old television sets to bottles, cans and produce for targets.
So it's legal to start a makeshift gun range, but an official gun range has "regulatory hurdles?"
Despite the closure, the DNR plans to open a new range for the public about 6 miles away at the Mud Lake Wildlife Area. It could open in the fall of 2015, but it has to clear a couple regulatory hurdles first. "We’re trying to provide safe and well-designed facilities for everyone to enjoy the shooting sport," Manwell said.
It could be worse:
ReplyDeleteWant a backyard shooting range? Florida law makes it easy
"To put an addition on your home or install an in-ground swimming pool in the Florida town of Sunrise requires cooperating with code enforcement and zoning officials.
But those who want to set up a backyard shooting range there—or anywhere else in the state—can simply do so.
Under state law, local jurisdictions do not have the power to regulate recreational shooting on private residential property. The state imposes only minimal restrictions, requiring bullets not to be shot over paved public roads or occupied dwellings and banning shooting that is "reckless or negligent," the news agency notes.
Local officials who interfere with backyard gun ranges could be fined as much as $5,000 and removed from office by the governor. They are also prohibited from restricting other individual gun rights."
Yee Ha!
I'm wondering why it is the responsibility of the DNR to, "open," a gun range for anyone. A private club or a cooperative or corporate venture would apply for a zoning hearing and submit a plan to build a club, finance it and if approved, build it, insure it and maintain it. The DNR's responsibility for it should only fall to enforcing environmental regulations which might be pertinent to a particular chosen building site.
ReplyDeleteOne would think these gun lovers would be crying out loud that taxpayer money was going to be used for something the private sector and the "free," market demand should determine the necessity of and financial support for it to be created. Recreational practice shooting isn't a public right.
Whats next, the DNR, "opening," a new mining operation or CAFO?
(Apologies if I just double posted)
Why are hikers allowed to create "makeshift hiking trails" that trample and destroy the beautiful forest floor vegetation.
ReplyDeleteSee how this works?