The_MacGarage
Member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2019
- Messages
- 13
I live in the more residential area of a township in Ohio. Recently, a neighbor that lives about 800 feet to the east of me and that works on guns at home, starting shooting firearms into a woodpile. This woodpile lacks any NRA recommended firearm range safety measures. When the guns are discharged, they are pointed directly at my home and backyard. Most of the 800 feet of space between my neighbor and I, is several acres of open farmland and a small amount of light brush. This is not a wooded area but more of a residential neighborhood. We both have about .75 of an acre of land.
I contacted both my local sheriff and township officials and really have not really received a response back. The township Board may look at my issue later this month. The sheriff did not respond to my phone call (I called during an active shooting so they could check things out themselves) or email yet.
I am familiar with the Ohio Revised Code regarding townships’ authority to regulate firearms (lack of ability that is) and the need for residents to follow guidelines in creating a safe outdoor firing range found in publications such as the National Rifle Association’s The Range Source Book. I looked into creating my own firing range several years ago but concluded that it was impossible to safely fire a weapon in the opposite direction due to the close proximity of so many other homes, children, horses, and pets. I felt that even in following all of the recommendations in The Range Source Book, the likelihood of a deadly accident was too great.
The neighbor’s firing range is simply a small woodpile. A live bullet can easily pass through an open space in a woodpile. If the woodpile is missed, my home is in the direct line of fire for the bullet. It appears there was not a “Site Evaluation” similar to the one described in The Range Source Book. It lacks any safety features and does not take in consideration the direction of fire is pointed at a residence. Even if you remove the fact the direct line of fire includes a home just several hundred feet away, according to The Range Source Book, this firing range lacks any type of backdrop and side berms and/or side walls.
I am wondering if it is even legal to fire a weapon with an occupied home so close in the direct line of fire? I am fully supportive of someone local working in a firearms business and enjoying target practice but would expect them to abide by the industry’s safety standards.
Is there anything I can do? I feel I cannot even be in my yard or garage when he is firing his weapons. Luckily, my home is brick so I do feel a little safer there.
I contacted both my local sheriff and township officials and really have not really received a response back. The township Board may look at my issue later this month. The sheriff did not respond to my phone call (I called during an active shooting so they could check things out themselves) or email yet.
I am familiar with the Ohio Revised Code regarding townships’ authority to regulate firearms (lack of ability that is) and the need for residents to follow guidelines in creating a safe outdoor firing range found in publications such as the National Rifle Association’s The Range Source Book. I looked into creating my own firing range several years ago but concluded that it was impossible to safely fire a weapon in the opposite direction due to the close proximity of so many other homes, children, horses, and pets. I felt that even in following all of the recommendations in The Range Source Book, the likelihood of a deadly accident was too great.
The neighbor’s firing range is simply a small woodpile. A live bullet can easily pass through an open space in a woodpile. If the woodpile is missed, my home is in the direct line of fire for the bullet. It appears there was not a “Site Evaluation” similar to the one described in The Range Source Book. It lacks any safety features and does not take in consideration the direction of fire is pointed at a residence. Even if you remove the fact the direct line of fire includes a home just several hundred feet away, according to The Range Source Book, this firing range lacks any type of backdrop and side berms and/or side walls.
I am wondering if it is even legal to fire a weapon with an occupied home so close in the direct line of fire? I am fully supportive of someone local working in a firearms business and enjoying target practice but would expect them to abide by the industry’s safety standards.
Is there anything I can do? I feel I cannot even be in my yard or garage when he is firing his weapons. Luckily, my home is brick so I do feel a little safer there.
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