Here in Key Largo, there's an outdoor shooting range

[MynameisBlarney]

that used to be open to the public, but is now available only to law enforcement.
They shoot daily.
But they especially seem to really get going on Sunday mornings.
They shoot some BFG's over there, that if the aren't fully automatic, they damn sure sound like it.

I am thinking about writing an anonymous letter to the editor in the Free Press, suggesting they refrain from such activities on Sundays. Or go to the indoor range up the road.

It always bothered me to have to hear gunfire when I'm chillin in my yard on a nice day. But after Sandy Hook...I'm not so keen on hearing gunfire. Even if it's just cops getting in target practice.

I would sign my name to this when I write it, but it's a small town, and deep red. My family owns a small business here, and I don't want to ruffle any feathers. We're struggling enough as it is.

Not sure where I'm going with this really...maybe just sounding it out, before I send it.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Travis_0004]

1. Did you move in before or after the range was built?

If you moved in first, then I think you have a legitimate complaint, and who knows, hopefully they will at least listen to your letter.

I think if you moved in after the range was built, then you should have known that there would be noise, so I wouldn't think you have much room to complain.

[MynameisBlarney]

3. Good point

It's been there for years and years.
But you can hear it no matter where you live in town. It's a tiny island.

[Arctic Dave]

2. Sounds like an area in our town.

On any given weekend it sounds like a war zone in the not so distant area.

I always want to ask the people in that neighborhood where the houses are in the 900,000 and up prices if they ever use their backyards on a nice day.

[MynameisBlarney]

4. When I lived in rural NC

I never heard that much gun fire.
When I did, it was usually because I was the one firing the gun.
Heck, even when I lived down the street from the ghetto, it was never like this.
It's not constant, but it does go on all day.

[guardian]

5. Sounds like a zoning issue

I'd start there.

[MynameisBlarney]

10. Ugh...

Zoning...
That is one maze I don't particularly care to enter.

[tavernier]

6. Move to Tavernier, neighbor...

We can't hear it here.

[MynameisBlarney]

8. HAHA! COOL!

Howdy neighbor!

[tavernier]

11. We ran a resort for fifteen years in Key Largo

and had to ask assistance from the local cop shop during shrimp and lobster season. They were very nice and helpful so I would suggest a phone call to them. If you explained the situation as clearly and politely as you do in your OP, I think they might agree with your suggestions.

Or if not, we could go and TP their patrol cars while they are at the donut shop.

[MynameisBlarney]

13. lol

The cops down here are generally quite nice.
I may just do that.
Not the TP part though...
When I was a 16 y/o know it all P.I.T.A. skate punk, I'd put skate stickers on cop cars and thought I was THE COOLEST anarchist ever, lol.

Nowadays...not so much.

Still a P.I.T.A. though.

[Robb]

7. I'll only note that most newspapers do not publish anonymous letters.

They will often, if requested and with good reason, withhold the name from print. I would ask.

[MynameisBlarney]

9. Not sure about the policy of the local rags

on that.
But I have seen a few anonymous letters in there over the past few years.

[Yo_Mama]

12. Try being reasonable

The range was there before you, so you bought your property under these conditions. Sandy Hook has nothing to do with it. I assume that more cops are off on the weekends, so that's probably when they do the bulk of their practice.

However I think if you approached them nicely and requested, for example, a delayed start on Sundays, that you would have a chance of success.

To get you have to concede something. Maybe you just don't want to hear gunfire at all, but cops do have to have weapons and they do have to practice with them. I suspect that the indoor range might not have the same facilities. If they are shooting long-range matches on Sundays, then they could not simply shift to the indoor range.

I hate to put it this way, but in our country, cops do need weapons. I'd rather have cops who are good with them than cops who aren't! I am kind of appalled at the military-type development of policing, but I doubt any cop would agree with me.

You might ask around among the neighbors and see if anyone else would be willing to go on record asking for a delayed start on Sundays. You have a much greater chance of success if other people are with you.

[MynameisBlarney]

14. Whoa!

Bought?
Aaaw heck no. I'm a renter!
I'm way too poor to even think about buying a trailer down here, let alone an actual house.

But, yeah, other than that, you are right.
Get more flies with honey, for sure.

And I don't want them to stop target practice, I just would like to enjoy my day(s) off without hearing gun fire.

[Yo_Mama]

15. Being a renter doesn't help

But still, ask around and see if you can get some others to sign on. Asking for something very moderate gives you a much higher chance of success both in enrolling others and in getting some concession, I think.

Best of luck.

The problem is that for you to have weekends without hearing gunfire, they would probably have to stop target practice! So your best chance is to seek a compromise, which might not be totally satisfying, but could help.