Free Republic

After almost a year of deliberation, Kitsap County has unveiled a draft of an ordinance that seeks to limit drone activity near the five Naval Base Kitsap installations in the county. “The Navy appreciates the effort in Kitsap County to develop this draft ordinance," said Naval Base Kitsap commanding officer Capt. Alan Schrader. "As the number of (drone) sightings increase in and around Naval Base Kitsap, this ordinance will allow the Navy and local officials to have the authorities needed enforce and comply with FAA and Department of Defense rules to ensure base security." The Federal Aviation Administration banned the...

It's All Morally Relative - End Support for Israel An Analysis of the After Effects of the Terrorist Attack by R. Alexander September 19, 2001 Many of us were surprised to hear responses coming from both U.S.citizens and our so-called allies suggesting the U.S. somehow deserved the terrorist attack. With righteous moral indignation, these enlightened critics, suddenly experts on terrorism, lecture us, claiming "this would not have happened if the U.S. hadn't been intervening in the Middle East." This criticism is said with a straight face by Americans who see no problem driving an oversized SUV that gets 12 miles ...

One of the shots hit a junk car in his yard and must've ricocheted and struck the (container) that contained $80,000 worth of fireworks. . . . He knew the container was there, he knew the container contained fireworks, he accepts responsibility. But we don't think the insurance will cover it, because it happened on business property and shooting a gun at 1 in the morning has nothing whatever to do with his business of auto wrecking . . . .

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. — County prosecutors’ criminal case against the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club’s executive officer inched closer to going before a jury ... and then was delayed until October. At a Monday hearing before Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Anna Laurie, prosecutors were successful in curbing Marcus Carter from being able to mention the county’s lawsuit with the gun club, and from making certain arguments using the Second Amendment and other rhetoric that might steer a jury away from following Washington law. Carter, for his part, pushed back against the case itself, and while his attempts to dismiss...

CENTRAL KITSAP — Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club is fighting for its life, according to legal documents filed with the Washington State Court of Appeals. Under a court order, the club’s shooting range on Seabeck Highway is effectively shut down at the moment. The club now faces what it considers to be severe restrictions on any future operations — including limited hours and the type of guns to be shot. That’s why the club went to court last week pleading for a postponement of the order handed down in Pierce County Superior Court. Members should know soon whether the stay...

Kitsap Gun Club Dodges Bullet The Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club, in the cross hairs of Kitsap County attorneys following public nuisance allegations, will only have to pay $480 in court costs, rather than the $60,000 sought by the county. A superior court judge ruled that state law limits the gun club’s liability to filing fees, the costs of serving documents and similar charges, excluding the “investigative expenditures sought by county attorneys. The Judge did order the shooting range to remain closed until the club obtains county land use authorization, which requires a public hearing before the Kitsap county hearing...

BREMERTON — Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club will be in court Friday to explain why its shooting range on Seabeck Highway should be allowed to reopen pending court appeals. The club's attorney, Brian Chenoweth, filed a motion asking Judge Susan Serko of Pierce County Superior Court to stay her order, which effectively closed the range until the club obtains land-use permits from Kitsap County. According to the legal pleadings, the court's injunction affects a property right of the club and should not be imposed until appeals are exhausted. "If the club's shooting ranges remain closed during the 18 to 24...

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 didn’t 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...

The outcome of Kitsap County vs. Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club has undoubtedly brought relief to a lot of people in the northwest part of the county. Since the club began expanding its facilities in 2005, its neighbors have been bothered by increased noise from bulldozers and from larger and larger weapons, as well as by the threat of bullets flying beyond the club's embankments. Until 1993, the club had rifle and pistol ranges with cleared land between them, but then it began clearing more acres, grading the land, excavating wooded areas and using bulldozers to rearrange the earth for...

TACOMA — The court trial involving the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club will move into its third day on Thursday, when Kitsap County deputy prosecutor Neil Wachter is scheduled to call more witnesses to support the county's case. The county is seeking to have the gun club's shooting range on Seabeck Highway declared a nuisance because of noise and risks to neighbors. The county also wants the club to be found in violation of local land-use rules related to clearing timberland, filling a wetland and diverting a stream. The club maintains that the county has overstepped its legal authority and...

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...

A Pierce County Superior Court judge on Friday delayed a decision on whether to limit operations at the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club. Kitsap County prosecutors are seeking a preliminary injunction against the club, which would curtail its operations temporarily to allow for safety and environmental inspections. The injunction also would bar any site development at the Central Kitsap gun club. Some shooting could be allowed if the injunction is approved, but the allowed activities would be the discretion of the judge. Friday morning, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Susan Serko delayed ruling on the injunction until Oct. 28 in...

Kitsap county prosecutor Russ Hauge goes after gun club to retaliate against election opponent Bruce Danielson and his supporters at the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver club, an 86 year old gun club in central Kitsap country. http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/sep/11/gun-club-suit-becomes-central-issue-in-kitsap/?partner=popular Read and comment on the articles. Encourage friends and supports to do the same. Legal Defense Fund has been established. You can make your donations at the range and soon right here. http://www.gunsafety.org/ All are encouraged to attend the County Commissioners meeting this Monday evening 9/13/10. It starts at 7pm. Be there early! 615 Division st. in Port Orchard. There are sign making...

Gun-toting members of a firearms advocacy group took to Silverdale Waterfront Park on Sunday to protest a county ordinance that appears to be at odds with state law. Kitsap County bans firearms from its parks, despite state law that allows gun owners to carry arms in the open in most public places. County sheriff's deputies saw no reason to interfere with local members of the national organization Opencarry.org, which organized the Silverdale protest, Kitsap County Sheriff's Spokesman Scott Wilson said. At Sunday's event, Opencarry.org members gathered for a picnic while wearing guns on their hips. "We are aware of the...