True story

[rhd04]

Just wanted to share this experience and get opinions. I live in a rural community in western PA. There are no ordinances about discharging firearms. I was on my property testing some reloads for my 38 special. While I was writing done velocitys from my chronograph my neighbor approached me with gun in hand telling me he has a problem. Telling me to stop shooting and that I was disturbing the peace. I told him I would stop and he was to get off my property that he was trespassing. On another occasion he called the police. When the state trooper came I had told him about the incident. He asked me if I wanted him to go to talk to the neighbor about it. I just kinda laughed and said no. In the past this guy was brought up on stalking charges from a school teacher he had a dispute with. I was just upset the officer acted like it. Wasn't a big deal the guy came on my property armed like that.

[ultramag]

Well, my opinion is that if it's legal to shoot and you are doing it in a safe manner at a reasonable time of day then he could go pound sand.

[rhd04]

Thanks! Now when I shoot he stands on the edge of his property with a video camera to film me. Lol , he's nuts!!

[RRP]

Thanks! Now when I shoot he stands on the edge of his property with a video camera to film me. Lol , he's nuts!!

Good fences make good neighbors.

[Ikeo74]

This brings up a question. How big is your property? Is it a small 2-3 acres or is it a larger property? Sounds like your neighbor's house is very close by. Do you have a sufficient backstop? Fill in the blanks here, we don't have enough info to give a good opinion yet.

[rhd04]

It's 2.5 acres one side borders a wooded area that connects to a farm. I built a large backstop using pine trees that I cut down. The state trooper checked it out and said it all looked good to him. The guys house is about 60 yards away from where I shoot but its behind me and over a horizon so I can't even see it.

[chrish]

Whether or not there is an ordinance, whether or not you were disturbing the peace. Some guy (neighbor or not) just walked on to your property with a gun, likely loaded for all you know, and confronted you about your activity, whatever that activity was. In most states, that's brandishing, regardless of anything else at play. I personally would have considered that a threat, at a minimum told him to get off my property and if he comes back with a gun again you would press charges. I think I'd have called the cops either way. He's DANGEROUS.

He's lucky you are who you are and kept your wits about you. I expect in some places, he'd have left back home with lead in his ***.

Given your details, yea, he's probably pissed about the noise and I'd consider that and try to have a chat with him about an agreed upon time that he'd be OK with it. He may just be a jerk about it and say never, but, if there is no law/ordinance, then he's SOL I guess unless you opt to be the bigger man (not saying it's right, just saying) and give up your ability to shoot on your property.

Ick, sorry you have to deal with this, not fun.

[kahrseye]

I think you handled the situation correctly. After all he's still going to be your neighbor. Maybe he had a gun in his hand because he thought something may be wrong and was ready to take care of business. I'm not saying you need to but maybe if you make him aware before you start target practice, that may ease his concerns. However if he's an controlling ass, nothing you do will suffice.

[Ikeo74]

I doubt you will be able to make friends with this guy. Too bad. Make sure your backstop stops 100% of the bullets or the farmer could join in the fued too.

[mser]

I was just upset the officer acted like it wasn't a big deal the guy came on my property armed like that.

Why? Did the guy do anything illegal? Verbally threaten you or brandish the firearm in a threatening manner? Did he leave when you directed him to do so? What he did may have been extremely stupid, but illegal? No law against stupid. Should be, but there isn't.

Kudos to you for taking the high road and being what sounds like from your description of the events, the level headed one. Sounds like you need to keep an eye on him as much as he seems to be keeping on you.

[jocko]

what did

Just wanted to share this experience and get opinions. I live in a rural community in western PA. There are no ordinances about discharging firearms. I was on my property testing some reloads for my 38 special. While I was writing done velocitys from my chronograph my neighbor approached me with gun in hand telling me he has a problem. Telling me to stop shooting and that I was disturbing the peace. I told him I would stop and he was to get off my property that he was trespassing. On another occasion he called the police. When the state trooper came I had told him about the incident. He asked me if I wanted him to go to talk to the neighbor about it. I just kinda laughed and said no. In the past this guy was brought up on stalking charges from a school teacher he had a dispute with. I was just upset the officer acted like it. Wasn't a big deal the guy came on my property armed like that.

u expect the trooper to do. he offered to talk to the fella and you said no Unles su had your property even posed etc, the neighbor next door broke no laws that I can see, He came to you and ask you to stop shootin. whethger he had a gun or not.

I would have told the neighbor to pound sand also but he ha dthe right IMO to approach u this one time on ur property. Next time he comes on ur property u might tell him u will now file charges against him for threatening u and trespassing as now u at leat have a report in with the state troopers.

U might have to prove thgat whgere ur shooting is 100% safe to but that is ur callto make to. I think you have the right to shoot in this area according to you, probably as much as the neighbor has the right to approach u and ask u to not do it. U now just gotta decide if you want a sh!t head for a neighbor or maybe want to try to get along. for damn sure u gotta make sure where ur shootin is absolutely safe and no way kendangers his property rghts.

after that: Fokk him and the horse he road in on.

[rhd04]

He does make me nervous. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder doing yard work! I just don't trust him! You know chainsaws are pretty loud too!

[muggsy]

Before you started shooting it would have been nice of you to have informed your neighbor of your intentions. You could have explained that you are a responsible gun owner and that you wouldn't be shooting before 9:00 A.M. or after six P.M. so as to disturb him as little as possible. You could have informed him that you had constructed a suitable backstop and you might even have invited him to participate if he liked. You started out on the wrong foot. You can try to rectify the situation, or allow it to escalate. It's your choice. Good neighbors make good neighbors.

[sharpetop]

Hell, maybe he just wants to shoot with you. Ask him. If he doesn't, tell him to leave you the fokk alone.

[Longitude Zero]

I would keep a close eye on the bozo neighbor. That is a fool looking for a confrontation. Stay safe.