Not sure if this fits in this category but also not sure what other category might be more appropriate. The background is that I was shooting at a friends 60 acre tract this evening ( 9mm handgun ) by myself where we have been shooting since last year. We shoot into an earthen dam as a backstop. This is a 60 acre tract where we shoot in a creek bottom surrounded by trees.
As I left the property the neighbor was standing across the road in his yard and confronted me stating rounds were "whizzing through the trees above his head over his house." Approximate distant is roughly 500 yards. This is the first issue we've had with this neighbor although they recently moved into the house. I won't totally discount the rounds getting off the property although I sincerely doubt that is the case. The neighbor stated he had called the sheriff and after I had talked to the neighbor and waiting for awhile I left without law enforcement showing up.
Got home about 15 minutes later only to have a sheriff's deputy pull up in my driveway. After a dscussion (somewhat of a lecture) re: safe shooting, good neighbors, people getting killed, etc. the deputy asked if I owned the property. I stated it belonged to a friend of mine and provided the name of the landowner and offered his phone number. The deputy replied that just providing a name and a phone didn't prove I knew the landowner. The deputy then informed me that if I was confronted by law enforcement (him) while on property I didn't own and I couldn't produce a written document that I had permission to be there he could (and would) be able to take me to jail citing me for trespass.
After this rambling the question is whether this is correct ? Do I have to show written permission to law enforcement or risk be taken to jail ? ! I would have thought the landowner would have to actually make a complaint. The deputy recommended I obtain a written permission slip from the land owner and keep it in my truck. I replied I don't always drive the same vehicle. He then said I should keep it in my shooting bag . . . . or better still, keep it in my wallet. Quite frankly I don't intend to fill my wallet with paperwork just to placate law enforcement. On the other hand, I'd just as soon not spend a nite in jail due to an overzealous deputy if the landowner is not shooting with me and can't be reached. Again, the deputy said someone calling him wouldn't result in proof of who the caller actually was and whether I have been given permission.
I am willing to follow the rule of the law - I just have trouble believing I can be jailed if I don't have written permission from the landowner on my person when no landowner complaint has been filed. Do I risk being detained and jailed ?
As I left the property the neighbor was standing across the road in his yard and confronted me stating rounds were "whizzing through the trees above his head over his house." Approximate distant is roughly 500 yards. This is the first issue we've had with this neighbor although they recently moved into the house. I won't totally discount the rounds getting off the property although I sincerely doubt that is the case. The neighbor stated he had called the sheriff and after I had talked to the neighbor and waiting for awhile I left without law enforcement showing up.
Got home about 15 minutes later only to have a sheriff's deputy pull up in my driveway. After a dscussion (somewhat of a lecture) re: safe shooting, good neighbors, people getting killed, etc. the deputy asked if I owned the property. I stated it belonged to a friend of mine and provided the name of the landowner and offered his phone number. The deputy replied that just providing a name and a phone didn't prove I knew the landowner. The deputy then informed me that if I was confronted by law enforcement (him) while on property I didn't own and I couldn't produce a written document that I had permission to be there he could (and would) be able to take me to jail citing me for trespass.
After this rambling the question is whether this is correct ? Do I have to show written permission to law enforcement or risk be taken to jail ? ! I would have thought the landowner would have to actually make a complaint. The deputy recommended I obtain a written permission slip from the land owner and keep it in my truck. I replied I don't always drive the same vehicle. He then said I should keep it in my shooting bag . . . . or better still, keep it in my wallet. Quite frankly I don't intend to fill my wallet with paperwork just to placate law enforcement. On the other hand, I'd just as soon not spend a nite in jail due to an overzealous deputy if the landowner is not shooting with me and can't be reached. Again, the deputy said someone calling him wouldn't result in proof of who the caller actually was and whether I have been given permission.
I am willing to follow the rule of the law - I just have trouble believing I can be jailed if I don't have written permission from the landowner on my person when no landowner complaint has been filed. Do I risk being detained and jailed ?
