Nosy Neighboors ???

[rocky_creek]

I live in a somewhat rural area of Georgia on 70 acres of personal and family land. I have established firing ranges with earth and other embankments. I have lived out here for over 20 years and have never fired my mac-10 during that time. I'm about to change that. MG's are perfectly legal in Ga as long as Federal law is followed. I'm not sure what my neighbors reaction might be. I think most all of them hunt and shoot.

Have any of you ever had someone call the police thinking that you are violating the law?

 

[ferndog1]

Have any of you ever had someone call the police thinking that you are violating the law?[/QUOTE]

Yes, I have had the police arrive on several occasions...back in the 1980s it was more of a problem with people and police thinking full-autos were illegal. Today, most cops know that they are legal, but will come out if called to check paperwork.
Back in the 80's I was at a state range in PA just sighting in an AK and an M16A1, I was only shooting semi-auto. There were a group of hunters there that left after I arrived. Next thing I know a State cop comes flying into the parking lot. I laid the guns on the table as he came up. He looked at the guns and didn't know what to do next. Feeling embarassed for him I asked if he wanted to see the paper work, a look of relief came over him and his attitude changed for the better. I asked him what made him come to the range. He said that a group of hunters flagged him down and told him "A guy with machine guns was at the range". Again, this was back when semi-auto assault rifles were relatively unknown let alone machine guns. I mentioned that the hunters should have been cited for poor gun handling as several time I saw them carelessly pointing guns in all directions. The cop said yeh, they seemed like A-holes. Since that time PA changed implemented very restirctive rules on state ranges.

Shooting on private property is legal in PA, but you must be 150 yards away from houses, the local Chief told me even 150 yards from your own house so no shooting from your deck. (not sure if that's true)

 

[gandalf23]

My brother in law's family has had a 40 acre farm since the early 90s. They've shot out there for years with no problems. Then I get a Mac-10 and all of a sudden one of the neighbors calls the sheriff every time we shoot. Does not matter if we're shooting old west six shooters, or bolt actions from WWI or the Mac-10, every time we shoot now he calls the cops. And every time, so far, by the time they get around to coming out we're done shooting, have packed everything up, and are sitting on the porch drinking lemonade or tea. So far the deputies have done nothing but drive by slowly a few times, but it's annoying.

 

[timkel]

No never in over 30 years...but possible..I always had my paperwork handy in case..

 

[Ready.Fire.Aim]

My neighbors shoot more than I do. I have let them all come over and blast away until they are satisfied. Usually they bring their guns.

When I got my first full auto I let the Sheriff dispatcher know my name, call back number and location --that I would be shooting legal machine guns. She thanked me. I never called since, one day I expect a new trooper to show up curious.

You can hear a belt fed 1919 a very long ways away.

Have fun
RFA

 

[matt 3669]

my neighbors hear it all the time, its so close to a military base you can hear artillary, mini guns, 50cal. etc. i love it. very primative area. at night you can see parachute flares also. you can break out anything you want and would not raise an eyebrow.:mini-gun

 

[EL DUCE]

I was once up at the deer camp. Shooting. Then later ran into a neighbor at the post office. He asked me if I had heard all of that shooting going on. I smiled and said that it was me. From then on I was known as the "Shooting Chef." Never a problem. Rarely shoot at the camp. It is easier and closer to go to the local range.

 

[BigBoyToyz]

Normally when you buy machine guns, you buy a suppressor at the same time. They are but a fraction of the cost of the gun. For larger tripod mandatory belt fed machine guns, you submit a Form 1 and build a water cooled suppressor for it yourself.

 

[Centerline]

A co-worker lives on about 20 acres well North of Houston. Her and her husband invite a bunch of us from both their jobs for an annual 4th of July shoot and cook-out. We have several NFA items amongst us. Two years in a row, neighbors called the Sheriff. First time they arrived and saw 6-foot tables full of NFA and other "scary black guns" they were concerned, but we showed them the NFA paperwork copies - all good. 2nd year it happened again. 3rd year, we started inviting the Sheriff and Deputies both on/off duty to "check by" in advance... and they do. Now when the calls come in they're already on location (usually shooting too) and let Dispatch know to "clear the call" right from the start! A couple have started getting some NFA items too, mainly suppressors for hunting (now legal in TX) - always good to add more "stamp collectors" to the "farmily"!

 

[bac0nfat]

Check your local ordinances. In my township, firing a gun is illegal but I dug deep into the law and found a loophole. I only have 1.5 acres so all of my neighbors are within earshot. So I usually use suppressors and I try to limit the amount of time I shoot, and not shoot past 8:00pm. A little respect goes a long way. To date, I've never had an issue with anyone, and that includes full auto fire, and the occasional unsuppressed fire.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

Have been visited by local PD and Sheriff dept several times while on my private range on my sisters property. Every time her neighbors call there will be at least 2 cruisers come up the drive and several times there were 5-6 cars/suv's roll up to investigate.

 

[Samuel_Hoggson]

Years ago I would infrequently let loose w/a 16 and 11.5" behind the house. The Uzi, too. Apparently, some neighbors did bitch. But the chief of police, who signed my F4s, explained I was well within my rights. He didn't even visit the house to tell me.

That said, I haven't cut loose behind the house in recent years - except for the .22 kit, various handguns, shotguns, and the occasional CF rifle shot taken during deer season. I try to be considerate - even toward people who don't like my hobby. It's easy to drive to a range about 15 miles away, and have the peace of mind a very large backstop affords.

Sam

 

[hfoster223]

I live on a family ranch, 30 years ago the nearest neighbor was 2 miles away, now, I have 5 houses within 1/2mile away, sign of the times.

 

[rhouston8]

i have had the cops called out for my MG shooting a LOT...like just about every time I used to go shoot. In fact I started calling the sheriff beforehand with a heads up....and I rec' that to you. It goes a long way for good PD relationships. Keep laminated form 4 handy too and be nice, not a dick and you should be fine.

Several years ago...maybe 5...I took a few friends up to my bro in laws rural farm to shoot with his permission. It's 400 acres with a lake, isolated and has a large entr. gate. About 2 hrs into shooting everything from .22 to .308 SBR a helicopter flew over which my friend alerted me too. I blew it off until the chopper started circling us and the property for a long time. We quit shooting and started packing up gear bc it was getting late in the day anyway. I get a phone call from my bro in law and on a bad cell connection he tells me the sheriff is out at the front gate and was called by the "neighbors" bc WW3 broke out, etc. The helicopter came jackson, about 30 miles away and was called specifically for us apparently. Nothing became of it but those folks out there simply werent used to such and it made them nervous. Ditto for their sheriff dept as well. I havent been invited back out there to shoot.

I havent heard of anyone else having a helo called in on their shoot so it makes for a great (and true) story.

 

[rhouston8]

A co-worker lives on about 20 acres well North of Houston. Her and her husband invite a bunch of us from both their jobs for an annual 4th of July shoot and cook-out. We have several NFA items amongst us. Two years in a row, neighbors called the Sheriff. First time they arrived and saw 6-foot tables full of NFA and other "scary black guns" they were concerned, but we showed them the NFA paperwork copies - all good. 2nd year it happened again. 3rd year, we started inviting the Sheriff and Deputies both on/off duty to "check by" in advance... and they do. Now when the calls come in they're already on location (usually shooting too) and let Dispatch know to "clear the call" right from the start! A couple have started getting some NFA items too, mainly suppressors for hunting (now legal in TX) - always good to add more "stamp collectors" to the "farmily"!

^^^ Now THAT is the way to handle it. Kudos

 

[d4xycrq]

Here in rural Berks County, PA, I'm the neighbor without full auto. It's somewhat common for me to hear full auto. Several times per year. Whenever I do hear it, I smile, and wish I was shootin with 'em. Neither me or my neighbors call 911 when any shooting is heard. Enjoy!

Ray

 

[rescue161]

I used to shoot out in my back yard, but I stopped to be nice to my neighbors. I drove to a friend's house in another county and called the Sheriff's Dispatcher while enroute to let them know we were going to be shooting full auto. When I got there, a Deputy was at my friend's house. He got excited when I asked him if he wanted to shoot it. A good time was had by all that day.

 

[Stout]

I shoot full auto, and long range, on my 20 acres and have never had to deal with the local Sheriff. And quite frankly, I'm not sure I'd be as generous as some of you. They have such a bad reputation that I'd probably push back if they asked me for anything. And I certainly would not invite them to come on my property to shoot. And why kick the hornets nest by calling and telling them I'm going to be shooting? We all know we are well within our rights and the law.

My property if high fenced along the front and fully fenced with no climb and barbed wire around all of the pens. So they would have to climb the wire to get in anyway. Which would really piss me off.

 

[hfoster223]

Stout, I feel the same way, I would definitely help any officer if needed, but, I don't appreciate an officer investigating gunfire on my own property.
My reason is this, full auto is legal with the correct paperwork, so is driving an automobile, but you don't see them driving up and down the road chasing every car.
When I was younger I felt like law enforcement officers were here to protect, now I see so much over stepping its harder for me to get that warm fuzzy feeling when I interact with the law. Kinda like speeding tickets to protect the public, now its more about speed traps and meeting a quota. I got a ticket for going 60 in a 55, cost $230, one of those transistion areas from a 75 down to 40mph entering a community.

 

[rcbif]

Stout, I feel the same way, I would definitely help any officer if needed, but, I don't appreciate an officer investigating gunfire on my own property.
My reason is this, full auto is legal with the correct paperwork, so is driving an automobile, but you don't see them driving up and down the road chasing every car.
When I was younger I felt like law enforcement officers were here to protect, now I see so much over stepping its harder for me to get that warm fuzzy feeling when I interact with the law. Kinda like speeding tickets to protect the public, now its more about speed traps and meeting a quota. I got a ticket for going 60 in a 55, cost $230, one of those transistion areas from a 75 down to 40mph entering a community.

While it may be annoying, it's their job to investigate.
You would probably investigate or call the police if you heard gunshots from a neighbor's home who lives alone, and is well known for not having firearms, right?

They built a development in the swamplands behind my house. First year or two it was occupied, the police showed up when we were having a bonfire in our backyard. They said someone called thinking it was a "forest fire". Dumb development people....Anyways, I kinda am glad they did call though. We have two barns in the back with expensive machinery. If it was a real fire and we didnt know about it, I would hope someone would call the police/fire dept!