St Pete man builds gun range in yard, neighbors outraged - WFLA News Channel 8 Backyard gun range concerns St. Pete neighbors Chickening out: St. Pete man trades backyard shooting gallery for gun-range membership | Tampa Bay Times " But in less than a week, his plans to build a backyard gun range out of sand and pallets behind his father's house in Lakewood Estates earned him a couple turns on the wheel of the 24-hour news cycle. Not to mention the ire of his neighbors and stern warnings from police and Mayor Rick Kriseman. "I've gotten death threats out of this. People threatening to 'SWAT' my house, blowing it up with a bazooka," said Carannante, 21. "It's been kind of scary. Sleeping with one eye open." So when WHPT-FM 102.5 The Bone's Mike Calta called Carannante with an offer Wednesday morning to dismantle his range in exchange for a year's membership in a Tampa gun range, he accepted. "I can sleep well tonight. Haven't slept well in about four days," said Carannante, who works for UPS loading packages. But he's not closing the door on backyard plunking forever. "I believe I've made the right and safe decision — for now. We'll see where it goes from there," Carannante said. At issue is a vague state law that allows backyard ranges as long as they're not used in a reckless or negligent way. The city planned to prosecute Carannante if he fired a shot, arguing that discharging a firearm in a densely populated residential neighborhood was the definition of recklessness. "
I guess if I lived behind them I'd have been worried, at least until I set up my own with their house down range.
I'd say the people reacting to it should be put under the legal microscope- alleged threats and assault. Saying they have a bazooka, is clearly an NFA device. Did they pay the fun tax on it? The next point is that one of his neighbors is on the city council. The city wasn't going to bother him before, but finally found a way to intimidate him by pushing a noise ordinance. Maybe he should invest in a suppressor, that way they couldn't complain, or when they tried to, have recordings of the neighbor's son's ricer (with a 5000 watt subwoofer and fart tube exhaust) that is far louder and annoying than suppressed shots from the backyard. Without seeing the setup from the air, I'll reserve judgement about how it is safe or if it is dangerous. If he doesn't have anyone behind the backstop, or a really thick patch of woods, then I'd say go for it. If he does, then I can understand the neighbor's concerns, as getting shot at would be alarming to say the least. I'd like to believe that he has more common sense than to build a small range with people or buildings behind it, but I'm getting more and more disappointed every day by my fellow man.
This looks to be but another "fishing trip" by MG about the US. I can say that the area in St Pete is pretty flat as well s heavily populated, not a safe place for a gun range built by a homeowner. In my US and state I can build a gun range and shoot up to a major caliber rifle. Amount of land and of course ability to cover the liabilities are called out in some good laws that let all know their rights and the rights of others when using a fire arm and a shooting range. I see nothing wrong with deliberate laws and rules for living in urban or rural environment. OTOH, no fire arms are to be discharged, unless for self protection, in my nearest town, that too is OK by me. Now fishing to stir the pot, well I think there are Forum Rules for that. HK
Not to sound rude, but how many Canucks are building backyard ranges in their neighborhoods? Probably not nearly as many as the US given the stringent gun laws north of the US border.
I think you missed my point.... In fact I think you all missed my point. This is SO INCREDIBLY STUPID AND DANGEROUS that the gov is gonna use it as an excuse to further restrict your right to bare arms.
Probably none at all except a very rare farmer with 100+ acres. Certainly none in any town limits. We trap shoot on crown land, at the gravel pit or over the lake where it's safe.
Friggin Canuks !! I have been to a few up here that are so-so . Around here I shoot bird & rat shot from pistols ,range of damage is 40' max and the next farm is miles away. I wouldn't shoot any single projectiles till out in the backwoods . Some around here have shot large calibers late evenings .. don't know if there pit lamping deer . I have heard the road hit deer bleating in the woods , dog & I hunt it down & let it move home quicker & less painful , then I have loaded single projectile. 22lr . Shooting in a City backyard is just stupid , can you imagine the feeling if you hit a neighbours kid , just by a fluke. No
