IT'S BACK!!!!!!! Thurston County No Shooting Zone Ordinance

[huntrights]

We cannot stop pushing back! 

Keep up the momentum! 

Don't let this fall off of your radar!

Write those emails!  Sign the petition!  Go to the public meetings!

Pass this on to all of your family, friends, and anyone that wants to keep their freedoms! 

This is real, and it's happening now!  It's up to us to stop it!

[huntrights]

Watch the video of the public comment at last Tuesday's Commissioner's meeting.

http://www.myfreedomfoundation.com/index.php/stop_thurston_county/view/citizens_speak_up_against_thurston_countys_no_shooting_ordinance

[Special T]

Well it sounds like plenty of well thought out people made comments.

[huntrights]

Yesterday's (03/14/12) 2:00 ~ 3:00 p.m. public comment period in front of the Thurston County Commissioners included several people that spoke in opposition to the proposed changes to the Thurston County No Shooting Zone Ordinance. 

This is a good opportunity to voice your opposition to the ordinance.

Tuesday's, approximately 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Opportunity for the Public to Address the Board)
Thurston County Courthouse, Building One, Room 280
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502-1045

Check their agenda prior to make sure they will be having a meeting:

http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/bocc/docs/agenda/Agenda.pdf

[huntrights]

Keep this on your radar folks. 

Your rights and privileges are being threatened.

Throughout the thread, there are many options given to you regarding how you, as an individual, can help defeat this terrible proposed ordinance.

Send emails.  Sign a petition.

Using a Smokey the Bear type of phrase:

Remember, only you can prevent bad ordinances!

Petition web sites:

http://www.change.org/petitions/thurston-county-commissioner-district-1-stop-all-action-on-the-thurston-county-no-shooting-zone-ordinance

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopthurstoncounty/

[huntrights]

OLYMPIA UNDERCOVER reports on sportsmens' protest of the proposed new Thurston County anti-shooting ordinance.

Watch the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNbS0KH9Eds


"Uploaded by terryknightproducer on Mar 18, 2012

OLYMPIA UNDERCOVER reports on sportsmens' protest of the proposed new Thurston County anti-shooting ordinance. Originally called the "No Shooting Zone" Ordinance, the proposed new law has been renamed the "Controlled Shooting" Ordinance. Area hunters and recreational shooters are angry about what they see as a needless attempt to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Jessica Dillon reports from Cabela's in Lacey."


Each and every one of you must take a stand to HELP defend YOUR freedoms, YOUR property rights, and YOUR privileges to hunt and shoot.

We need everyone's help to defeat this.  Several posts in this string of posts provide very easy methods YOU can use to HELP. 

We are not crying wolf!  This is real!  It is happening now!
 
YOU will be very upset if YOU do not fight for YOUR freedoms, YOUR property rights, and YOUR privileges to hunt and shoot.  HELP prevent the passage of this ordinance!

[sebek556]

  keep up the fight guys

[brianmtsinc]

petition signed and letters sent!   

[pianoman9701]

Signed and working on additional avenues of attack. They've really pigeon-holed themselves on this, claiming it as a safety issue. They'd probably have had more luck being honest and presenting it as an anti-gun issue with all the libs in this county.

[bearpaw]

Can one of you post a short mesaage here highlighting the key points and put the email addresses that you want the message sent to?

Keep it short and sweet, make it easy for people to take action. 

[bearpaw]

Is there a local media outlet that might write about the ordinance?  You might want to add them to the email list and try to get them to write about it by flodding them with the same messaage. 

Any other way to create accountability of these elected people to the people? 

[pianoman9701]

Here is what they're proposing for the new ordinance. This is the excerpt from the full document:

"AN ORDINANCE adding new sections to chapter 10.04 of the Thurston County Code to regulate the discharge of firearms in areas of high density development, to provide exceptions to this prohibition where it conflicts with state and federal law, and to provide an exemption process by which properties may be removed from this prohibition if the discharge of firearms on those properties creates no reasonable likelihood of endangerment to humans, domestic animals or property.
WHEREAS, the discharge of firearms in zoning districts that allow for residential densities greater than one dwelling unit per two acres poses a reasonable likelihood of endangerment to people, domestic animals, and property due to the high density of residential structures; and
WHEREAS, waterfowl hunting utilizing shotguns with a firing range of approximately 300 yards occurs from watercraft in the marine waters along the shorelines of Thurston County and the discharge of firearms closer than 300 yards creates a reasonable likelihood of endangerment to people, domestic animals, and property on the shoreline; and
WHEREAS, Article I, section 24 of the state Constitution guarantees the right of the individual to bear arms in defense of self or others; and
WHEREAS, peace officers, properly trained in the safe use of firearms, use firearms in the course of their official duties; and
WHEREAS, agriculture, including raising of domestic animals for slaughter, is a permitted use throughout much of the county and the slaughter of domestic animals on farms utilizing firearms is a common agricultural practice; and
WHEREAS, shooting ranges exist or may exist, that have been developed and approved with provisions for the safe discharge of firearms in a controlled environment; and
WHEREAS, hunters of wild animals may wound an animal that then retreats to a no shooting area and such hunters are bound by hunting ethics and State law to not waste wildlife and therefore must pursue wounded game animals; and
WHEREAS, certain ordinances adopted in the past by Thurston County prohibit the discharge of firearms and do not include exceptions for self defense, peace officers, slaughter of domestic animals, legally existing shooting ranges, or the dispatching of wounded animals; and
WHEREAS, the discharge of firearms on certain properties within a no shooting zone may not pose a threat to humans, domestic animals or property due to lot size, configuration and/or location and ordinances adopted in the past by Thurston County prohibit the discharge of firearms and do not include a process for property owners seeking an exemption from the ordinance.

It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm at any time in Thurston County, State of Washington, in the following described areas of the County:
All those areas outside city limits that lie within the adopted Thurston County Urban Growth Areas for Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Grand Mound; and
All those areas zoned Residential LAMIRD One Dwelling Unit Per Acre; and
All those areas zoned Residential LAMIRD Two Dwelling Units Per Acre; and
All that portion of land and marine waters of Puget Sound lying 300 yards, waterward, from the ordinary high water line; except for that portion of Sections 5 and 6 of Township 18 North, Range 1 East lying north of Interstate 5, Sections 31 and 32 of Township 19 North, Range 1 East, and the South Half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 30, Township 19 North, Range 1 East; and
All that portion of Eld Inlet lying southerly of an east-west line described as beginning at a point lying 300 feet Northerly of the intersection of the Meander Line with the East Line of Section 31, Township 19, North Range 2 West, thence due Westerly across Eld Inlet to the Western Shoreline; and
All that portion of Henderson Inlet lying Southerly of the North line of Sections 17 and 18, Township 19 North, Range 1 West;
Excepted from the above described areas are those lands and waterways already within the boundaries of an adopted No Shooting or Controlled Shooting zone, contained in chapter 10.04 of the Thurston County Code, in effect on the date of adoption of this ordinance.
Section 2. There is added a new section to chapter 10.04 Thurston County Code to read as follows:
New Section. Section 2 – Exceptions.
The provisions of chapter 10.04 shall not apply to the discharge of firearms:
(1) By a person acting in self-defense;
(2) By peace officers in the course of their official duties;
(3) In the course of farm slaughter activities;
3
(4) Within a legally existing or approved shooting range;
(5) By a person protecting livestock, pets, and/or property, in compliance with applicable State law;
(6) By a person retrieving and dispatching wounded game animals.
Section 3. There is added a new section to chapter 10.04 Thurston County Code, to read as follows:
New Section. Section 3- Exemption – Application – Fee
Application for exemption from the prohibition on discharging firearms shall be considered for properties two acres or larger. The application shall be submitted in writing and filed with the Thurston County Resource Stewardship Department. The application shall be accompanied with a receipt showing payment to this department. The fee shall be adopted on an annual basis as part of the department’s regular permit fee schedule. The application shall include:
A. A completed Master Application, available from the department, including the name address and signature of the property owner.
B. A narrative describing the type of activity proposed (hunting, target practice, etc.), type of firearms to be used, who is involved, number of people participating at any one time, and time and duration of the activity. The narrative shall include a summary outlining the safety precautions the applicant will employ in order to ensure that the discharge of a firearm on their property will not endanger humans, domestic animals and the property of others.
C. A detailed and accurate map of the property at a scale of not less than two hundred feet to the inch (using a standard interval of engineer scale), which shall include or show:
1. The boundaries, including dimensions, of the property proposed to be exempted;
2. The type, location and height of all existing structures, including, but not limited to, buildings, fences, bridges, and storage tanks on the property proposed to be exempted;
3. A detail of areas proposed for firearm discharge on the property proposed to be exempted, including the direction of shooting, distances downrange, and what land uses lie beyond and to the sides of the shooting area;
4. The topography of the property proposed to be exempted;
5. The type and location of all structures within 300-feet of the property boundaries of the property proposed to be exempted; and
6. A north arrow, map scale, date, site address and directions to the site.
4
Section 4. There is added a new section to chapter 10.04 Thurston County Code, to read as follows:
New Section. Section 4. Hearing Examiner Action
The Hearing Examiner shall consider the proposed exemption from the prohibition on the discharge of firearms at a public hearing. If the hearing examiner finds the discharge of firearms on the subject property will not pose a reasonable likelihood of endangerment to people, domestic animals, or property the requested exemption will be granted. Such findings shall be issued by the Hearing Examiner in writing subject to the standard appeal process.
Section 5. There is added a new section to chapter 10.04 Thurston County Code, to read as follows:
Section5—Severability Clause. If any term or provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms and provisions of this ordinance, and the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby, but each remaining term and provision shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

[pianoman9701]

One other thing here is whether or not they even have the authority to limit activities which happen on the water, especially on Puget Sound. Public waterways may be under the jurisdiction of state or even federal agencies.

[Special T]

This stuff is bad news!

[huntrights]

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Most of these are very quick and simple methods for you to get involved.


Write emails expressing your opposition to the proposed changes to the Thurston County No Shooting Zone Ordinance:

Commissioner Sandra Romero - RomeroS@co.thurston.wa.us
Commissioner Cathy Wolfe - Wolfec@co.thurston.wa.us
Commissioner Karen Valenzuela - valenzk@co.thurston.wa.us

You must also copy Robert Smith as he is the official "Keeper" of these communications:

Robert Smith - smithr@co.thurston.wa.us

You can also copy the County Manager:

Don Krupp - County Manager - kruppd@co.thurston.wa.us


Sample email:

To: Thurston County Commissioners and involved Thurston County Staff

I am sending you this communication to express my total opposition to your proposed changes to the Thurston County, Washington No Shooting Zone Ordinance that will further regulate and restrict the discharge of firearms during the legal and safe activities of hunting and recreational shooting (Reference Chapter 10.04 – Discharge of Firearms - Thurston County, Washington code).
 This ordinance, as proposed, will be a direct affront to the local landowners, recreational shooters and hunters of Thurston County, Washington State, and all who visit Thurston County from out of state for these outdoor opportunities.  You will be depriving property owners of their right to utilize their land as they see fit, and depriving recreational shooters and hunters of their right to legally and safely utilize public waterways, public lands, and private lands. You will also be imposing hardships on many communities and businesses that rely on local and out-of-county revenue from hunting and shooting activities.  You need to take into account the amount of money spent by hunters and shooters in all aspects of our economy: hotels, motels, restaurants, sporting goods stores, grocery stores, gas stations, guide services, permit and license fees, tourism, etc.
I am respectfully asking you to stop your unjustified pursuit of restrictions on our freedoms, property rights, and opportunities to hunt and shoot.

Sincerely,

[Your name]



Sign a petition; there are two online:


http://www.change.org/petitions/thurston-county-commissioner-stop-all-action-on-the-thurston-county-no-shooting-zone-ordinance


http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopthurstoncounty/



Go to public meetings:


This is a good opportunity to voice your opposition to the ordinance; you get 3 minutes.

Tuesday's, approximately 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Opportunity for the Public to Address the Board)
Thurston County Courthouse, Building One, Room 280
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502-1045

Check their agenda prior to going to make sure they will be having a meeting:

http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/bocc/docs/agenda/Agenda.pdf



This is a very important meeting that all should try to attend.  We need to fill the room.  If you go, write on the sign-in register that you OPPOSE the No Shooting Zone Ordinance.  The public will NOT be able to speak at this meeting; you will only be able to observe.  Our presence is extremely important.  The Commissioners will be given a briefing by Cliff Moore from the Thurston County Resource Stewardship Department on what they are now calling the “Controlled Shooting Zone”.  The Commissioners will decide at that time what their next step will be.

Thursday, April 5, 2012; 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thurston County Courthouse, Building One, Room 280
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502-1045

Check their master schedule prior to make sure they will be having a meeting:

http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/bocc/docs/Master%20Schedule.pdf[/size]



You can write the Thurston County State Representatives:


State Representative Contacts for Thurston County:

http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/auditor/Elections/ElectedOfficials/ElectOfficialstate.htm


It is very important to let these representatives know that the proposed changes to the Thurston County No Shooting Zone Ordinance will have a significant negative effect on the legal, public use of marine shorelines of statewide significance.  The restrictions will also have negative statewide economic impact as these proposed restrictions directly affect local, state, and out-of-state tourism dollars related to hunting and recreational shooting.  This is a state issue!


Legislative District No. 2    Party   Expires*
Senator:   Randi Becker   R   2012
115B Irv Newhouse Bldg, PO Box 40402, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7602 Email: randi.becker@leg.wa.gov

Representative: Pos 1   Jim McCune   R   2012
109 Modular Bldg. G, PO Box 40600, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7824 Email: jim.mccune@leg.wa.gov

Representative: Pos 2   J. T. Wilcox   R   2012
106 Modular Bldg. G, PO Box 40600, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7912 Email: jt.wilcox@leg.wa.gov

Legislative District No. 20    Party   Expires*
Senator:   Dan Swecker   R   2012
103 Irv Newhouse Bldg, PO Box 40420, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7638 Email: dan.swecker@leg.wa.gov

Representative: Pos 1   Richard DeBolt   R   2012
335C Legislative Bldg, PO Box 40600, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7896 Email: richard.debolt@leg.wa.gov

Representative: Pos 2   Gary Alexander   R   2012
426 Legislative Bldg, PO Box 40600, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7990 Email: gary.alexander@leg.wa.gov

Legislative District No. 22   Party   Expires*
Senator:   Karen Fraser   D   2012
404 Legislative Bldg, PO Box 40422, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7642 Email: karen.fraser@leg.wa.gov

Representative: Pos 1   Chris Reykdal   D   2012
104 Modular Bldg. C, PO Box 40600, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7940 Email: chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov

Representative: Pos 2   Sam Hunt   D   2012
438B Legislative Bldg, PO Box 40600, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7992 Email: sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov

Legislative District No. 35   Party   Expires*
Senator:   Tim Sheldon   D   2014
412 Legislative Bldg, PO Box 40435, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7668 Email: timothy.sheldon@leg.wa.gov

Representative: Pos 1   Kathy Haigh   D   2012
108 Modular Bldg. F, PO Box 40600, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7966 Email: kathy.haigh@leg.wa.gov

Representative: Pos 2   Fred Finn   D   2012
101 Modular Bldg. B, PO Box 40600, Olympia WA 98504
(360) 786-7902 Email: fred.finn@leg.wa.gov