Any support for target shooting on public land?

[Guest mosinon]

I like to shoot and the ranges are really great but I'd like more shooting options.

From what I can tell it isn't legal to shoot on public land. That is something I am thinking of hitting up my state senator about because, in general, I think Public land=most uses possible.

So I'd like to see Tennessee public land opened up for target shooting, I think.

There might be good reasons why I can't go plink on public land, it may annoy hunters or something. So before I start hitting up the elected ones to change the law I thought I'd ask here.

I'd like to hear any arguments pro or con.

Thanks,

your friendly recreational shooter

[jess01999]

I like to shoot and the ranges are really great but I'd like more shooting options.

From what I can tell it isn't legal to shoot on public land. That is something I am thinking of hitting up my state senator about because, in general, I think Public land=most uses possible.

So I'd like to see Tennessee public land opened up for target shooting, I think.

There might be good reasons why I can't go plink on public land, it may annoy hunters or something. So before I start hitting up the elected ones to change the law I thought I'd ask here.

I'd like to hear any arguments pro or con.

Thanks,

your friendly recreational shooter

I totally agree! I called my local TWRA last week and asked the exact same question. He told me that there was no public land to shoot on around me here in Blount County. The funny thing is that there is plenty TVA property and Goverment land around here. He told me to go to Gunny's indoor range or an outdoor range in Knoxville. I don't get it.........we should be allowed on public land but I must add we should respect all hunters and work around them during season. I have to go to my relatives house 45-55 minutes away to get a 100 yard shot. I am sure you will have many Pro responders.

[Motasyco]

We are the public. We should get to make the rules for the use of "our" land. I would expect that most people that would not support target shooting on our public land are people that wouldn't venture into the woods anyway. But it is their land too. I agree that your state legislators are the place to start. We need to wield the power of the vote.

[jess01999]

I totally agree! I called my local TWRA last week and asked the exact same question. He told me that there was no public land to shoot on around me here in Blount County. The funny thing is that there is plenty TVA property and Goverment land around here. He told me to go to Gunny's indoor range or an outdoor range in Knoxville. I don't get it.........we should be allowed on public land but I must add we should respect all hunters and work around them during season. I have to go to my relatives house 45-55 minutes away to get a 100 yard shot. I am sure you will have many Pro responders.

I want to clarify.........I have hunted TVA property. I did not mean to make it sound like that it is public land.............but they do allow hunting...so why not target shooting??

[greenego]

I think it would be great if there were more public shooting areas. However I don't think you would ever get the non-shooting public to go along with this. Also you would get the anti gun groups going against this. Think about all the fuss over carry in parks.

[Guest FroggyOne2]

Since your in Knoxville.. you should consider joining the Oak Ridge Sportsmans Assoc.

Oak Ridge High Power Rifle ORSA

[DaveTN]

You just watched almost every city and county government in state rush to see how fast they could opt out of Public Park carry; and now you think those same people will allow public land to turn into a free fire zone?

I don’t see it happening simply because of the liability issues. But give it a try; can't hurt.

[jimic]

TWRA likes to use our money to purchase the land and then figure out how to keep us from using it...........

[Guest H0TSH0T]

I think it would be great if there were more public shooting areas. However I don't think you would ever get the non-shooting public to go along with this. Also you would get the anti gun groups going against this. Think about all the fuss over carry in parks.

why not kill two birds with one stone, why not in some of our larger parks see if we can get a gun range there, this way the recreation side of it may bring in more support, and also " keep people safe," they can make this indoor or outdoor, create private booths, and security monitors with off duty police or certified range masters keeping an eye on things during hours of operation, and have a city outreach program to the armed citizens that enjoy to shoot, firearms in a safe, family environment, after all our tax dollars paid for our parks also and we should be able to enjoy them just like all the other citizens of our communities.

[Worriedman]

You just watched almost every city and county government in state rush to see how fast they could opt out of Public Park carry; and now you think those same people will allow public land to turn into a free fire zone?

I don’t see it happening simply because of the liability issues. But give it a try; can't hurt.

According to Tnhometownlocator.com there are 95 counties and 343 incorporated cities in Tennessee,that is 438 entities combined. As 70 have chosen to limit their citizens Rights to bear arms in parks, that leaves 368 that have not voted to opt out,or not voted at all, basically 16% have "opted out".

Personally, I think that allowing target shooting on public land is a bad idea. First rule of firearms use is to know what is beyond your target. Seeking permission to build properly constructed and safe firing ranges would be one thing, but to allow indiscriminate set up of a target ranges would not be in all our best interest.