Forest Service Trying to Ban All Front Range Shooting

[.455_Hunter]

I knew this was coming...

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/state-news/forest-service-floats-recreational-shooting-limits_19885449_

Citing increased danger in a heavily populated region, the U.S. Forest Service is floating a plan to restrict recreational shooting to designated areas in a 625-square-mile swath of land that covers most of Colorado's Front Range foothills and Interstate 70 corridor.

How do we fight this boys?

[merl]

Until it is up for public comment there is nothing that can be done. This is going to be decided by unelected bureaucrats that answer to other appointed bureaucrats in DC so don't hold your breath for a positive outcome.

[mtnrider]

Yeah, I figured something was up. I had a visit from the Forest Service officers last week while shooting up off My Herman rd. Looks like they are cracking down on folks

[MED]

This angers me so much that I don't know what to say so....


[pileoshit][pileoshit][pileoshit][pileoshit]OBAMA[pileoshit][pileoshit][pileoshit][pileoshit] I HATE THAT FUCKING BASTARD!!!!

[ZERO THEORY]

Yeah, I figured something was up. I had a visit from the Forest Service officers last week while shooting up off My Herman rd. Looks like they are cracking down on folks

Funny you should mention that. They stopped by last time I was up at 315 and chatted about making sure we were using a safe backdrop, proper targets, not across bodies of water, etc. Didn't seem like a shakedown, but nonetheless.

[Great-Kazoo]

How about the actual title of the story. YES, they want to restrict shooting, NO they don't want to ban it. The arm wrestling now is where, and how many public ranges they should do.
Forest Service floats recreational shooting limits

[merl]

the limits being only in designated ranges.

[mtnrider]

Funny you should mention that. They stopped by last time I was up at 315 and chatted about making sure we were using a safe backdrop, proper targets, not across bodies of water, etc. Didn't seem like a shakedown, but nonetheless.

Yeah, they actually gave me a written warning about not having a proper backstop. I was shooting steel and targets on my stand and not trees or junk but they felt there was not a sufficient backstop. There was not a immediate backstop but the direction of fire was across to a adjacent hill with no trails, roads, etc in that direction.

[bchase75]

Not at all suprised. Two out of the past three times we've been shooting up at Pike National a forest service ranger has approached us and said, "I don't mind you shooting here, but....could you please leave?" It was the first time I've been harassed in over a decade of shooting in that area, so I knew something was up.

The slow death of freedom in this country continues...

[Batteriesnare]

Yeah, they actually gave me a written warning about not having a proper backstop. I was shooting steel and targets on my stand and not trees or junk but they felt there was not a sufficient backstop. There was not a immediate backstop but the direction of fire was across to a adjacent hill with no trails, roads, etc in that direction.

Was thinking of heading up there tomorrow early AM, would be my first time shooting up there. I drove up the road and found three areas that were obviously used for shooting. I'd think sticking to one of these areas would be the best bet. Any other recommendations?

[.455_Hunter]

We need to get the word out on this topic to everyone who ever enjoys safely shooting in the hills and flood the public comment period, plus meeting with county commissioners, etc.

How much do you want to bet, even if they ever exist, that the approved shooting areas will be few and far between, overcrowded, probably more unsafe than the dispersed shooting occurring now?

There is absolutely NO reason that an activity my family has responsibly cherished for 50 years should become illegal because of the actions of a few irresponsible shooters and hurt feelings of ignorant hoplophobes. Going camping with my Dad and doing some light plinking is one of my fondest memories that I just begun to share with my young son (8).

This blows...

[BPTactical]

We need to get the word out on this topic to everyone who ever enjoys safely shooting in the hills and flood the public comment period, plus meeting with county commissioners, etc.

How much do you want to bet, even if they ever exist, that the approved shooting areas will be few and far between, overcrowded, probably more unsafe than the dispersed shooting occurring now?

There is absolutely NO reason that an activity my family has responsibly cherished for 50 years should become illegal because of the actions of a few irresponsible shooters and hurt feelings of ignorant hoplophobes. Going camping with my Dad and doing some light plinking is one of my fondest memories that I just begun to share with my young son (8).

This blows...



Welcome to Amerika.

Remember this:
"We are just a few days away from fundamentally changing America"

[Great-Kazoo]

There is absolutely NO reason that an activity my family has responsibly cherished for 50 years should become illegal because of the actions of a few irresponsible shooters and hurt feelings of ignorant hoplophobes. Going camping with my Dad and doing some light plinking is one of my fondest memories that I just begun to share with my young son (8).

.


Your words are the perfect comment to send them.


Buzz words to use when commenting:

Family Tradition

Shooting safely with good back stops

Always adhere to the tenets of firearm safety

A sport that is being passed on generation - generation.

[MED]

Going camping with my Dad and doing some light plinking is one of my fondest memories that I just begun to share with my young son (8).

This blows...

I live up here and this was a major part of my teenage son's life; I doubt he will be able to do the same. I absolutely hate all the changes where I live; I really do.

However, I really don't like a lot of the people that come up here and trash the place as well as demonstrate total idiocy and lack of safety.

[Great-Kazoo]

I live up here and this was a major part of my teenage son's life; I doubt he will be able to do the same. I absolutely hate all the changes where I live; I really do.

For every home built 5 liberal / progressive mind sets from CA or the yeast coast are moving in. Hoping to escape the repressive life style they once knew. Once moved in they run for HOA , town, school boards. Who in turn fuck it up worse than it was where they came from.

[MED]

For every home built 5 liberal / progressive mind sets from CA or the yeast coast are moving in. Hoping to escape the repressive life style they once knew. Once moved in they run for HOA , town, school boards. Who in turn fuck it up worse than it was where they came from.

I know; I absolutely hate it. It was a lot different here 25 years ago.

[Great-Kazoo]

I know; I absolutely hate it. It was a lot different here 25 years ago.

Not really, the flag burners didn't have a reason to leave their comfort zone 25 years ago. We're putting black X's on their curb. This way when the balloon drops "we know" ;)

[Dave_L]

Family Tradition


I don't think that really holds weight in today's public opinion. Only because the media/libs are trying so hard to push firearms out of the "family tradition". One of Targets reasons for asking to not bring your guns was it ruins the "family environment". I know we're talking apples and oranges since one is a public shopping store and this pertains to outdoor wilderness where shooting is normal. It just seems that family tradition of firearms is scoffed at, instead of cherished (at least that's the idea being crammed into everyone's brain). I'm 30 years old and more and more of my generation are seemingly coming out against firearms. Or at least are all for more restrictions and tighter controls. :(

[Great-Kazoo]

I don't think that really holds weight in today's public opinion. Only because the media/libs are trying so hard to push firearms out of the "family tradition". One of Targets reasons for asking to not bring your guns was it ruins the "family environment". I know we're talking apples and oranges since one is a public shopping store and this pertains to outdoor wilderness where shooting is normal. It just seems that family tradition of firearms is scoffed at, instead of cherished (at least that's the idea being crammed into everyone's brain). I'm 30 years old and more and more of my generation are seemingly coming out against firearms. Or at least are all for more restrictions and tighter controls. :(

Our daughter is 30 she has a long tradition of firearms. So did most of her age group. Guess it depends on how you were raised. Plus the political mindset. Yes its being pushed aside. However if you and your peers continue allowing this mentality to fester. Tradition is extinct.
You an American or Americant ?

[BushMasterBoy]

When I shoot, I go so far into extremely rugged terrain that nobody ever bothers me. Yeah you have to hike in and it's a bitch if you get lost, but I have never been bothered by anybody...

[Dave_L]

Our daughter is 30 she has a long tradition of firearms. So did most of her age group. Guess it depends on how you were raised. Plus the political mindset. Yes its being pushed aside. However if ypu and your peers continue allowing this mentality to fester. Tradition is extinct.
You an American or Americant ?

Don't worry, I try to get them to see the light whenever I can.

It just caught me off guard since the group I was part of was generally pretty conservative, or so I thought. However, it just seems that more and more people are all for "sensible regulation". It's very bothersome. I don't plan on breaking any kind of firearm tradition with my family so have no fear, I am an AMERICAN! :D

[ZERO THEORY]

When I shoot, I go so far into extremely rugged terrain that nobody ever bothers me. Yeah you have to hike in and it's a bitch if you get lost, but I have never been bothered by anybody...

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Deliverance/deliverance2.png

[GunsRBadMMMMKay]

"Tom Ford, a Forest Service planning and design staffer, said 50 percent to 75 percent of the land is close enough to homes, roads and campgrounds that shooting already is illegal there. Agency rules say it's illegal to shoot in an "unsafe area" near homes or people, he said."

So........if in the areas they are concerned about it is already illegal to shoot, then making a new law/regulation accomplishes what exactly?

[Aloha_Shooter]

Nah, they don't want to ban shooting, that would be unconstitutional. Now, making you have to drive 6-8 hours or pay a $300 membership to get someplace you can shoot ... well, sorry, it's for the children, you know?

[Gman]

When I shoot, I go so far into extremely rugged terrain that nobody ever bothers me. Yeah you have to hike in and it's a bitch if you get lost, but I have never been bothered by anybody...
If you hear banjos, you've gone too far.

[BushMasterBoy]

Tell ya what I have seen, big cat turds with lots of fur in 'em. You don't have to worry about bipeds unless they escaped from one of the many prisons...

[bchase75]

I was on the phone with several folks from the Forest Service today, and the general consensus was that if you're shooting on public lands, you can expect to be contacted by a ranger or the sheriff's department. As soon as someone calls in a complaint, they have to respond, and apparently their response consists of gently (or not so gently) harassing the people shooting to the point where they give up and go home.

I also spoke to a guy named Josh Vorhiz (sp?) who was the only person I talked to today who gave me a straight answer to my question of whether or not we can shoot at Pike anymore. He said that while we're technically allowed to shoot at Pike, he couldn't think of a single place in that area we could go to shoot and not be harassed by rangers and/or the sheriff's department.

So yeah....color me disgusted.

[Hound]

Sounds like suppressors are going to get more popular ;)

[.455_Hunter]

I was on the phone with several folks from the Forest Service today, and the general consensus was that if you're shooting on public lands, you can expect to be contacted by a ranger or the sheriff's department. As soon as someone calls in a complaint, they have to respond, and apparently their response consists of gently (or not so gently) harassing the people shooting to the point where they give up and go home.

I also spoke to a guy named Josh Vorhiz (sp?) who was the only person I talked to today who gave me a straight answer to my question of whether or not we can shoot at Pike anymore. He said that while we're technically allowed to shoot at Pike, he couldn't think of a single place in that area we could go to shoot and not be harassed by rangers and/or the sheriff's department.

So yeah....color me disgusted.

WTF IS GOING ON???

I am out of town this weekend, but the phones are burning up when I get back. This can't be allowed just to "happen".

[kidicarus13]

He said that while we're technically allowed to shoot at Pike, he couldn't think of a single place in that area we could go to shoot and not be harassed by rangers and/or the sheriff's department.
WTF is that attitude about?! They want to stay and watch me shoot? Maybe they can learn a thing or two.

[bchase75]

WTF IS GOING ON???

I am out of town this weekend, but the phones are burning up when I get back. This can't be allowed just to "happen".

I was so pissed off today that even a five mile run after work didn't calm me down, but after a few beers with friends I've decided that the best thing to do is get of my ass and get involved. If y'all have any suggestions on how to fight this on a local level, I'm all ears.

[boomerhc9]

The proposal includoes opening more approved shooting ranges and could be put to public comment within weeks.

Quite frankly, i havn't been happy with the forest service for the last year. After the flooding we had, they closed down old stage, and other roads while they fixed the washed out trails and roads. Several others opened and here we are a year later and old stage is still closed. A few miles past the stables, were numerous placs where people would shoot, and there is no other way to reach them.

Since they denied access, i've had to go pay to use ranges, to work on my IPSC loads and power factor, which is a sporting activity. We are ending up with fewer and fewer ''approved'' places to shoot. They just want to make us all criminals anyway, so maybe we should create a new sport. Call it AICCAAMTTBT practical shooting. Approved inner city coalition of armed Americans making their towns better today.

We meet every week in the shittiest neighborhoods all over america, looking for gang bangers, drug dealers, and liberals, taking down tango's to make our towns better today.

[boomerhc9]

All joking aside, we should start looking for holes in the proposal. For instance, setting up approved ranges for people to shoot at. They tried this already, and it failed miserably. The rampart range shooting range started OK then turned into a dumping ground for TV's and refrigerators that had been shot up. Finally, there was an accidental shooting, and a guy died before his friends could get him down the trail, and to the hospital. It was finally closed down.

Of course this example wouldn't be used, as it would give them ammo to shut down all shooting 45 miles into the forest.

We just have to be the more vocal majority at any and all meetings about this proposal. We need to get this story in the news all across colorado, so we can let other shooters hear about it. We need to use the liberal media against themselves, to help rally the troops so to speak.

If the numbers of firearm sales have been booming here in colorado it shouldn't be so hard to get a ton of people to stand with us. Especially new shooters, who have just discovered their second amendment rights. Shoot, when I first started shooting competitively, all I thought about was shooting. Now you add in the range fees, ammo costs, and gas, and shooting in the mountains really helps. now tell these new gun owners the govt. Wants to take away one of the places they can shoot.

[boomerhc9]

Also, if shooting in the forests, memorize the rules, and don't be breaking them.if told to leave for no reason, recite the rules you aren't breaking, and politely offer to leave when done shooting, and cleaning up your shooting area.until there is a law rewritten, you aren't breaking them, and can continue to shoot.