Shooting on own land! Should one feel guilty?
- Thread starter dlawson
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Good thread, thanks. I grew up in an environment (not Maine) where the sound of gunshots meant trouble. After moving to semi-rural Maine I learned to live with the sound. And I shoot on my property too.
I've only had a couple of issues with neighbors shooting. Why start at six on Sunday morning when you know everyone can hear you? Not cool.
Years ago the guy next door was moving out the day after Thanksgiving. I had the day off and was stringing up Christmas lights on the house. I could see him taking breaks and shooting his pistol with a buddy. No big deal.
But then just as my wife pulled into the driveway he opened up with a fully automatic Thompson, and she freaked out. I called the cops because I had also noticed him drinking beer during the day. They arrived, checked and confirmed his permits, and he was out of the house the next day.
He saw me on ladder at my place all day, a simple warning and introduction would have gone a long way.
All that having been said, a good range at home is a great way to connect with the gun friendly folks around you.
I've only had a couple of issues with neighbors shooting. Why start at six on Sunday morning when you know everyone can hear you? Not cool.
Years ago the guy next door was moving out the day after Thanksgiving. I had the day off and was stringing up Christmas lights on the house. I could see him taking breaks and shooting his pistol with a buddy. No big deal.
But then just as my wife pulled into the driveway he opened up with a fully automatic Thompson, and she freaked out. I called the cops because I had also noticed him drinking beer during the day. They arrived, checked and confirmed his permits, and he was out of the house the next day.
He saw me on ladder at my place all day, a simple warning and introduction would have gone a long way.
All that having been said, a good range at home is a great way to connect with the gun friendly folks around you.
Let me toss this one out -
I live in an area where it is legal to shoot, but against HOA rules. My neighbor across the street expressed interest in removing those rules when the HOA covenants come up for a vote. In theory I should like this, but my neighbor is a hyper-emotional person who butts heads with everyone he meets.
He's been nice enough to me, but I don't know his competency level with firearms at all. He doesn't strike me as a person with stellar judgement so I have no interest in voting to allow shooting in the neighborhood. Plus these are 2-5 acres plots. A stray round could end up in someone's home very easily.
Sometimes it's not the gunfire report, but rather the neighbor doesn't know how safe you really are.
I live in an area where it is legal to shoot, but against HOA rules. My neighbor across the street expressed interest in removing those rules when the HOA covenants come up for a vote. In theory I should like this, but my neighbor is a hyper-emotional person who butts heads with everyone he meets.
He's been nice enough to me, but I don't know his competency level with firearms at all. He doesn't strike me as a person with stellar judgement so I have no interest in voting to allow shooting in the neighborhood. Plus these are 2-5 acres plots. A stray round could end up in someone's home very easily.
Sometimes it's not the gunfire report, but rather the neighbor doesn't know how safe you really are.
Your concern seems to be a specific one with regards to a specific person. I do understand that and I don't envy your position.
However, your post kind of reads like "wow, driver's licenses? I can't imagine all the really awful drivers that might apply and all the damage they could possibly do with a 4,000 vehicle, so if the safeguard is in place to keep people from driving, I say we keep it that way."
I find few things more obnoxious than Homeowner's Associations. Far too often, it's a select few with the proper "grease" and the inside track that mold the Association's "rules" to their advantage. And resident's typically pay money to be a part of this nonsense.
(and here again, we could make fine use of a VOMIT smiley here on TFL)
However, your post kind of reads like "wow, driver's licenses? I can't imagine all the really awful drivers that might apply and all the damage they could possibly do with a 4,000 vehicle, so if the safeguard is in place to keep people from driving, I say we keep it that way."
I find few things more obnoxious than Homeowner's Associations. Far too often, it's a select few with the proper "grease" and the inside track that mold the Association's "rules" to their advantage. And resident's typically pay money to be a part of this nonsense.
(and here again, we could make fine use of a VOMIT smiley here on TFL)
armoredman
New member
Perhaps someday I can get enough land to have my own range. 
It's bad enough when the ecoterrorists try to shut down the only outdoor range for miles by trying to have a "nature trail" cut into the mountain right behind it, a trail nobody in thier right mind would ever walk, but enough to close down both the civilian and the police shooting ranges.
I do envy you guys, but never feel guilty about enjoying the pleasures you've earned. Be respectful and polite, but never guilty.
It's bad enough when the ecoterrorists try to shut down the only outdoor range for miles by trying to have a "nature trail" cut into the mountain right behind it, a trail nobody in thier right mind would ever walk, but enough to close down both the civilian and the police shooting ranges.I do envy you guys, but never feel guilty about enjoying the pleasures you've earned. Be respectful and polite, but never guilty.
I find few things more obnoxious than Homeowner's Associations.
It's certainly a mixed bag but I don't want my property value affected if I ever decide to sell and believe me, there are plenty of yahoos that wouldn't think twice about leaving junked out cars, kitchen appliances and homemade shooting ranges all over the place.
On top of that, I really don't want to hear the gunshots.
"wow, driver's licenses? I can't imagine all the really awful drivers...
No, this is pretty far from a 2nd Amendment issue. This is a semi-rural neighborhood. If we backed up to a national forest, it would be a different story. If the speed limit was 80 instead of 25 mph, most people would never drive that fast, but someone will and kill a kid in the process.
It's certainly a mixed bag but I don't want my property value affected if I ever decide to sell and believe me, there are plenty of yahoos that wouldn't think twice about leaving junked out cars, kitchen appliances and homemade shooting ranges all over the place.
On top of that, I really don't want to hear the gunshots.
"wow, driver's licenses? I can't imagine all the really awful drivers...
No, this is pretty far from a 2nd Amendment issue. This is a semi-rural neighborhood. If we backed up to a national forest, it would be a different story. If the speed limit was 80 instead of 25 mph, most people would never drive that fast, but someone will and kill a kid in the process.
I think you'd benefit if you took a view from a different angle. This isn't about a "2nd Amendment issue", this is about freedom and how those groups do nothing but limit it. Those folks either couldn't find success in government, or they are practicing for their next attempt at it by running their own little kingdom.
It certainly sounds like you support the HOA's restriction on the neighbor in question's rights. I can't see a bit of difference in what you said, or if the same guy went to the State of Colorado and applied for a carry license and you went strolling in and said, "Ummm, are you sure? This guy is a hyper-emotional person who butts heads with everyone he meets."
You may have plenty of opinions about the people around you, and that's fine... even normal, I'm sure we all do. But you support encroachment on personal freedoms for your own agenda and that seems short-sighted and horribly self-centered in the way you've described it.
Imagine if your HOA could restrict your internet access because a neighbor pointed out to them that you snark about them on a discussion forum? And please don't read that and write it off as a snotty remark -- I'm trying to make a point. Your neighbor might be precisely as you've described him, but that's a personal opinion and a lousy, awful roadblock for an American to do as he pleases on his own property as long as he's safe & respectful to others around him.
We've got HOA's around the area I live that (no, REALLY) have rules in place regarding how long you may have your garage door open, how long a guest may park a car on your drive or on the street in front of your house and things of that nature.
That's ludicrous.
It certainly sounds like you support the HOA's restriction on the neighbor in question's rights. I can't see a bit of difference in what you said, or if the same guy went to the State of Colorado and applied for a carry license and you went strolling in and said, "Ummm, are you sure? This guy is a hyper-emotional person who butts heads with everyone he meets."
You may have plenty of opinions about the people around you, and that's fine... even normal, I'm sure we all do. But you support encroachment on personal freedoms for your own agenda and that seems short-sighted and horribly self-centered in the way you've described it.
Imagine if your HOA could restrict your internet access because a neighbor pointed out to them that you snark about them on a discussion forum? And please don't read that and write it off as a snotty remark -- I'm trying to make a point. Your neighbor might be precisely as you've described him, but that's a personal opinion and a lousy, awful roadblock for an American to do as he pleases on his own property as long as he's safe & respectful to others around him.
We've got HOA's around the area I live that (no, REALLY) have rules in place regarding how long you may have your garage door open, how long a guest may park a car on your drive or on the street in front of your house and things of that nature.
That's ludicrous.
Rifleman1776
New member
Guilty? No. It is your property, you should feel pleased and proud.
IMHO, this is not even a question. Your only responsibilities to others are safety considerations.
I have a small range on my property and love it. Being able to shoot is one reason we choose our current home.
IMHO, this is not even a question. Your only responsibilities to others are safety considerations.
I have a small range on my property and love it. Being able to shoot is one reason we choose our current home.
To sure shot mcgee
Acreage is over 100. My backstop is a whole mountain. Like I've said its 180 degrees in the opposite direction of the neighbors. It boils down to the neighbors not liking it. I could build another range on my property, and may do so in the future, but for now it is behind their house a couple hundred yards away. Safety is not an issue. The issue is the noise, from their standpoint. It's always something, kids were asleep, husband asleep, etc... They seem to sleep 24 hrs a day? I shouldn't have to go ask them if it's ok to shoot on my own land! I'm all about being respectful, but it hasn't got me anywhere with them yet.
Acreage is over 100. My backstop is a whole mountain. Like I've said its 180 degrees in the opposite direction of the neighbors. It boils down to the neighbors not liking it. I could build another range on my property, and may do so in the future, but for now it is behind their house a couple hundred yards away. Safety is not an issue. The issue is the noise, from their standpoint. It's always something, kids were asleep, husband asleep, etc... They seem to sleep 24 hrs a day? I shouldn't have to go ask them if it's ok to shoot on my own land! I'm all about being respectful, but it hasn't got me anywhere with them yet.
so I have no interest in voting to allow shooting in the neighborhood. Plus these are 2-5 acres plots. A stray round could end up in someone's home very easily.
Wow. PLUS?? If I lived there I absolutely would not vote to allow shooting! Not because of one person, but because of the size of the lots! How is this called "in the country??" There is no way every one of those 2 acre lots has a 20' high backstop! Do you know how far a bullet travels? it can go 2-3 miles (15,000 feet) easy! How in the world could ANYONE vote to allow shooting on 2-5 acre lots? Last time I checked I never saw a 2-5 acre lot longer than 1,000 feet! So the shooter HAS to be using HIS NEIGHBORS PROPERTY as his backstop! Good grief!
This is a semi-rural neighborhood. If we backed up to a national forest, it would be a different story.
man, this is SCARY! this is just as bad!!! So, since it is a national forest it is ok to use IT as the backstop for the clear 15,000 feet behind the backstop you need? Guess it is OK to accidentally shoot people enjoying hiking in the national park then? If one wants to build their own home shooting range they need to do it safely! There MUST be an 18' high by width of +/-15 degrees of fire line long with clear no-mans land 3-4-5,000 feet behind THAT! If that 5000 feet behind your backstop is not on your property, you are trespassing and endangering others. Google 'blue sky requirement.' NOBODY should build their own home range without studying the design criteria the NRA describes.
Wow. PLUS?? If I lived there I absolutely would not vote to allow shooting! Not because of one person, but because of the size of the lots! How is this called "in the country??" There is no way every one of those 2 acre lots has a 20' high backstop! Do you know how far a bullet travels? it can go 2-3 miles (15,000 feet) easy! How in the world could ANYONE vote to allow shooting on 2-5 acre lots? Last time I checked I never saw a 2-5 acre lot longer than 1,000 feet! So the shooter HAS to be using HIS NEIGHBORS PROPERTY as his backstop! Good grief!
This is a semi-rural neighborhood. If we backed up to a national forest, it would be a different story.
man, this is SCARY! this is just as bad!!! So, since it is a national forest it is ok to use IT as the backstop for the clear 15,000 feet behind the backstop you need? Guess it is OK to accidentally shoot people enjoying hiking in the national park then? If one wants to build their own home shooting range they need to do it safely! There MUST be an 18' high by width of +/-15 degrees of fire line long with clear no-mans land 3-4-5,000 feet behind THAT! If that 5000 feet behind your backstop is not on your property, you are trespassing and endangering others. Google 'blue sky requirement.' NOBODY should build their own home range without studying the design criteria the NRA describes.
born2climb
New member
I shoot from my front porch regularly. I have targets at 100, 250, and 400 yards from my front porch. Gotta love living in the country!
As someone who has spent most of my life living in the country, there is nothing worse than city people moving out to the country "for quiet". Country living is about respecting each others' right to do as they please (within the law) on their own property. I don't feel guilty shooting on my property, and I don't bother the neighbors for tearing around for 3 hours on loud 4-wheelers on theirs.
I let neighbors shoot on my range. I only shoot during reasonable hours. I don't shoot if someone nearby has something going on and people over. So I don't feel guilty.
I don't feel guilty about not giving in to the unreasonable either. I do have one neighbor who has both called out the police and berated my wife rather than coming and having a neighborly conversation with me. As she is not reasonable....insists I not shoot at all (she is 300 yards away), yet lets her nephew shoot on her property without a backstop and send bullets within 20 yards of me and my children...I have no interest in bending to her will and basically told her nothing was going to change and she could continue to call the cops, because they knew the situation and were unlikely to come out again.
That said, I am a reasonable person and as time allows I am building an indoor shooting house in the back of my barn that will both allow better all-weather shooting and include a sound-insulated compartment on the front to reduce the noise further.
I let neighbors shoot on my range. I only shoot during reasonable hours. I don't shoot if someone nearby has something going on and people over. So I don't feel guilty.
I don't feel guilty about not giving in to the unreasonable either. I do have one neighbor who has both called out the police and berated my wife rather than coming and having a neighborly conversation with me. As she is not reasonable....insists I not shoot at all (she is 300 yards away), yet lets her nephew shoot on her property without a backstop and send bullets within 20 yards of me and my children...I have no interest in bending to her will and basically told her nothing was going to change and she could continue to call the cops, because they knew the situation and were unlikely to come out again.
That said, I am a reasonable person and as time allows I am building an indoor shooting house in the back of my barn that will both allow better all-weather shooting and include a sound-insulated compartment on the front to reduce the noise further.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
100 acre parcel. I don't see a problem concerning the room you have available. I would if your range was built on a 1-2 acre lot and shooting high velocity rifle. So long as your shooting close to your house. {even though its in the opposite direction.}_Your neighbors will be a source of aggravation probably for as long as they live there. Unless? What you don't need is to have those complaining neighbors bring attention to your activity and have others take pity on them. To make nice. I would just move the range a fair distance from the house to a nicer spot on your land. May cost some additional bucks. But to put and end to their complaining & aggravation maybe. Its probably worth it. Just take the cost of building a new range off your income tax as a home improvement.
Same situation here. It's kind of a judgement call. I try not to shoot too early or too late. Sundays are another issue. There's a church about a mile away and don't shoot on Sundays unless late in afternoon if at all. Sometimes other neighbors are shooting or hunters which is sometimes a cue or opportunity to do some shooting myself. If hunting / or varmints all I worry about is making the shot regardless of day or time.
Closest neighbor is 1/4 mile away, but can hear them talking on phone from my deck. Sound really carries and echoes in the hills & mountains
The M44 sounds like a cannon going off.
Closest neighbor is 1/4 mile away, but can hear them talking on phone from my deck. Sound really carries and echoes in the hills & mountains
The M44 sounds like a cannon going off.
100 acre parcel. I don't see a problem concerning the room you have available. I would if your range was built on a 1-2 acre lot and shooting high velocity rifle.
We all want to be able to shoot on our own property. OK. I believe it OUR duty to police ourselves against crazy folks shooting on their property that is not sufficient to allow same.
Many city folk believe they can "move to the country" and thus shoot on their own 1-2-3-4-5 acre property..... PLEASE LET US ALL DO THE MATH TOGETHER.
1 acre = 43,560 feet square. So 1 acre can be 1000 feet long by 43 ft wide. DO any of you know ANY township that will allow a 43' wide plot? So say 2x that or 86' wide? NO, try again. So say double again: 193' wide? OK, with a zoning waver, MAYBE. So lets go with 193' wide. That makes property depth 43,560/193= 227 feet.
OK, so 1 acre in the country can be 227 feet long minimum. So:
- 2 acres=454' long,
- 3 acres=681'
- 4 acres=908'
- 5 acres=1135'
let's skip ahead......
- 8 acres=1816'
-10acres=2270f
PLEASE look at these distances..... Most city folk who move to the country and instantly set up their shooting ranges PUT THEIR 'BACKSTOP' AT THE FAR EDGE OF THEIR PROPERTY.
PLEASE think about that.... So they get upto 1,000ft of shooting distance from their 'table' to the 'backstop on up to 5 acre plot..... OK. BUT WHO'S PROPERTY DO THEY THEN USE FOR THEIR BACKSTOP OVERSHOOT?? please people, go to NRA and other sites to see what a distance is required AFTER the backstop; it is THOUSANDS OF FEET! That backstop should also be 18 feet MINIMUM HEIGHT! Hi velocity rifles? PLEASE! How far will a 22 pistol bullet go???
So how do these folks think they can POSSIBLY set up a shooting range on less than 10 acres!!?? OR 20 OR 30??? THEY CANNOT!!!
So PLEASE stop suggesting anyone can put a legal home shooting range on less than 20-30-40 acres!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We all want to be able to shoot on our own property. OK. I believe it OUR duty to police ourselves against crazy folks shooting on their property that is not sufficient to allow same.
Many city folk believe they can "move to the country" and thus shoot on their own 1-2-3-4-5 acre property..... PLEASE LET US ALL DO THE MATH TOGETHER.
1 acre = 43,560 feet square. So 1 acre can be 1000 feet long by 43 ft wide. DO any of you know ANY township that will allow a 43' wide plot? So say 2x that or 86' wide? NO, try again. So say double again: 193' wide? OK, with a zoning waver, MAYBE. So lets go with 193' wide. That makes property depth 43,560/193= 227 feet.
OK, so 1 acre in the country can be 227 feet long minimum. So:
- 2 acres=454' long,
- 3 acres=681'
- 4 acres=908'
- 5 acres=1135'
let's skip ahead......
- 8 acres=1816'
-10acres=2270f
PLEASE look at these distances..... Most city folk who move to the country and instantly set up their shooting ranges PUT THEIR 'BACKSTOP' AT THE FAR EDGE OF THEIR PROPERTY.
PLEASE think about that.... So they get upto 1,000ft of shooting distance from their 'table' to the 'backstop on up to 5 acre plot..... OK. BUT WHO'S PROPERTY DO THEY THEN USE FOR THEIR BACKSTOP OVERSHOOT?? please people, go to NRA and other sites to see what a distance is required AFTER the backstop; it is THOUSANDS OF FEET! That backstop should also be 18 feet MINIMUM HEIGHT! Hi velocity rifles? PLEASE! How far will a 22 pistol bullet go???
So how do these folks think they can POSSIBLY set up a shooting range on less than 10 acres!!?? OR 20 OR 30??? THEY CANNOT!!!
So PLEASE stop suggesting anyone can put a legal home shooting range on less than 20-30-40 acres!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The NSSF recommends the criteria of Army Regulation 185-63 be used when designing firing ranges. The US Army always owns the property to the maximum range of the weapon being fired.
When the property line does not extend to the maximum range of the weapon being fired, one absolutely must have a good barricade. The firers name is on every bullet that leaves the property.
When the property line does not extend to the maximum range of the weapon being fired, one absolutely must have a good barricade. The firers name is on every bullet that leaves the property.
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thank you thallub.
NRA also shows you must have THOUSANDS OF FEET behind the backstop! Or else pass the "NO BLUE SKY" rule that says there is NO WAY a bullet can go past the backstop as it is all enclosed with no sky showing.
So these posts about shooting ranges at home on 1,2,3,4,5, EVEN 10 ACRES ARE PURELY NOT POSSIBLY SAFE! Now, if one wants to move to the country and buy 5 acres and then PAY rent to their neighbor for the 3-6 thousand feet beyond their backstop on their property, that is ok.
I really think WE need to police this better: I believe that includes not letting posts appearing that ok home ranges on less than 10 acres go unchallenged unless special circumstances make it safe.
NRA also shows you must have THOUSANDS OF FEET behind the backstop! Or else pass the "NO BLUE SKY" rule that says there is NO WAY a bullet can go past the backstop as it is all enclosed with no sky showing.
So these posts about shooting ranges at home on 1,2,3,4,5, EVEN 10 ACRES ARE PURELY NOT POSSIBLY SAFE! Now, if one wants to move to the country and buy 5 acres and then PAY rent to their neighbor for the 3-6 thousand feet beyond their backstop on their property, that is ok.
I really think WE need to police this better: I believe that includes not letting posts appearing that ok home ranges on less than 10 acres go unchallenged unless special circumstances make it safe.
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