Alphecca: Gun Ordinance Dies in VT Town

October 17, 2004

Gun Ordinance Dies in VT Town

Vermonters take their liberal (in the classic sense of the word) gun rights seriously. From the Bennington Banner:

POWNAL -- The town dodged a serious political bullet Thursday after a resident withdrew his petition calling for a local gun discharge ordinance.

A cadre of about 10 firearms enthusiasts showed up at the select board's weekly meeting Thursday night to voice their opinions on the proposed ordinance. The board had planned on appointing a committee to discuss the ordinance that night.

That committee was quashed after Gary James, a five-year resident of the town, withdrew his 40-signature petition. James began the petition because a neighbor had been shooting in his backyard, leaving him worried for the safety of his family.

"People have been shooting in Pownal ever since Pownal was Pownal," said Larry Wood, a resident who claimed the petition had been circulated under false pretenses.

"That's why we moved to rural places like this," added Frank King, "so we can go out in our backyards and shoot, as long as it's safe."

To many of the gun owners who attended, something they consider a pastime and lifelong passion was at stake.

"People go out and play golf. That's not our game, you know? We like to shoot," King said...

...But James was not that easily convinced, saying that accidents happen even when safety precautions are taken.

"It has been known to happen," he said. "There have been ricochets. People have been shot."

The problem, he said, was not the noise of guns firing, although he was skeptical of how often they needed to be fired.

"If they're targeting their rifles, that should consist of how many rounds? Sixteen? Twenty?" he said.

James' petition was given to the town planning board, which devised a draft ordinance. That ordinance would have banned shooting within 500 feet of a residence or other structure, as well as shooting that would have a bullet pass within that distance from a structure. Residents would still be able to shoot that near to their own homes.

There are fish & game laws that prohibit hunting within certain distances to a residence but none for target shooting, although some towns have their own ordinances. In my town, we actually have a plinking spot right next to the chief of police's house -- with HIS support!

By the way, the original plaintiff is wrong about how many shots it could take to "target" a rifle since it could take a lot when you first buy one and try out different ammo, distances, a new sight, and much more. Actual target shooting? Heck, I can go through boxes and boxes of ammo...

Anyway, I'm glad common sense came to Pownal.

Posted by Jeff Soyer at October 17, 2004 09:56 AM

Comments

It sounds to me like some urban dwellers came to Pownal and were shocked to discover there was a rural lifestyle going on, and that gun control means learning to shoot straight.

Posted by: The Peoria Pundit at October 17, 2004 05:40 PM

This is great - and so like the Vermont I know and love (though Bennington is nearly as left wing looney liberal as its northern sister - Burlington and eastern brother Bennington)

That committee was quashed after Gary James, a five-year resident of the town, Uuuh, that would mean . . . flatlander. Dam Massholes, trying to ruin everyone good time.

James offered to redo the petition correctly and submit a new one to the board.

"But I'll guarantee you," Wood told the board, "I'll get one with more signatures on it, telling you to ignore his." What he really wanted to continue with was - "and then we'll turn off your electric - in midwinter - Damn Flatlander. Go back south, you Masshoele!"

But that wouldn't be entirely neighborly.

It was also suggested that James take a hunting course offered in the town so he could learn more about safety and gun concerns.

What the council actually wanted to say: "Don't bother us with your dumb, irrational, liberal lunatic flatlander fears, stupid masshole until you know what your talking about. Go back south. We don't want you here. Damn Masshole"

He had told a story earlier in the night about a state trooper who once dropped by to see that he was shooting legally in his backyard, which he said he was.

"If I remember right," he said, "the trooper asked me if he could try the gun."

Yep. Sounds like Vermont. Sometimes I wish I could return, then I have to deal with the Bernie Sanders of the world. Or the faculty from Vermont Law.

Posted by: Countertop at October 17, 2004 08:53 PM

Yup to both of you. It is the usual syndrome of the city mice trying to tell the country mice how to live... (as a friend often tells me).

Posted by: Jeff Soyer at October 18, 2004 08:13 AM

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October 17, 2004

Gun Ordinance Dies in VT Town

By Golly, you're reading an archived post. Click Here to head to the main page and read current stuff...

Check it out:

My group sci-fi blog novel:

Colony: Alchibah