fearful neighbor

[shiftyer1]

I have a neighbor who is deathly afraid of target practice gunfire. I am shooting at four double stacks of solid oak firewood backed by large stumps and also shooting low into sandy soil. Shes called the sheriff several times, he nevered stopped but drove by. Today she was bangin on the door wanting to know who was shooting at what. We had a discussion about how unsafe gunfire was and accidental shooting. It was a friendly conversation but she was trying to force me into saying i'd stop. I gave of the same impression that I wouldn't. She left saying she felt better and would try to relax, but at the same time gave the impression of being totally scared to death of shooting.

Whats the best way to deal with this? I have 10 acreas and am shooting into never never land. NOTHING is in my line of fire for miles. Shes worried about a 10 acre ricochet from a handgun.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Some folks around here will tell you it's your God given right to shoot whenever you want and you should throw that in her face, but that isn't going to win many friends*.

If you've got 10 acres, you might just see about setting up a more "permanent looking" shooting range a bit further away from her. You should clarify whether it is the prospect of a stray round that bothers her, the noise, or both.

If it's a stray round, making sure you've got a big berm and shooting further away from her may allay her fears. If it is the noise, moving a bit further away or limiting your shooting to a few hours in the afternoon may set things straight. You can't imagine the difference in perception people have when there is a semblence of some attempt for improvement. I've shown people shooting spots in the desert with a 500' hill as a backdrop and they'll ask if I am worried about riccochets. At the same time, no one has ever been concerned about the spots where a backhoe has taken out a load of gravel from 20' tall knoll.

*(Regarding winning friends, there will certainly be some internet chest thumping about "the sound of freedom" and that she should enjoy it, but the reality of the matter is that this is the way noise and shooting ordinances come about.)

 

[HeavyDuty]

How long have you lived there, and how long has she?

 

[Mainsail]

Yeesh, I feel for you. Tell her that liberty is a scary thing sometimes, and that there are plenty of other countries where she'd feel more comfortable.

 

[Carl]

Maybe invite her for some target shooting? She doesn't seem angry that you have the right to shoot, but more so scared of her safety. Once you desensitize her to the world of guns and shooting, she'll realize that it would be an irrational fear in that case. It'd also be a good opportunity to show her how safe you are when shooting.

 

[wrs840]

I hate to say it, but ten acres isn't very much for a safety zone...

Les

 

[shiftyer1]

Shes scared of the noise and the possiblity of getting hit. We've been here longer, and we've also been robbed. Actually it's my mothers house and ONLY on sunday when I pick up my boys from the weekend with grandma I fire 30 rounds or so seldom more unless it's .22. I've fired 9mm .357 .45 .410 .12ga and for 10 rounds 7.62 x 39. I don't as a rule fire rifle or shotguns out there. But handguns are loud also. Actually I don't think there is a solution other than I do it and she gets used to it. She is a city lady from what I gathered and also a tree hugger.

 

[shiftyer1]

Also it's in bastrop texas and the ground is very soft, and sandy. Absolutly no rocks and in a fully wooded area. There is no way for a bullet to pass though the target and steer through acre of trees. Also aiming low into the soil.

 

[average_shooter]

She is a city lady from what I gathered and also a tree hugger.

I am shooting at four double stacks of solid oak firewood backed by large stumps...

Well, see there ya go. She's mad because you're just mutilating the bodies of those poor innocent dead trees.

 

[wrs840]

You're not his neighbor are you,Les?
10 blooming acres!

No. Ten acres just doesn't add up to much distance, no matter where you start from... Unless you're shooting into a really-high natural berm.

Les

 

[Cpt. America]

Tell her to get used to it.

 

[230RN]

Buy her a set of earplugs.

Some dogs are afraid of thunder. You've seen this, of course, where the dog (even big ones) will cower under a chair.

I've long suspected that a similar phenomenon can occur with some people. Just a belief, you understand.

I'm not suggesting earplugs sarcastically, but because I think it might actually help.

You can approach her diplomatically about it, saying you recognize that gunfire noise actually bothers some people and that it might help her. Remind her that it's both safe and legal.

You might invite the LEOs to shoot there once in a while, too.

Several people here and elsewhere have commented that folks move out from the city, and then they want to convert the country back into the city, forgetting what goes along with being in the country.

Terry, 230RN

 

[Suicide*Ride]

I know just how you feel!!

After living in our house 2+ yrs., my M.in-law put a mobile home on the back of our 5 acres. I would shoot off the back deck & found out later (3-4 weeks after her move) that the gun fire would "scare her to death".

Funny.... I seem to remember shooting w/ my pa in-law 100ft from their old house w/o so much as a peep from her.

After finding out about her discomfort.... I would call to forwarn her before shooting, but my firing sessions would be twice as long.

 

[paintballdude902]

just say "this is my piece of dirt i was here first what do yah think about that" lol sorry im listening to music


just be polite tell her that you arent breaking anylaws and you are confident in your backstop

 

[Carl]

So is she ten acres behind your backstop or ten acres next to you? That could change a few things.

EDIT: Rereading the OP, nevermind I missed the "nothing for miles behind line of fire" part.

 

[rondog]

Maybe invite her for some target shooting? She doesn't seem angry that you have the right to shoot, but more so scared of her safety. Once you desensitize her to the world of guns and shooting, she'll realize that it would be an irrational fear in that case. It'd also be a good opportunity to show her how safe you are when shooting.

Best answer so far, IMO. Carl is wise. I agree to take her to the shooting location, and show just exactly what your setup is, what you're doing, and how. Maybe even offer her a .22 rifle to try.

Ya never know, she might take a likin' to it. Which could create a whole new problem....

 

[Ned Kelly]

I shoot guns a lot but for some reason when I am at home in town and I hear a 22 or shotgun go off it makes me cringe.

I don't know why really I guess I am always wondering if I am being shot at. Like a bell going off in my head.

 

[Oyeboten]

I'm with Ned on this...

If I had a neighbor who was firing Guns often, I'd be cringing and uncomfortable also...wondering when a riochet or miss or AD is going to hit the Vase on the Piano, buzz-my-Ear, or ding my Car whatever.


No easy answer there...


Ideally...as others already suggested - see if she'd like to learn to Shoot...and, with that, only Shoot at sheduled predictable times.

It's the 'unknown' factors, with people shooting close by, which can bother or un-nerve...

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

I wouldn't advise inviting her to shoot so fast. Considering her emotional and illogical foolishness, she would more likely endanger you and herself than a randomly picked stranger. Trying to help people like her tends to backfire rather badly. Stay away.

Try to shoot at her favorite time if possible, move your range back (unless your current spot has the only backdrop), etc etc...I'd have a talk with the police if they kept responding to her crying wolf. She's the one causing the problem. It's time to put a stop to her pounding on your door, asking questions...don't bow to that garbage. She won't stop unless you ignore it or figure something else out.

 

[Sport45]

I agree with Jorg. Build up a dirt berm to shoot into. It will give her some piece of mind and actually be safer for you too.

What do you do with the firewood after you've used it as a backstop? I'd think twice about using in a fireplace, especially if there are kids in the house.

 

[HippieMagic]

That is the good thing about where I live... If the neighbors hear you shooting they get their guns and join you. The worst thing I had to deal with was some old lady saying I was shooting her cat... A cop drives over to me and asks me and I am like "With what?" and he is like "A gun of some sort..." I just looked at him funny and was like "I don't even have one..." Well he just gave me a warning and left then got another call and another call... old lady still says I am shooting at her cat so he comes over and searches me...

Go figure there is no gun on me of any type... I asked him where he even saw a cat at because at this point I was getting annoyed thinking the cop has nothing better to do than to bother me... so I started getting somewhat mouthy at that point I mean you search me 3 times, I empty my pockets, and I am nowhere near anything... I told him I wanted to know who was insisting I was shooting her cat... he said he would go talk to her. So I see him yet again about 20 minutes later... turns out the lady didn't even have a cat but she knew the boys in the street were shooting it...

 

[General Geoff]

the best solution is: Get a silencer.

 

[Vonderek]

Since you're only there periodically maybe it's the suddenness of the gunfire that startles her. Tell her you will give her a heads up before you start shooting in the future and ask for her phone number. It will show her a degree of respect and make you a good neighbor and may be all you need to change her attitude. If this is agreeable to her the next step would be to invite her to shoot at a later date and eventually maybe you will have her actually looking forward to your visits.

 

[Hostile Amish]

Buy a suppresor.

 

[heron]

Planting more trees between your properties could help cut down the noise somewhat. Maybe even just building a short wall at the side of your shooting position to reflect some of the noise away from her.