Discharging a Firearm in a Residential Area?

[teledork]

Last night was the second time in a week that a neighbor was shooting and I am struggling to sleep because of the nightmares.

I have found a couple of "gun safety" websites that say you cannot discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a residence (that sounds about right - my late husband was an avid hunter) but I am looking for the section number/text of the code to give to the new neighbor (who just moved here from Las Vegas) if there is one.

I figured there are some hunters on this board. @Ski3pin - didn't you teach hunter safety courses?

I suspect the neighbor is shooting at the bears. I don't get it - I just yell at them (if necessary)

I appreciate any advice.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Speak with your county sheriff is the best advice I can offer.

 

[teledork]

Speak with your county sheriff is the best advice I can offer.

<<<sigh>>>>
I don't feel like going into the multiple bad experiences I have had with law enforcement in this county (as a victim - not a perp) but I do thank you anyway.

 

[ski3pin]

Last night was the second time in a week that a neighbor was shooting and I am struggling to sleep because of the nightmares.



Ski3pin - didn't you teach hunter safety courses?

Yes, we did but on the navigation and survival side. We did not deal with hunting regs, etc.

My advise is the same as Steve's above. If what the neighbor is doing is illegal or unsafe (most likely) he needs to hear the facts from a person with authority.

 

[teledork]

Yes, we did but on the navigation and survival side. We did not deal with hunting regs, etc.

My advise is the same as Steve's above. If what the neighbor is doing is illegal or unsafe (most likely) he needs to hear the facts from a person with authority.

Thank you. Perhaps my housemate can make the call. For me even thinking about trying to deal with law enforcement scares me as much (if not more) than the gunfire. The short explanation (<<<<<sigh>>>>) is that the second husband was abusive. I'll leave it at that.

 

[smlobx]

I agree with the above suggestions but will add perhaps you can contact your county/town zoning board. Things like what you are experiencing are usually regulated through zoning and will avoid law enforcement contact, at least initially.

 

[Foy]

From a full 3,000 miles East, but from within a pretty densely populated state, county, and city, I can offer the following:

• The City of Raleigh has ordinances prohibiting discharge of firearms anywhere within the city limits. This applies to pellet rifles/pistols and BB rifles/pistols as well.

• The County of Wake has ordinances prohibiting discharge of firearms from any public road, highway, or street, and within 100 yards of any public building, private dwelling, or livestock. Other County ordinances deal with safe handling and storage of firearms.

• The State of North Carolina apparently leaves discharge laws up to county and city ordinances, as a 2 minute scroll of NC statutes seems to focus on the legalities of purchase, possession, and carrying of firearms.

Perhaps some online review of local, county, and state ordinances and statutes can direct you to relevant sections and subsections of such laws, and perhaps you can engage friends or associates to further inquire (for direct confirmation of what the Intertubes told you) directly with local LEO in order to remain anonymous.

Hope this can settle down for you.

Foy

 

[teledork]

Perhaps some online review of local, county, and state ordinances and statutes can direct you to relevant sections and subsections of such laws, and perhaps you can engage friends or associates to further inquire (for direct confirmation of what the Intertubes told you) directly with local LEO in order to remain anonymous.

Hope this can settle down for you.

Foy

Thank you, Foy. State Fish and Game Code. I was able to find the section by looking at county code which sent me to the state code. The 150 yards is now confirmed. Somewhat absurdly the only land that is designated "No shooting" by the county in this valley is the dump. I guess they are concerned about people going out there to jacklight rats at night. /s

So I have printed up the code as well as a couple of sheets on Living in Bear Country. My housemate previously had a conversation with the neighbor (he was standing on his driveway yelling "hey, hello") so she is going to say we heard gunfire and wanted to know if "everything is okay" before handing him the information.

There have been vultures circling all afternoon. I don't think the caliber was enough to kill a bear but I don't know. It is a mamma and a cub.

 

[pvstoy]

Well if it is a game animal then fish and wildlife can step in - IF - there is evidence as to why you have vultures.

Having bad neighbors that you have to live in the same area is tough. By walking a tight rope and being nice and friendly on the outside helps situations later if situations arise. As they drive by give a wave, but if they stop and want to chat make it brief and short. In the future if you have a issue to resolve they may not be on the defense and tell you off. I'm sure you can get a read on the persons body language and actions in real time and choose words at the right time to work things out. But then again as you have experienced first hand that people can be real A Holes..

 

[teledork]

Well if it is a game animal then fish and wildlife can step in - IF - there is evidence as to why you have vultures.

Having bad neighbors that you have to live in the same area is tough. By walking a tight rope and being nice and friendly on the outside helps situations later if situations arise. As they drive by give a wave, but if they stop and want to chat make it brief and short. In the future if you have a issue to resolve they may not be on the defense and tell you off. I'm sure you can get a read on the persons body language and actions in real time and choose words at the right time to work things out. But then again as you have experienced first hand that people can be real A Holes..

That piece of property has a history. The most recent owner was a woman living with her boyfriend - until he was only allowed there with LEO escort. Prior to that was a couple with four dogs who terrorized the neighborhood in general. I was trapped in my truck by two snarling pit-bulls one day. I called animal control for a year and half to no avail. The owner of the dogs came after me with a garden hose when I tried to talk to him and then called 911 and said I threatened to bomb his house and wanted me arrested. When the officer asked what he intended to do with the hose he said he was going to tie me up; "a citizens arrest" - the officer told him; "no, sir that would be called assault".

Before I moved here there was an incident locally referred to as the cat s**t murder. A heavy drinking couple, an argument, one threw a handful of cat s**t, the other pulled out a handgun.

I would move if there were somewhere else I could afford to buy. I have seriously been looking at Carson City but it is beyond my financial status.

 

[pvstoy]

You have have most certainly paid your dues for bad neighbors and people! If I could wave a wand and move you to have some peace I would. Life is way too short to put up with all that crap. People were not paying attention in kindergarten to learn basic skills for life.

 

[ski3pin]

You have have most certainly paid your dues for bad neighbors and people! If I could wave a wand and move you to have some peace I would. Life is way too short to put up with all that crap. People were not paying attention in kindergarten to learn basic skills for life.

Well said, and so true. We've become cautious about approaching anyone these days.

teledork, our best to you and good luck with this issue. Hang in there as best you can. Wish I could send in the Marines.

 

[teledork]

Thank you, pvstoy and ski3pin. Your kind words do make a difference.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

CDFW will come out if there is evidence of illegally shooting a bear. They’ll speak with you first and then assess their next move. They can also handle illegal discharge of a firearm.