Discharging Firearms - Your Advice

KJ Farm · #1 04/21/08, 11:54 AM

I live in rural Arkansas. I have neighbors on 2 sides of me that like to target practice for 3-4 hours at a time. I realize the right to bear firearms is a good thing that is being attacked. However, what about discharging firearms and disturbing the peace and scaring livestock. The Deputy Sheriff says that there is nothing that can be done unless someone is hurt or property is damaged. Many of the lots around me is 3 to 5 acres. Hardly enough to target practice on in my opinion. One shooting neighbor does own more land but is right next to the smaller lots. I know folks have strong opinions about this topic. Be nice and factual. Does anyone know the law around this issue? Is is a federal, state or local issue? Any advice or opinions will be appreciated especially from those that have dealt with a similar problem.

YuccaFlatsRanch · #2 04/21/08, 11:59 AM

You need to get a life or go back to the city. On 3 or 5 acres I can build any number of safe ranges, and if the sound hurts your ears, do as suggested above.

michiganfarmer · #3 04/21/08, 12:03 PM

Its tough when rural land is chopped up into small parcels, and people choose to live close to each other.

Go talk to them. Ask them nicely if they could limit thier shooting to a single day per week, or some lesser amount than what is bothering you.

If they refuse to negotiate, and the sherif says there is no law that he can enforce to quiet things down, call the state cops, and see what they say. Talk to your township. See if there are any noise ordinances.

You might just be stuck with the noise.

wilded · #4 04/21/08, 12:05 PM

When you move to the country you move to unrestriced areas where the landowners can do as they please as long as it is safe. We have a family place that is 300 acres and a neighbor bought 8 acres up against one side. Everytime we fire a gun they start yelling to stop. I can not wait until one of there goats gets on our place. Can you spell BBQ. The opening morning of deer season they run 4 wheelers up and down there fence line to scare the deer. I will be filming it this year so I can file charges under a new law in Texas. I would help any of our other neighbors in anyway I could. We have split fence cost with 3 of them already. If you move to the country do not expect to be in town. JMHO

mwhit · #5 04/21/08, 12:07 PM

I know here in NY that you can shoot as long as you are not 500 feet from a road or residence. I really doubt there is anything you can do about it.

Michelle

suitcase_sally · #6 04/21/08, 12:08 PM

I could be wrong here, but I'm going to stick my neck out and ask. Are you new to the area? The fact that you said many of the lots are small makes me think that the once rural farmland is becoming suburbia. We have neighbors on either side that shoot occasionally, especially just before the opening of deer season. I admit it's irritating but the only real problem is my little foo-foo dog is terrified of guns. I have asked the neighbors to please let me know when they are going to shoot so I can get the little guy in the house and this has worked out well.

As for the law, here in Michigan it's illegal to fire a gun within 500 ft. of a house and you can't use a rifle in the lower half of the "lower penninsular" due to population densities. In some states (at least when I was a kid) it was illegal to shoot on Sunday.

Jack T. · #7 04/21/08, 12:09 PM

I can't help on the laws, and I won't try to make them up as I go.

However, would you want people complaining to the authorities when you spend X amount of time mowing your lawn or performing other loud activities? What if a neighbor had a child drown and would throw a fit if you built a pool. . .would you change your lifestyle to make them feel comfortable?

Further, three (3) to five (5) ares is plenty of room for pistols, and even rifles, provided that the normal safety rules are followed.

Probably not what you want to hear, but just enjoy the sound of freedom. :-)

pointer_hunter · #8 04/21/08, 12:10 PM

I would think that if the sheriff said they are legally in the right, there isn't much you can do. I know personally if I wanted to shoot on my land I would want the freedom to do it. If they are responsible neighbors, they will be ensuring that they are shooting in a safe direction with an adequate background to stop the bullets from traveling off of their property.

You can go over and speak with them about it. Maybe if you explain your issue with the animals, they could give you a heads up before firing and you can put them in a more secure area so they don't panic. I would think that if they shoot a lot, the animals will become accustomed to it. Who knows, if they have a nice set up, they may allow you to go over and shoot with them!

stranger · #9 04/21/08, 12:11 PM

they have plenty of land to shoot on and there's no law against it long as they are within so many feet of your buildings, why not just go talk to them and come to an agreement when they can shoot and when your animals will be out, i know the feeling when trying to milk and a gun goes off, the cow tries to get in my lap, but i'm in the country and they have just as much right to shoot at chucks as i do to milk. i'd rather have neighbors with guns on my side than on the other side.

michiganfarmer · #10 04/21/08, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suitcase_sally

As for the law, here in Michigan it's illegal to fire a gun within 500 ft. of a house

Ive been through a similar problem. the only thing the law says about distances, at least in Grand Traverse county, is during hunting season there is no shooting within 150 yards of an occupied building without the owners permission. Ive looked it up on Michigans website, and Ive talked to the sherif, state cops, and the DNR

MullersLaneFarm · #11 04/21/08, 12:24 PM

Last Labor Day we had a friend and her daughter out to our place to teach her gun safety and how to fire a rifle. She is now living in the country and her DH sometimes is gone overnight for business.

To the north of our property is a small sub-division.

Paul has set up a safe firing range pointing towards the south of property that is nothing but farm lard for the next couple of miles. There is a pasture, barn, workshop and our house between us and the closest neighbors

One of our neighbors in the subdivision is a state police officer. We were surprised when he showed up and said someone in the neighborhood complained about us shooting. Guess they had visitors in from the Chicago area and the shooting made them real nervous.

We were assured that it was perfectly legal for us to continue, but we set it aside our lessons for another weekend. But to tell us that we can't?? I don't think so.

TxAprilMagic · #12 04/21/08, 12:27 PM

Go back to the city. If you feel this way about neighbors in the country that have the right to shoot their guns (that is why we live in the country) then you live in the wrong place.

Macybaby · #13 04/21/08, 12:52 PM

I would suggest joining them. I'm lucky in that the nearest nieghbor is over a mile in any direction, so our shooting activities don't bother them too much (our second nearest neighbor is the County Sheriff too). But I don't complain when it's weaning time, or when the bulls are getting active and holler all night long. I don't even complain when they are drying grain - now that can be noisy!

If your neighbors are shooting as much as you say, I'd think your livestock would get use to it. Our horses will graze not far from where we shoot and they don't care. Our chickens follow us to the berm, to see if there will be anything to eat, and usually wonder away after a bit. Our dog was very fearful of firearms, but she handles the pistols just fine. I'll put her in the kennel if we are taking out the long guns. The kennel is actually very close to the shooting range, but since nothing bad has happened to her in the kennel, she gets less upset. We got her from the pound and think someone beat her with a long gun at some point, as it's not the noise that upsets her.

I know there are always exceptions, but animals do get use to things if they are routine and non-threatening. Our horses even got use to them dynamiting behind the property when we were renting a farm back in WI. You want to talk noise - try living next to property that someone decides to remove and crush rock. We in the process of buying the farmstead when we found out the mineral rights to the land next door (owned by the same individual) had been sold and the company had plans for a ten year project to remove and crush rock. 6 days a week, 10 hours a day, starting about 6am with the big trucks and crushers. The plant ended up about 1000' from the house - not fun at all!

I'd rather listen to someone shooting than a darn lawnmower or loud stereo.

Cathy

tamsam · #14 04/21/08, 01:09 PM

HMMMMM You live in the country and there will be noise. What if they complain if you have family with yelling kids? Sorry but I had rather hear the gunshots than hear a bunch of noisy kids with the language they use today. Maybe get to know your neighbors and they might share some of the rewards of guns with you. Nothing better than a fresh deer steak. Sam

bumpus · #15 04/21/08, 01:18 PM

.
Laws are different from town to town and county to county.

You are stuck with the laws in your county until they are changed.

Go find out what the whole law say for your county.

Many sheriffs don't know the whole law.

bumpus
.

wolfwalkerpa · #16 04/21/08, 01:27 PM

You got to love people that leave towns and city's and try to bring the city with them.

Common Tator · #17 04/21/08, 01:27 PM

I am a firm believer int he Second Amendment, and we have a rifle range on our 42 acres. However there is a Seventh Day Adventist camp nearby. We won't shoot when we know they are having a worship service. I think it wise to try to get along with your neighbors. Ask nicely if they would limit their shooting to a certain time of day. If they aren't willing, there is nothing you can do. But some day they may require your cooperation with something, so they would be wise to consider working with you.

nappint · #18 04/21/08, 01:33 PM

Have you talked to your neighbors or did you just call the sheriff?

I would think if they are reasonable and neighborly they would be willing to let you know when they will be practicing and you could find something in town to do that day.

However, I don't think your neighbors would be nearly as willing if you just picked up the phone and tried to sic the sheriff on them - that kind of stuff does get around...know what I mean?

We really try to be accommodating to our neighbors whenever possible but ultimately we do what we want on our land just as I'm sure you do.

big rockpile · #19 04/21/08, 01:51 PM

I live close to a State Rifle Range.There is shooting there from first light and I have seen them use Pickup lights to shoot after dark,every day of the week.

I went down there early one day I was number 80 in line.I said bull on this went back to the house and shot like I normally do.

My neighbor comes here for couple weeks a year.Has complained about running Small Gas engines,Dogs,music,Talking,Driving on my property,you name it he has complained about it.It has came to the point I see him coming over here I tell him to just head back the other way I don't want to hear it!!

My Mom had a business that had been going for years giving Jobs to 3 families.Someone moved from the city complained so much over couple years about the noise that she finally gave up and closed down.

big rockpile

watcher · #20 04/21/08, 02:11 PM

First off, never get legal advice from a law enforcement officer (LEO). The police tend to only have the very basic understanding of the laws are are told by others with not much more understanding just what is legal and what is not. Their job is to arrest people its the jobs of the lawyers and judges to know what the law says or doesn't say.

For your question. First thing to do is to talk the the neighbors. They may not understand just how loud it is on your place. If that doesn't work call the local DA/prosecuting attorney and ask them about the possible laws covering the situation. If nothing else a lot of places have noise laws that might cover it. If all else fails you can plant thick hedges or build fences to cut the noise some.

On the other side of the issue and something you might want to talk the the neighbors about. You can build what amounts to a large muffler to control the noise. You take several old tires and stack them to form a tunnel. The more powerful the firearm the more tires. Then loosely fill the tires with sound deadening material. I think the most common thing used is fiberglass. (I don't think I'd use it because of the muzzle blast breaking off very small strands of glass and me breathing them in.) It won't cut all the noise but it will reduce it greatly, especially to the sides.