Gun owners, and gun shooters. Neighborly question....

[riderinthestorm]

My neighbor has been shooting his guns for at least the past 5 hours. I'm guessing he has friends over now who are going at it since it's been a steady stream of gunfire (approximately every 5 - 10 seconds, with some outbursts sounding like a machine gun artillery).

I'm rural. About 1/4 mile away but the noise is like it's just in my yard. My dogs are nuts. My one older dog has been in the shower in her safe zone for hours. I don't have any tranq for her since I never expected this (unlike July 4 when I take precautions). The horses also aren't taking this very well. They are a major part of our business and the extended shooting is beginning to get on all nerves.

This guy flies a Gadsden flag prominently on a flagpole in his yard and not once in 15 years has he socialized - completely unresponsive even to neighborhood "block-type" party invites. It's Saturday at 7:15 so it's not too late yet, but what the hell? When and how do I go over there and ask him to shut the fuck up?

He's also got to be the fucker shooting at 5:30 am as well on random mornings. In 15 years I've never complained but I've never had him do this before. How much longer do I let this go on before I go over there?

Do I go over there at all tonight? Could he just be cranky and shooting like a fiend for 5+ hours?

FWIW, I'm not anti-gun, I've just had enough today with this.

[RandomThoughts]

1. Were the parties BYOB

That might be an issue for some.

:)

[csziggy]

2. I don't handle this kind of confrontation well so I call the cops

Call their emergency number and ask about noise ordinances, home shooting ranges, etc. Around here, they will at least stop by and talk to the neighbor which can get them to tone things down, unless they have not spare deputies.

That said, I have allowed some friends to use my lower fields for shooting. The neighbor on one side won't care since he has his own shooting range. The one above him, well, we called the cops on them when some of their shot hit the roof on the barn and nearly caused one of our clients to lose an eye. The ones on the other side, I don't care what they think - I've had to call the cops a lot of times over the years, so and they still set off fireworks over our fields and let their dogs run loose.

Our horses have now gotten pretty used to gunfire. The only time they have gotten upset recently was when one of the guys brought out an assault weapon to range it. Now, that one was too loud, so they have been asked to not bring it back.

[bluesbassman]

3. First of all, under no circumstances do YOU go over there now.

Somebody shooting firearms that consistently for 5+ hours does not sound like somebody that is going to listen to rational conversation.

If you're that far out that noise ordinances don't apply, you need to ride it out and speak to this person on a weekday when the odds of him being sober and rational are more in your favor.

My 2 cents, and sorry you're having to deal with this.

[femmocrat]

4. I just don't get it either.

We moved out to the country for the "peace and quiet"--- what a joke. We live about a half-mile from a gun club, but the sound echoes around these hills. We have neighbors who are teaching a 5-year old how to shoot. The other ones just shoot at random whenever some varmint crosses their property, I guess.

One of my dogs really freaks; she also hides in the shower! One thing does help, but it was expensive. We got replacement windows on the whole house and they keep out a lot of the noise. With the AC running, I can block out most outdoor noise, but the dogs still hear it of course.

You have my sympathies. I know how maddening it is, but I would not confront him. He doesn't sound like a reasonable person.

[riderinthestorm]

5. Sheez, 7:45. Still at it. I think I'm going to wait another 1.5 hours until dark

when it will (hopefully) have to quit. All of my clients/boarders have gone for the night anyway now. It was pretty impossible for them to get anything done with a lot of their horses spooking.

Maybe I'll try to go over there in the morning... I really am afraid there's alcohol involved since it's been a virtual gun party over there for hours and I'm worried about going there tonight. Maybe if it continues after dark I call the sheriff?

I've never called the sheriff before on anyone, ever. Sigh.

[Kali]

6. call and ask the Sheriff what the procedure is

explain you don't want trouble and normally a little gunfire is not a problem but this has been going on all day and you want to know if they can help and/or what your options are (let your hesitation to walk into a drunken gunfire situation "show" but emphasize you aren't calling on a whim)

If they say they will check on it tell them you are a little worried about retaliation and would prefer to have your name/identity kept out of the conversation.

[riderinthestorm]

7. 8:45 and its stopped.

Getting pretty dim here so I'm not surprised. I'll call the sheriff in the morning to find out what I do the next time it happens (if it happens). One of the things to consider if you're rural, you just don't know your neighbors like you might in a more tightly spaced community. I wish I'd "known" this family better but obviously they like their anonymity. We've hosted an annual "street party" (heh, 3 miles of street and 8 families) for years and they've been the only no-shows, which is fine but I really don't "know" them at all.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Peace out.

[MilesColtrane]

8. Go over with a six pack and a Glock.

Thereafter you'll be buds, and able to talk these things through.

[riderinthestorm]

9. Bwah! I just opened this and saw your response and had a laugh.

Thanks for that!

I definitely had the six pack on hand but the only firearm I have is an inherited .22 rifle that I've never shot a day in my life. We tried to shoot a raccoon with it and discovered it's not even powerful enough for that! I suspect walking over there "armed" with my antique rifle may have met with some well, either laughter or something with a higher caliber.

Or maybe the beer would have smoothed everything over?!

Anyway, no shooting today.