Jim Ehnborn wrote the following letter and asked for it to be published on the blog:
DO WE CONSIDER A BB GUN A FIREARM IN GRAND FIRS?
Several children in Grand Firs decided to have target practice with BB guns on Saturday evening, Sept. 11, 2010. They destroyed two real estate signs on 85th. It is at least the fourth time real estate signs have been destroyed. Several neighbors know who destroyed the signs.
Section 10.31 of our CCR’s is very clear: “NO FIREARMS OR FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND SHALL BE DISCHARGED WITHIN THE PLOT. “
Do we consider a BB gun a firearm in Grand Firs? What is your opinion?
New Jersey and a couple of other states consider BB guns a weapon and require them to be registered. Several cities prohibit them from being discharged within the city limits. BB guns are considered a weapon to kill small game. There are many excellent articles on the internet.
Louise and I are not opposed to people owning firearms including BB guns. I used to shoot at targets with a BB gun when I was growing up in Chicago. Hard to believe, but we had empty fields at the end of our block. I qualified as a "Marksman" with my rifle in the Marine Corps. Louise and her girls grew up owning guns. Louise used to belong to a trap shooting club. Her girls still own guns. We had a good time trap shooting last year on her daughter’s ranch.
It is a different situation today in a close community without open spaces. There is too much danger here to fire guns of any type.
Paul Bunyon Rifle and Sportsman’s Club is just up the street from us at 176th and Meridian. The dues are $50 per year and they offer junior shooting program for ages 11 to 20 years old. It is the largest privately owned shooting club in the Pacific Northwest. See their website http://pbrsc.org for more information.
Louise and I believe that Grand Firs must classify BB guns as a firearm in the CCR’s and prohibit their discharge inside the community. We have a zero tolerance on this issue and we will file charges with the Sheriff for anyone discharging a firearm in our community. We believe that the names of the children should be published on the web and in the local papers.
Also, Grand Fir kids stole lumber from a building site on Sunday eve, August 29th. A neighbor caught the kids and notified the Sheriff. That week, someone used bright orange paint to write in large letters “Fu_ _ U” on the mailbox by the park in Phase 3.
Maybe it is time to implement the “Neighborhood Watch program” that a representative from the Pierce County Sheriff explained to us during our meeting on March 10th. They are willing to help us organize it, but we must take the first step. The ball is in our park.
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10 comments:
I do not feel that a BB gun should be classified as a firearm but I am willing to have it classified as such for the betterment of the community. I didn't like the firearm rule to begin with and would love to see one change to it. I would love to have permission to discharge my firearm in the defense of my property, life or my family's life without any repercussion from the HOA.
I'm thinking there would be no repercussion from our HOA if a person has a "true" need to discharge a firearm. There is NO need for this sort of activity on a daily basis. No one just stands out front of their home & shoots their gun for the fun of it. This is what the CCR's protect us from. I work in surgery & I see far too many kids coming in with injuries from shooting accidents. I agree with Jim & think we are just waiting for an accident to happen.
Why do people make comments that they can't admit to? Why remain anonymous?
I agree with the last comment. If we have to make bb guns illegal to discharge in the community to make it safer, then so be it. Adding the additional clause that we have permission to discharge our own registered firearm in the defense of our life or the life of another without any repercussion from the HOA is a good idea, although I can assure you, there is no one in this community that would choose not to use their firearms in order to protect their own safety or the safety of another simply because the CCR's don't state it is authorized. I don't agree we should include a clause be able to justify use of our firearms simply to protect our property though. Just my opinion.
Parents need to be responsible for their kids. Creating "RULES" that will not be followed is a ridiculous waste of time and energy. I will fire a fire arm if in danger and there will be no repercussion, it is my civil right and no HOA can take precedence over that.
I was a little curious why someone would think the HOA would go after them for protecting themselves. The HOA is more concerned about issues such as trailers in driveways, garbage cans left out, etc. If someone were to discharge a firearm in self-defense, it would be up to the police and courts to determine if the shots were justified, not the HOA.
Dear Anonymous,
You have the right under the US Second Amendment to discharge your firearm in the defense of your property, life or your family's life without any repercussion from the HOA, Pierce County or Washington State. The US Supreme Court has been very clear on this issue.
I agree with Mandy and Jim. In a perfect world I agree with anonymous. It is a parent's responsibility to watch over their child's activities and have consequences for a child's misbehavior within the community that they live..and I thank all the diligent parent's that do this!! Unfortunately, not all parents are aware of what their children are doing and if they are, refuse to hold their child accountable. If this becomes the case then it is up to the community to protect itself and the only way to do this is by "rules". Rules and consequences for breaking them are the only way to teach accountability. Part of the reason that we as a society are in the mess that we are in today..these principles seem to be dying ones!
This is a p.s. to my last post. FYI: Destroying property is vandalism. Shooting at another person is assault or reckless endangerment..depending on the intent. These are reportable offenses to the Sheriff's Dept. and parents can be held civilly liable.
BB guns are not firearms. They use spring or air pressure and no powder charge, therefore, are not firearms under state law. The bigger issue is WATCH YOUR DAMN KIDS! The majority of the turd kids are gone and it has been a much better place but stuff is still getting broken and I am tired of the friggin blue, green, white, yellow, etc airsoft pellets in my yard and driveway all the time. Hey anonymous, if you are planning on protecting your home with a BB gun, you are a douche. Our HOA cannot restrict gun rights and we won't. But if you are in front of a house shooting at signs with no safe backdrop, we will have an issue.
I cant help but wonder if these same kids broke into my car..in my Driveway! Yes, all doors were locked. I didnt know we had such people living in this nice community. I am sad and dissapointed.
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