Knox Co. man wants gun laws changed

[Garufa]

Looks like shooting in Knox County is slowing starting to come under fire.

http://www.wbir.com/news/article/207923/2/Too-close-for-comfort-Knox-Co-man-wants-gun-laws-changed

[Lumber_Jack]

Good God Almighty. That is so asinine. Your grandchildren will sleep through it I'm sure. Seems to be grasping at straws because he doesn't like the noise. Now I understand, and myself out of respect for neighbors wouldn't shoot that late in the evening. But we certainly don't need acreage requirements for shooting outside city limits. At that point where would it end, before long you wouldn't be able to shoot anywhere but designated areas.

Edited February 27, 2012 by Lumber_Jack

[Guest bkelm18]

I love how they always say something like "I support the 2nd Amendment, but..."

[sigmtnman]

But... It's for the children.

[Lumber_Jack]

But... It's for the children.

exactly. The poor children, how will they survive with bullets grazing their hairline.

[Guest A10thunderbolt]

That stinks, I hope they don't do anything, I would have to quit shooting in my back yard. I do think you should be courteous of you neighbors though, such as no shooting after 7PM. But I don't see how they were shooting late as early as it gets dark right now.

[R_Bert]

I wonder if this guy has barking dogs ?

Neighbors around me shoot when they want too (and so do I). So I hear gunfire a few times a week up or down the road. The dogs however......

Every one of my neighbors and I talk well enough to request cease-fire at bedtime if needed.

Obviously these folks were set up and shooting safely...Old guy just complained about noise.

Edited February 27, 2012 by R_Bert

[LagerHead]

I wonder if he has walked over and talked to the guy about his concerns. My guess is he has not. A lot of these issues can be avoided simply by talking to your neighbors.

[peejman]

I didn't mind some folks shooting near my house... until the bullets started hitting my house. My neighbor found a .40 bullet in his driveway that had bounced off his house. The county sheriff's deputy we called said their "range" had a reasonable backstop and the shooters "had no idea how that could've happened". After a few incidents and LEO visits, it's never happened again. Though it still does make me a tad nervous when my kids are playing outside.

But as for changing the zoning laws.... good luck with that.

edit.... the shooters aren't really my "neighbors". They're a good 1/4 mile away as the crow flies and it was weeks before I finally figured out where they were shooting. Oddly, the LEO wouldn't tell me after he found them.

Edited February 27, 2012 by peejman

[Lumber_Jack]

Bullets hitting houses is a whole different story. But still that seems like an LE problem not a zoning problem. It's already illegal to shoot at someone's house, "reckless endangerment".

[Mike.357]

If i only had a half acre i would rethink shooting on it. That is not very big.

I shoot in my woods sometimes, but have a dirt pile backstop and a hill behind that. I try hard to be courteous about time of day too.

Never had cops called on me yet.

And +1to talking to your neighbors. Everything does not need to involve police.

[sigmtnman]

I didn't read that they were shooting on a half acre, but rather that the properties were separated by a half acre lot. Though I may be misinterpreting it...

[daddyo]

I love how they always say something like "I support the 2nd Amendment, but..."

Exactly - just like a lot of politicians.

I have next door neighbors who shoot on Saturdays. I don't trust them as far as I can throw them, and I don't go out in that part of my yard (I live on 3 acres), but they're not breaking any laws.

Edited February 27, 2012 by DaddyO

[R_Bert]

Exactly - just like a lot of politicians.

BTW, early voting in Anderson County ends tomorrow.

Vote Early, Vote'em Out.

[RobertNashville]

Maybe I'm missing something but just because there is no law specific to discharging a firearm in an unincorporated area; I don't think that means you can do whatever you want anytime you want on your property.

I would think that if someone is creating a disturbance (excessive noise on their property from a loud party, firearms, music, etc) and especially if doing so at appropriate times (evening/normal bedtime, etc.) I would think a deputy could do something about it, not because it's discharging a firearm but simply because the person is disturbing his neighbors.

We don't need more laws, what we need is for people to exercise a little common sense and compassion for their neighbors and their enjoyment of their property.

[daddyo]

Maybe I'm missing something but just because there is no law specific to discharging a firearm in an unincorporated area; I don't think that means you can do whatever you want anytime you want on your property.

I would think that if someone is creating a disturbance (excessive noise on their property from a loud party, firearms, music, etc) and especially if doing so at appropriate times (evening/normal bedtime, etc.) I would think a deputy could do something about it, not because it's discharging a firearm but simply because the person is disturbing his neighbors.

We don't need more laws, what we need is for people to exercise a little common sense and compassion for their neighbors and their enjoyment of their property.

From personal experience with noisy neighbors and living in a rural area outside the city limits, I can tell you that there is nothing that county law enforcement can do about it. Disturbing the peace does not apply in many situations. About the only way you can get something done about it is to work with your county commissioner, and then it depends on how much clout he/she has in getting a district attorney or a magistrate to render an opinion in your favor.

I agree with your last statement. Unfortunately, it seems that far too many people have not been taught consideration for others, but it is not generally against the law, just like stupidity.

Edited February 27, 2012 by DaddyO

[DaveTN]

We don't need more laws, what we need is for people to exercise a little common sense and compassion for their neighbors and their enjoyment of their property.

This.

And because shooters in residential areas aren’t using common sense; laws will be passed because of them.

I have an acre lot in the city and can’t shoot for obvious reasons. Sounds like their houses may be closer than my neighbors, but they think its okay because they are not in the city limits. Someone will have to explain ballistics to them; unfortunately it will come in the form of laws.

[Guest cardcutter]

I wonder if he has walked over and talked to the guy about his concerns. My guess is he has not. A lot of these issues can be avoided simply by talking to your neighbors.

exactly!!!!!

[JAB]

"I think we need to look at updating the law and make it more for an urban environment. Maybe make a distinction between a subdivision and a more rural area," says Shouse.

Piss off. If someone doesn't want to live where others have the FREEDOM to safely target shoot when they want (and I saw nothing in the linked article to indicate that the neighbors weren't shooting in a safe manner), that someone can live in the city rather than bitching and moaning and trying to create laws that impact everyone.

[raydog1]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could just walk into Bass Pro and walk out with a bag full of supressors. It would solve a lot of these noise complaints and (big shocker) not increase crime one bit. Thanks NFA

[DaveTN]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could just walk into Bass Pro and walk out with a bag full of supressors. It would solve a lot of these noise complaints and (big shocker) not increase crime one bit. Thanks NFA

Under Tennessee law you can. We just can’t find a manufacturer or an FFL holder willing to test the law.

Can’t blame them; I wouldn’t want to be the one testing this either.

[R_Bert]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could just walk into Bass Pro and walk out with a bag full of supressors. It would solve a lot of these noise complaints and (big shocker) not increase crime one bit. Thanks NFA

Under Tennessee law you can. We just can’t find a manufacturer or an FFL holder willing to test the law.

Can’t blame them; I wouldn’t want to be the one testing this either.

Kwik to the rescue ?

[gjohnsoniv]

What is Tn law on suppressors?

[DaveTN]

What is Tn law on suppressors?

Well according to the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act if they are made here and sold here the BATF has no jurisdiction and an FFL is not required.

However….. The BATF sent out a letter to all FFL’s saying that regardless of the laws Tennessee (and Montana) passed it is still a federal offense.

[Garufa]

However….. The BATF sent out a letter to all FFL’s saying that regardless of the laws Tennessee (and Montana) passed it is still a federal offense.

And there you have it. Is Tenn. willing to go up against the Feds? No.