Posted on 02/18/2012 6:44:14 AM PST by marktwain
Days after a Pierce County Superior Court judge ordered that the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club to shut down until it can obtain land-use permits, the controversy over how this club operated is sizzling.
Located along the old Seabeck Highway, when the club was originally founded generations ago, there were not a lot of people living in the area. The noise from shooting didnt bother anybody, because there wasn't anyone within earshot to be bothered.
Nowadays, that has changed dramatically because human encroachment into former forest land has brought with it the almost obligatory conflict between gun ranges and people who moved to the country for peace and quiet.
Matters have not been helped any by a local community columnist for the Kitsap Sun, who has had some smarmy things to say about the clubs publicized purpose.
A glimpse into the club's mind is evident on its website where the claim is made that the right to keep and bear arms comes from God, a claim that may help explain the almost-religious fervor with which some gun owners pursue their cause.The website also claims that the club was established for "sport and national defense." Sport, yes, but "national defense" is a pretty grandiose claim. While some of their members and instructors are veterans of our military organizations, and while the club holds competitions among law enforcement teams, it's far from the well-organized militia referred to in the Second Amendment.Rob Woutat, Kitsap Sun
That description may not be entirely accurate. You be the judge. Incidentally, theres nothing about a well-organized militia in the Second Amendment. Its a well-regulated militia. Heres what the KRRC website actually states:
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
Used to shoot at that range when we lived up in Bremerton, WA. It is out in the wilderness. But as the lefty moves into those areas, they whine about noise and turn up the stero and blast the air waves away.
If your state has not passed a “Range Protection Law” contact your state representatives to do so now. Such laws bar nuisance cases such as sound, traffic or times of shooting from being filed against existing ranges. It does not trump safety if a round leaves the range, so make sure the back stops are high and all members direct shots to not escape the range.
If silencers were no longer subject to ridiculous NFA restrictions, range noise would no longer be a problem.
My Dad use to have 5 acres in that area, adjacent to the gate that the train would hull weapons into Bangor Submarine Base. Nearly every weekend in the Summer, anti-war hippies would block the track, and if a train came, police would run them off. Often several would come running through the woods onto my Dads property, where he stood with his gun. He never shot at them, but I think he rather enjoyed the sport of scaring the hell out of them. Held them face down on the ground until police arrived, and they would be arrested for violating the posted no trespassing signs. There was a Nudist camp the next property over. Hear tell they also enjoyed the sport of hippie catching, though it wasnt just guns pointing at them.
A companion bill was also passed to shield property owners from suit from those engaged in hunting on their property. Thus only gross neglect to inform of a known, hidden unnatural danger can result in a suit for damages.
Private shooting ranges are also protected and no licensing or registration is required.
I am a big fan of the idea of getting around urban sprawl by setting up gun ranges right in the middle of it, as it were.
Industrial parks are zoned to permit noise and traffic, and are away from residences, schools and other activities that are disturbed by gun use. But they are also expensive places for warehouses.
But a very large gun range could be built underground just beneath a warehouse, with all sorts of benefits.
1) While needing a good ventilation system, it would also boast of “lead control” of expended ammunition, avoiding land pollution problems. But it could operate year around, even in inclement weather.
2) A much more convenient location to most metro area gun users, than having to drive many miles outside of the metro area. As such, it could also support gun qualifications for large groups including police departments, Boy Scouts; and school rifle teams, rare today because there is no place for them to practice.
3) Such a range could also sell refreshments, have a play area for young children and other amenities to make it more family friendly.
Build that house near the airport, then demand that no flights go over it.
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