Attorneys Still Can't Agree on Inspection of Kitsap Rifle Club

kitsapsun.com ^ | 24 Nov 2010 | Josh Farley

[smokingfrog]

Attorneys for Kitsap County and the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club are closer to consensus on a county inspection of the gun range, but not close enough to forge an agreement.

At a hearing Wednesday, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Susan Serko agreed with county officials who say more than one visit will be necessary to properly inspect the Seabeck Highway property. In October, Serko had denied the county’s request for an injunction to close the club pending a trial.

“I don’t think it’s reasonable to shut down the club,” Serko said. “ ... and I don’t think one shot is enough ... there is gray area.”

Kitsap County sued the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club in September, citing nuisance and safety concerns.

The county alleges that bullets from the range have hit nearby houses, that the range has expanded without permitting, and that more powerful weapons are being fired there than in the past. The club denies the allegations.

In denying the injunction, Serko had ordered the attorneys to draft proposals on how to operate the range until trial while accommodating a visit by county officials.

Gun club attorney Brian Chenoweth, speaking by phone from his office in Oregon, maintained the gun club has always offered to let the county on the property if officials filled out the appropriate paperwork. But he offered to allow one expedited inspection of the property in the next month “in the spirit of compromise.”

Kitsap County Deputy Prosecutor Neil Wachter said the county would need at least four visits to inspect and document the property.

Serko told the attorneys involved that they will either have to sort out the visitation issue or be prepared to argue it in court with evidence and testimony.

[JRandomFreeper]

If the county officials are that hot and bothered, why don't they fill out the paperwork, join, and ask for a guided tour?

The only reason not to do that would be that they had to perjur themselves when they filled out the paperwork.

/johnny

[HiTech RedNeck]

Or get an undercover inspector to join and go there... but maybe they already have and the guy found absolutely nothing amiss.

If ammo, as some report, is straying past their property and hitting things it should not hit, that shouldn’t be tolerated of course. But don’t they have berms all around to keep that from happening?

[Blue Collar Christian]

Do you have any back story to this case? When did the range begin business, when did the surrounding housing go in, at what bargain prices being close to a rifle range, etc?

[Domangart]

I know that people know how to build a fireing range. The problem is sometimes they cut corners. The wrong baffles. The incorrect size pea gravel. Lack of upkeep. Rounds should not leave the range. Homes should never be build down range.

[smokingfrog]

Out of control Prosecutor goes after gun club

http://www.gunsafety.org/

[smokingfrog]

I should have given you this link.

http://save-our-range.org/

[Baynative]

Neighborhood ping

[Blue Collar Christian]

If conservatives played by the same rules as liberals, like the clintons, he would die of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the back...

Where does their hate come from?

[sionnsar]

Thanks to Baynative for the ping.

Say WA? Evergreen State ping

Quick link: WA State Board

FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.
Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.

[Zarro]

Kitsap County Deputy Prosecutor Neil Wachter said the county would need at least four visits to inspect and document the property.

There's our efficient government in action. Any competent person could go out there, spend a few hours looking around and know that it was safe. Any competent person, that is.