Re: Puget Sound Area Shooter's Group
Ranger,
I'm pretty new up here (moved here last may), but from what I have seen, many of the gates to the areas where we would like to shoot are locked. We need the state to give us permission to enter through these gates, and I think that is where the problem is.
Frankly, I think that using the liability issue is BS because technically, any use they approve comes with liability...off road vehicles could leak oil or other petroleum products, roll overs due to poorly maintained roads could end in a claim that the state should have maintained the trails better.. Even hikers who trip and fall could sue over poorly maintained roads. It is my belief that many entities use liability as a cop-out to deny access to groups that they don't like for whatever reason.
Although we could easily present a logical argument for access, as all the people on this thread know, logic isn't often at the core of the anti-gun movement once you get them to engage in true dialogue or debate. Simply put, they don't like guns, so they come up with the BS excuse of liability. If we presented the argument that any use comes with liability, they they usually just shut down rather than admit that their argument is flawed.
I think Broker is doing a fabulous job on our behalf, and he is deserving of praise and gratitude from all of us. Keep in mind, Broker is doing all this work on his dime.
I think that eventually, we may yet find a place where we can shoot.
An approach that might work would be to ask the different state agencies for maps to all of their lands, and for their regulations on use and access. Once we have more information, we would be able to look at the lands, and research how the rules regarding access work. Once we know how to play the game, we have a fair chance at winning.
As it currently stands, it is much like flying blind. We need to know the maps, rules, and access rules, then we can try again.
We could look at the existing lands on the map, and circle the places that look promising based on things like:
1. Not near housing developments
2. Not near frequently used trails
3. Within reasonable distance from our start point (Bremerton, Tacoma and so on)
4. Sufficient distance
5. have places where we could set up a shooting and impact area.
After eliminating unsuitable areas, figure out how to use the existing rules to make our request for access.
It may be that the purpose of our access is irrelevant. If our purpose is not on a list of specifically prohibited activities, then we may not need to state the activity for which we are requesting access. This alone may eliminate much of the difficulty.
Of course, we have to make sure that we aren't in violation of any local or state ordinances by shooting there.
BROKER; THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK!
