Irresponsible, stupid, illegal. What to do about it?

[Jim Watson]

I didn't stick with the video long enough to see where that range is, but have seen pictures of the type in Switzerland, a 300 meter range over a road in a deep cut. There are a few hills in Switzerland, and choices are limited, I understand.

I have shot Long Range over a road... but I also worked as road guard explaining to passers by why the road was closed and they had to detour.

I would call the sheriff. I can see way more bad outcomes than good trying to remonstrate with a stranger with a gun.

 

[jmr40]

I think it's safe to say that what you are describing is NOTHING like what is shown in the video.

That range is the 1st thing I thought of when I read the OP. But this isn't the same.

Here is the way I'd handle it, and have done this with other situations. I know many local LE officers. Rather than calling 911 and having an official, documented complaint I've called friends with badges personally and expressed my concerns. They have made an unofficial visit to give a friendly reminder to neighbors that they shouldn't be doing this.

If approached right, in a non-confrontational way it can have a positive outcome

 

[Terry G]

I would say very firmly not to approach them yourself. Too many unknowns, too many way's this could go bad.

 

[FL-NC]

Someone that dumb has already crossed into the territory of making horrible decisions. I'm not going to lecture them on their stupidity and give them an opportunity to make another bad decision that I'll end up getting dragged into. I'd call someone who gets paid to deal with that sort of thing, instead of putting myself into a position where I might end up having to explain my actions to that same person.

 

[Howland937]

So to update the original post, I did in fact contact the Sheriff's Dept in the county where this occured that happens to be the next county over from where we live. I didn't call 911, just general dispatch. Talked to the deputy and explained the situation. The home is a new construction, but the in-laws and their immediate neighbors don't know them so I couldn't offer names. I gave him my name and number, but not the names of the in-laws or which house they own (he didn't ask either).

A deputy was dispatched, who asked a couple kids up the road who come down to play when my son is there. They directed the deputy to the home where the people were shooting and he went there, but I don't know anything else beyond that, except nobody got arrested. Hopefully that's the end of it.

FWIW, I actually called before I'd made the original post, but began to second guess myself. I know some irresponsible people, but nobody that dumb. I always figure if I'm doing something that bothers someone, I'd prefer they bring it to my attention. I guess I felt like this was significantly more than just bothering someone though.

 

[rust collector]

Folks like this make us all look bad, and shouldn't be tolerated. If not smart enough to understand the risk, "reasoning" with them isn't likely to change the conduct. Contact local law enforcement with location, time and observation and let them have the discussion and/or cite the offender.

 

[WestKentucky]

Been in that exact scenario. Idiots were standing in the road shooting down into a large ditch across the road from their property. They stopped and moved out of the road so I could drive by. I called the no -emergency number and explained the situation and they all but told me it wasn’t worth their time to come out and tell them to stop, and that they would not be actually doing anything other than tell them to stop IF they bothered to respond at all.

 

[WrongHanded]

FWIW, I actually called before I'd made the original post, but began to second guess myself. I know some irresponsible people, but nobody that dumb. I always figure if I'm doing something that bothers someone, I'd prefer they bring it to my attention. I guess I felt like this was significantly more than just bothering someone though.

You made the right decision, and I hope you know that.

 

[Offhand McFlan]

First off I’m big on myob, probably to a fault, but if someone is doing something that endangers others that’s when intervention is possibly necessary.

I'm totally with you on that. At that point someone is making it your business!

 

[Virginia Jim]

In our rural area, the deputies would talk to them and say that they had to come out because Virginia Jim had complained about their having fun.
Next day I would have roofing nails in my driveway.

 

[MutinousDoug]

It's illegal to shoot across a county or state road in Colorado. I would think a Federal road would also apply?
Seems a reasonable legislation.

 

[DustyGmt]

Police might be inclined to go speak to them, they may not. I would imagine most LE wanting to at least address it and educate the person that shooting across a roadway is both very unsafe and illegal. I would honestly want to see charges filed but without proof it's not likely. Depending on where local LE priorities are, this kind of call "might" be low priority, idk. I would consider approaching the person to let them know that they were shooting illegally across a roadway and that you or persons close to you were traveling on that roadway at the time and that you hope a lil friendly conversation could negate the need to get law enforcement involved should you have any good faith basis to believe it won't happen again. It's a tough one though, confronting someone personally could backfire depending on the person or could be physical. Normally I'd say the best thing to do would be to let police handle it, but since at this point it's hearsay they might not be inclined or empowered to do much if anything. I know one things for sure, I would do everything in my power to make sure that type of behavior was called out. What an idiot.

 

[MutinousDoug]

In our rural area, the deputies would talk to them and say that they had to come out because Virginia Jim had complained about their having fun.
Next day I would have roofing nails in my driveway.

They've already got your number. I would report that as well, "in for a penny, in for pound."

But, I see you're not going to report anything because you suspect there will be repercussions.

It must be Hell to live in the ghetto?

 

[Virginia Jim]

Quite the opposite. We learn to pick our battles.

 

[daniel craig]

Given today’s climate, no way in hell I’m intervening on someone I don’t know with a gun, who could be an absolute loose cannon.

I’d stay in the area and call LE and be there to give a statement when they arrive.

Maybe that makes me coward but I’d rather be a living coward than a dead brave person.

 

[herrwalther]

Call it in. I am not currently in a profession, getting paid to deal with people shooting dangerously. The wrong phrasing, or swagger to the shooter and you become the target instead. Maybe the police send someone out, maybe they don't. That isn't up to you to deal with. If the shooting poses an immediate threat, find an alternate route to where you are going.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

First, I will say that I would call 911 immediately, whether I knew the idiots or not. When someone endangers the life of another they need to be reported. And if you are afraid of the repercussions you need to move to utopia.

Knowing how quiet car engines can be, which adds to the danger (with or without hearing protection), just the idea that a bullet could have gone Near a child in a car..................along with your wife or girlfriend etc.

But what if the car is a Prius? Quiet, and hated by all red-blooded americans. Don't they deserve what they get?

It's illegal to shoot across a county or state road in Colorado. I would think a Federal road would also apply?
Seems a reasonable legislation.

If you're talking a federal highway, all enforcement is delegated to the state.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I'd just ask them to move to the field. I wouldn't call the cops. These are our brothers. I'm sure you could carefully shoot across an empty 25 mph road with good sight lines, so no big deal.

I love it when my neighbors a block away, on enough acreage, are shooting. Keeps package thieves miles away.

Well said.

The last thing we need to be doing in these times is ruining the lives of our fellow shootists. A quick and cordial are in order and methinks the issue could be resolved with no incursion from the law enforcers necessary.

It frankly disgusts me how some are so quick to throw their own under the bus instead of taking the time to educate and build bonds with other sportsman. Taking the easy way out (calling the police) is the cowards way.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I would stop and talk to them. Depending on the result. I would either go about my day. Or call the sheriff.
But I'm still trying to treat people like we live in Mayberry.

 

[WrongHanded]

It frankly disgusts me how some are so quick to throw their own under the bus instead of taking the time to educate and build bonds with other sportsman. Taking the easy way out (calling the police) is the cowards way.

Someone having a gun doesn't make them kin to me. And there's nothing cowardly about calling law enforcement to deal with the reckless endangerment posed by others shooting across a public road.

 

[DeepSouth]

It's illegal to shoot across a county or state road in Colorado. I would think a Federal road would also apply?
Seems a reasonable legislation.

I have a distant cousin that was walking to some woods with his son to do a little squirrel hunting. On the way they saw a duck in a neighbors pond, his son was curious to see a duck up close so he shot it, with a 22, out of season, and across a RR tack. Unfortunately for him a state game warden was sitting up the track at a stop sign and saw him.

He told me a couple years later when I saw him again that he did avoid jail but would be paying fines for years, the worst one... shooting across a federal right of way, 10K.

 

[MutinousDoug]

Quite the opposite. We learn to pick our battles.

= live in a ghetto

 

[JohnKSa]

The last thing we need to be doing in these times is ruining the lives of our fellow shootists.

People are not "my fellow shootists" just because they own a firearm and shoot it recreationally. They can demonstrate that they are "my fellow shootists" by being safe and responsible and following the law.

And people who are irresponsible, unsafe and who engage in illegal activity, ruin their own lives. The idea that it's the person who turns them in that ruins their lives is logically bankrupt. Might as well blame the police officer who arrests a criminal for ruining the criminal's life.

It frankly disgusts me how some are so quick to throw their own under the bus instead of taking the time to educate and build bonds with other sportsman. Taking the easy way out (calling the police) is the cowards way.

What disgusts me is someone defending people who are endangering the lives of others by being irresponsible and breaking the law at the same time. And, not being willing to leave it there, who takes the next step and insults those who uphold the law by reporting dangerous and illegal activity.

You need to look back at the rules you agreed to when you registered on this forum. The very first line goes like this:

Welcome to The High Road, an online discussion board dedicated to the discussion and advancement of responsible firearms ownership.

Here you are not only defending those who are doing the opposite of advancing responsible firearms ownership and calling them "fellow shootists", but also insulting those who are in favor of upholding the mission statement.

If you are so disgusted by the idea of promoting responsible firearms ownership, perhaps this isn't the place for you.

 

[Old Dog]

While I was pondering my reply to the below

Well said.

The last thing we need to be doing in these times is ruining the lives of our fellow shootists. A quick and cordial are in order and methinks the issue could be resolved with no incursion from the law enforcers necessary.

It frankly disgusts me how some are so quick to throw their own under the bus instead of taking the time to educate and build bonds with other sportsman. Taking the easy way out (calling the police) is the cowards way.

I see that JohnKSa stated my feelings quite cogently.

Yeah, not my brothers, but stating that calling law enforcement is "the cowards [sic] way" is plain wrong and also insulting to those of us who would make the call. The coward's way would be to do nothing, though attempting to reason with someone who'd engage in such egregiously stupid activity would almost undoubtedly be pointless and not be received well. As the guy said, "You can't fix stupid."

And surely, if I did involve law enforce to confront my neighbors in an attempt to convince them not to engage in shooting that was illegal, stupid and dangerous and they were the type to seek retribution by vandalizing my property that would be a sign... "Move to a place with a better class of neighbors."

 

[Frank Ettin]

...These are our brothers. ...

...our fellow shootists. ....

Phooey!

Gun owners who engage in that sort of irresponsible, dangerous, and most likely illegal conduct are not my brothers, nor are they my "fellow shootists." Let the authorities deal with it.