I came across this and made me think of your recent post about the couple who built their home at the end of a rifle range and are now wanting the range shut down.
In this case, the range is being built in an area claimed to be "near" two schools.
People
living in Shingle Springs are taking aim against a gun range planned
near an elementary school, but the county may not be able to do a thing
about it.
The outdoor range would be built along Highway 50 near Shingle Springs Drive
on property owned by the Miwok indian tribe. Residents say that
location would be too close to homes, schools and everyday life.
on property owned by the Miwok indian tribe. Residents say that
location would be too close to homes, schools and everyday life.
El Dorado County Supervisor Brian Veercamp says he’s had calls
on both sides of the issue, but despite complaints, there’s nothing the
county can do to stop the tribe from building a range at that location.
on both sides of the issue, but despite complaints, there’s nothing the
county can do to stop the tribe from building a range at that location.
“My
understanding is it’s federally trust land, through their protections
of that, they pretty much have the right to do anything they want on
their land,” he said.
He says they have to rely on the tribe being good neighbors, and doing their part to best keep the range safe.
Miwok lawyer AmyAnn Taylor says they will do that with 15-foot-tall berms to keep gunfire confined.
“We’ve also designed baffling that would be over it that would catch any errant bullets. And the targeting system is designed to entrap the bullets and doesn’t even let it break apart,” she said.
is designed to entrap the bullets and doesn’t even let it break apart,” she said.
An acoustic consultant will also help try to minimize the sound of gunfire in the area.
will also help try to minimize the sound of gunfire in the area.
However,
even if all of the safety concerns are addressed, it still boils down
to perceptions. It will be interesting to see where this goes
considering the jurisdictional issues in the mix.
“Even
when they dig it down, even if they put up baffles, our children will
still be playing to the sound of gunfire,” Tribble said."
Sounds like this is more an issue of a tribe's rights under Federal Law and Treaty more than a gun rights issue. If the design is bad and bullets escape then there will still be remedies available under our system of laws.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what got me interested in this article SJ. Perhaps this will be something that spreads as a business enterprise much like the casino industry has.
DeleteYeah, when it comes to Native Americans, "under our system of laws" doesn't count for much.
DeleteYeah, when it comes to Native Americans, "under our system of laws" doesn't count for much.
DeleteIt's entirely appropriate that tribes be treated as the sovereign entities that they are.
It's not a matter of their (Indians) right, it's a matter of community relationships. Just because they can doesn't mean they should, or that it's a good idea. If Indians ignore public reaction, then it's fair to criticize their decision.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a funny irony that some tribes are getting rich off white mans gambling habit, especially since the law won't let gambling in communities across the street from Indian casinos; but there have been legitimate complaints how those casinos negatively effect the non Indian communities adjacent to those casinos.
Jack,
DeleteI was pointing out that it's a matter of tribal rights rather than gun rights because of the tag Mike put on the post. Criticize away. Try to persuade them not to do it. All that's fine. What isn't kosher is the people wanting to use the county government to stop the tribe.
I never said they shouldn't do it, not sure where you got that from.
DeleteI think it's a funny irony that some tribes are getting rich off white mans gambling habit, especially since the law won't let gambling in communities across the street from Indian casinos; but there have been legitimate complaints how those casinos negatively effect the non Indian communities adjacent to those casinos.
ReplyDeleteIs that any "funnier" than white men getting rich selling alcohol near reservations where it's banned, without regard to the detrimental effects on the reservations?
Frankly, I think this is a losing fight that the gun controllers should back off of before it gets wider coverage. This seems ready made for the tribe to frame any brouhaha in terms of "frightened white people trying to tell Natives what they can do on the tiny bits of land they let us keep." That could lead to an interesting Social Justice Warrior feeding frenzy.
ReplyDelete