• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

St Pete man builds gun range in yard, neighbors outraged

Somerville

Somerville

DP Veteran
Joined
Apr 29, 2012
Messages
17,858
Reaction score
8,338
Location
On an island. Not that one!
Gender
Undisclosed
Political Leaning
Socialist
This is the result of the constant ranting and political power of the NRA. St Petersburg FL has no law, regulation or ordinance that would stop this person, or any other person, from building a shooting range on their property, no matter how close it is to another person's residence.

St Pete man builds gun range in yard, neighbors outraged

ST PETERSBURG, FL (WFLA) -
The Lakewood Estates neighborhood is filled with families and children. On any given day, you'll see kids climbing trees and playing on swing sets. That's why news of a residential gun range did not sit well with neighbors.

“I don't know if this idiot is going to start popping off rounds,” said Patrick Leary. “I'm furious.”

Moms and dads are extremely upset after their 21-year-old neighbor, Joseph Carannate, told them he built a homemade gun range.

“I don't want to hurt myself or any neighbors. I don't want to hurt anybody. I just want to use this as my enjoyment,” Carannate told News Channel 8. “I don't want to have to go to a gun range, when I can just go outside my door.”
Click to expand...

Here's the fun part
According to St. Petersburg Police, legally he's allowed to do it. ... police admit they've been to Carannate's home and that he is obeying the law. They tell us they will “monitor the situation closely.”
Click to expand...

More on the story can be read at The Sun-Sentinel website
Florida law allows people to build and maintain shooting ranges in their backyards. And unless an owner becomes negligent or reckless, there's nothing a neighbor can do.

For example:

* There's no restriction on the type of firearms or ammunition that can be used in a backyard shooting range.

* There's no restriction on the time of day or night your neighbors can use their gun range.

* And there's no restriction on gun ranges near a public school, day-care center or neighborhood playground. Talk about the need for duck-and-cover lessons.
Click to expand...

Influence of the NRA is noted
The law allowing home gun ranges has been on the books for 27 years. However, as local governments began passing ordinances that banned them, the National Rifle Association convinced state lawmakers in 2011 to fight back. Now, local leaders who create restrictive ordinances face fines of $5,000 per offense. They can even be removed from office and forced to pay their own legal fees if sued over a gun ordinance.
<snip>
"The Florida Attorney General has confirmed cities are powerless to protect residents from firearm target shooting in dense urban residential neighborhoods,
Click to expand...
 
So the cops looked at it, and the shooting range is safe... what's the problem?
 
Out of courtesy, whenever I shoot in my backyard I try to use either sub-sonic rounds or wait until the neighbors aren't home.
 
SlevinKelevra said:
Where did TFA say that?
Click to expand...

I assume from the OP that this quote----"...police admit they've been to Carannate's home and that he is obeying the law." means that Police inspected the property, and the range on it, not only for specific regulation concerning the safety issue of shooting, but the safety of surrounding homes, and neighbors....

So, are you implying that Police didn't do their job when they investigated?
 
j-mac said:
I assume from the OP that this quote----"...police admit they've been to Carannate's home and that he is obeying the law." means that Police inspected the property, and the range on it, not only for specific regulation concerning the safety issue of shooting, but the safety of surrounding homes, and neighbors....

So, are you implying that Police didn't do their job when they investigated?
Click to expand...


No, I'm saying that something can be in compliance with the law {legal} AND NOT BE SAFE because the law doesn't require safe conditions.
 
j-mac said:
I assume from the OP that this quote----"...police admit they've been to Carannate's home and that he is obeying the law." means that Police inspected the property, and the range on it, not only for specific regulation concerning the safety issue of shooting, but the safety of surrounding homes, and neighbors....

So, are you implying that Police didn't do their job when they investigated?
Click to expand...

Evidently you didn't read the following from the OP

"The Florida Attorney General has confirmed cities are powerless to protect residents from firearm target shooting in dense urban residential neighborhoods,
 
from the Collier County Sheriff's web site

In the case of C.C. v. State of Florida, the Fourth District Court of Appeal addressed this:

Appellant was arrested after discharging a revolver into the ground in his friend's fenced backyard. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor and discharging a firearm in a public place. We reverse the conviction for discharging a firearm in a public place, as it is clear that the backyard of one's home does not constitute a public place within the meaning of section 790.15(1), Florida Statutes
Click to expand...
 
Somerville said:
Evidently you didn't read the following from the OP

"The Florida Attorney General has confirmed cities are powerless to protect residents from firearm target shooting in dense urban residential neighborhoods,
Click to expand...

Oh I read it, and for the record, I don't think that shooting in your backyard at a 3ft high berm is the smartest thing to be doing....But, if you are in disagreement of the law, then work to change the law....
 
Classic. The law has been in place for 27 years. BUT...since the NRA was involved in some sort of lobbying efforts 4 years ago, its the NRAs fault.

Could it be that in fact it IS legal, safe, and OK and no one has gotten hurt?
 
CRUE CAB said:
Guy did it in the Keys as well.
Click to expand...

Hemingway approves.
large_papa.jpg
 
Funny how when a law is passed people don't like, it's because of the lobbying efforts of the NRA, but when a law is passed that you love, they completely ignore the lobbying efforts of big corporations that got those laws passed. Yay for selective outrage!
 
j-mac said:
Oh I read it, and for the record, I don't think that shooting in your backyard at a 3ft high berm is the smartest thing to be doing....But, if you are
in disagreement of the law, then work to change the law....
Click to expand...



But, but...

"they won't let us...."


"The NRA is too strong.."

Just have Obama use his phone and his pen....
 
LagerHead said:
Funny how when a law is passed people don't like, it's because of the lobbying efforts of the NRA, but when a law is passed that you love, they completely ignore the lobbying efforts of big corporations that got those laws passed. Yay for selective outrage!
Click to expand...

I have yet to see the left go ape**** like this when the NEA wins one and children's education slide another notch.
 
Somerville said:
This is the result of the constant ranting and political power of the NRA. St Petersburg FL has no law, regulation or ordinance that would stop this person, or any other person, from building a shooting range on their property, no matter how close it is to another person's residence.



Here's the fun part


More on the story can be read at The Sun-Sentinel website

Influence of the NRA is noted
Click to expand...

Leave it up to the state of FL.
 
How odd. I thought most communities had laws regarding when you could make noise, like 7 am to 9 pm, for example.

It's hard to visualize how his 'gun range' could be safe in such close quarters to other residences, etc but they didnt say how large his property is.
 
Fearandloathing said:
But, but...

"they won't let us...."


"The NRA is too strong.."

Just have Obama use his phone and his pen....
Click to expand...

Yeah, I hear ya....heh, heh....This to me seems like a local thing for the residents to be raising hell about, not a national level problem....However, If I were this guy's neighbor, depending on what's behind that berm he is shooting at, and proximity of the other houses, I know that he and I would be having a serious talk about safety....
 
Lursa said:
How odd. I thought most communities had laws regarding when you could make noise, like 7 am to 9 pm, for example.

It's hard to visualize how his 'gun range' could be safe in such close quarters to other residences, etc but they didnt say how large his property is.
Click to expand...

True, and they didn't show, or say what is behind that small pile of sand he is shooting at either....
 
SlevinKelevra said:
Key word... can.

What from tfa proves he has?
Click to expand...

You asked this same question earlier in the thread SK, and everyone that you have asked it to has answered you with the same answer that you seemingly ignore only to ask it again later....What is it that you are looking for? The cops were there, and they said that everything was in order with the law and left...So let me throw it back at ya....What from TFA proves he hasn't?
 
VanceMack said:
Classic. The law has been in place for 27 years. BUT...since the NRA was involved in some sort of lobbying efforts 4 years ago, its the NRAs fault.

Could it be that in fact it IS legal, safe, and OK and no one has gotten hurt?
Click to expand...

Read. Lawmakers are now subject to penalty, thanks to NRA meddling, if they try to restrict something as blatantly irresponsible as this.
 
Kobie said:
Read. Lawmakers are now subject to penalty, thanks to NRA meddling, if they try to restrict something as blatantly irresponsible as this.
Click to expand...
Read. Law was created 27 years ago. According to an obviously biased blog article the NRA did 'something' that caused lawmakers in 2011 to be limited in their ability to change the laW. What, pray tell, was that, and how does it prevent lawmakers from passing legislation? Or are you satisfied with "well...I read a line in a blog post that said it was all the NRAs fault..."?
 
VanceMack said:
Read. Law was created 27 years ago. According to an obviously biased blog article the NRA did 'something' that caused lawmakers in 2011 to be limited in their ability to change the laW. What, pray tell, was that, and how does it prevent lawmakers from passing legislation? Or are you satisfied with "well...I read a line in a blog post that said it was all the NRAs fault..."?
Click to expand...

Ahh yes... the lefts favorite 2A boogey-man that evil NRA is at the core of this. I KNEW it!!! ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom