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Big Chief
Posts: 32,995 Senior Member
Florida lawmakers take aim at backyard gun ranges
Big Chief
Posts: 32,995 Senior Member
Hey there are plenty of places to shoot in FLA, called Golf Courses, I say close a bunch down and make them gun ranges..:devil:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/17/florida-lawmakers-take-aim-at-backyard-gun-ranges/?intcmp=latestnews
South Florida lawmakers are taking aim at a state law that allows residents to have backyard shooting ranges.
Florida, a state with some of the least restrictive gun regulations in the country, passed the law in 2011 and attempted to keep local lawmakers from making changes by including the possibility of a $5,000 fine and being removed from office should anybody try.
However, Sunrise and other cities are concerned about the law not having clearly defined rules on safety.
Last week, the 4-member Sunrise City Commission passed a resolution urging the state to address statutes that allow “unrestricted and unregulated” ranges and the firing of a weapon in urban, residential neighborhoods.
The South Florida cities of Boynton Beach, Southwest Ranches and Hallandale Beach and Hollywood are considering similar measures, as reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
The law makes clear that backyard gun ranges are permissible as long as the gunfire is not negligent or reckless.
However, it doesn’t state the type of backstops that are required and which kinds of guns or ammunition are allowed. Nor does the law state hours of operation and how far they must be from such places as schools or playgrounds, says Sunrise Mayor Michael Ryan.
Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper told the newspaper she's willing to risk the fine and pay her own legal expenses, as stated in the law.
"It's gotten to the point of absurdity that things like this are taking place and we are handcuffed from regulating it," she said. "It's absurdity at the worst level."
Hollywood Commissioner Patricia Asseff wants the state to fix the law.
"I never heard of such a crazy thing," Asseff said. "If some bullet goes flying through the hedges, somebody could get killed. We're not the wild wild west here."
Ryan sent a letter a few weeks ago to Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, asking for guidance, and was reportedly told to wait on taking action because the issue is the subject of pending litigation and awaits an opinion from the state’s Attorney General's Office.
Ryan could not be reached Monday for comment.
And it remains unclear whether such ranges even exist.
State Rep. Katie Edwards, a Democrat, told the paper she is asking law enforcement officials if they even know of any ranges.
And the Boynton Beach mayor told the newspaper: This is the first I'm hearing of it.”
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/17/florida-lawmakers-take-aim-at-backyard-gun-ranges/?intcmp=latestnews
South Florida lawmakers are taking aim at a state law that allows residents to have backyard shooting ranges.
Florida, a state with some of the least restrictive gun regulations in the country, passed the law in 2011 and attempted to keep local lawmakers from making changes by including the possibility of a $5,000 fine and being removed from office should anybody try.
However, Sunrise and other cities are concerned about the law not having clearly defined rules on safety.
Last week, the 4-member Sunrise City Commission passed a resolution urging the state to address statutes that allow “unrestricted and unregulated” ranges and the firing of a weapon in urban, residential neighborhoods.
The South Florida cities of Boynton Beach, Southwest Ranches and Hallandale Beach and Hollywood are considering similar measures, as reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
The law makes clear that backyard gun ranges are permissible as long as the gunfire is not negligent or reckless.
However, it doesn’t state the type of backstops that are required and which kinds of guns or ammunition are allowed. Nor does the law state hours of operation and how far they must be from such places as schools or playgrounds, says Sunrise Mayor Michael Ryan.
Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper told the newspaper she's willing to risk the fine and pay her own legal expenses, as stated in the law.
"It's gotten to the point of absurdity that things like this are taking place and we are handcuffed from regulating it," she said. "It's absurdity at the worst level."
Hollywood Commissioner Patricia Asseff wants the state to fix the law.
"I never heard of such a crazy thing," Asseff said. "If some bullet goes flying through the hedges, somebody could get killed. We're not the wild wild west here."
Ryan sent a letter a few weeks ago to Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, asking for guidance, and was reportedly told to wait on taking action because the issue is the subject of pending litigation and awaits an opinion from the state’s Attorney General's Office.
Ryan could not be reached Monday for comment.
And it remains unclear whether such ranges even exist.
State Rep. Katie Edwards, a Democrat, told the paper she is asking law enforcement officials if they even know of any ranges.
And the Boynton Beach mayor told the newspaper: This is the first I'm hearing of it.”
It's only true if it's on this forum where opinions are facts and facts are opinions
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
Replies
you cannot tgt shoot in the city; however, go 500 yds outside the city you can.
I've read the Fla. statute and it is a little ambiguous but I'd rater see that than the statute be too detailed and regulate backyard ranges out of existence. For example, a good friend of mine built a house near Azle Texas almost 20 years back on around four acres that he bought and built a nice range with a 40 foot bluff at the back of his property for a backstop. As people from Fort Worth migrated further west out of town for cheaper land to build their estates on, his property got surrounded by other houses and some of those new neighbors didn't want any backyard ranges around them. They made enough noise to get legislation passed that requires the people in that town to own at least 10 acres to be able to shoot on their own property. Most of the lots are less than that.
The idea of firing a gun in Hollywood, Hallandale Beach or even 99% of SunRise or Southwest ranches is dumb.
They are all built up areas.
Parts of the extreme west part of Sunrise might be the exception. Even Southwest Ranches where lots and homes are huge, and some are considered mini horse ranches is too densley poplulated for shooting.
When questioned the City Officials could not name one backyard gun range.
My guess is that someone is attempting to backdoor the law and will attempt to shut down the small .22 only private outdoor range in Hollywood, and the Broward County owned/operated Range in Markham Park.
95% of land owners or better don't shoot on their property...that explains a 6000+ person membership at my local private range and 20,000+ attendance at the local public range. So those law makers can go to hell.
I HATE municipalities. They always just screw up things with BS ordinances and try and get laws passed that affect a whole state because their city council is butt hurt about something.
ETA:
Cities = Garbage. The smallest local government should be the county. That's it. If you want to form a loose regional council to help focus local interests (like landscape, parks, etc), fine. But it would have NO power to create or enforce ordinances or collect fees or impose fines!
I better stop before this becomes a wicked rant...
Yup. Cities are garbage.
Florida passed a Preemption statute specifically to STOP cities from passing local ordinances which prohibited carry/possession/transfer in places the state allows. Orlando, FL tried to regulate possession/transfer at a gun show that rents out the Central Florida Fair Grounds--a county facility! Oh, hell no, the state said. Along with other similar city shenanigans around the state, the Preemption statute was passed. The cities are still butt hurt about it.
Hurlburt Field has a range on base and membership is open to active and retired military, and civil service. Basically, If you work on base, you can be a member.
YES! This is the real issue.
Luis