My wife and I have been owners at R-Ranch in the Sequoias since before the kids were born. It's been great for them and us. We've always loved the place and go up several times a year to restore our souls (and use the gun range).
As with anything where other people are involved, disagreements spring up. I've stayed out of the politics of the place because that's not why I bought in, and I get into enough scraps down here in Flatland. But now it looks like a fight to the finish is being forced on me and I won't be able to remain sidelined.
One of the Board members just sent this out via the Ranch's e-news update:
My reply:
The implications--if such rules are imposed and allowed to stand--reach far beyond the borders of Ranch property. I have some ideas on where I want to take this and will post updates as they happen. In the meantime, suggestions on legal avenues to explore and cite references will be appreciated.
As with anything where other people are involved, disagreements spring up. I've stayed out of the politics of the place because that's not why I bought in, and I get into enough scraps down here in Flatland. But now it looks like a fight to the finish is being forced on me and I won't be able to remain sidelined.
One of the Board members just sent this out via the Ranch's e-news update:
Rules for Firearms
A couple of month ago there was an incident on the ranch involving a gun. When we checked the ranch rules we found we had no written rules dealing with the use and caring of firearms on the ranch.
Earl [the Board president--DC] gave me the task of coming up with some rules for the safety of all.
I have scheduled the dance hall for a meeting of all, who are concerned with the issue. The next board meeting has been change to 24 Sept. 10 A.M. So I have reserved the dance hall for 12 Noon, 24 Sept. to have a meeting. We have several owners who are interested in attending the meeting, but I would like to get as many owners as possible to attend and participate in the debate. I would like the rules that we give to the board for review to be a consensus of a large group rather than just a few.
I would appreciate it if you would run an article to let all the owners know about the meeting. I will have a list of what I think the rules should be, but that will only be a base to start from. I will chair the committee and will try to get a secretary to take notes. All who attend will be members of the committee.
My reply:
The last thing we need is politically correct hysteria limiting the right of rational free Americans to keep and bear arms on what is their own property. One “incident” is hardly cause for infringing on my rights. That’s the same excuse well-meaning (or sometimes subversive) fools use for imposing “gun control” on society at large, and the results are always the same: the goblins have what they want when and where they want it, and the “good” people are helpless.
One incident out of the 15 years I have been an owner. This is an urgent problem? If some moron did something stupid or evil with a gun, that has no bearing on me and I will not be penalized for it. Punish him—severely-- and be done with it.
You should know, the California Penal Code prohibition against carrying a loaded firearm provides an exception for a temporary residence or campsite.
Finally, unless the Ranch is willing to guarantee my protection and that of my family while there—including from bears and mountain lions—where the directors know we have a recurring problem—it seems they are setting us all up for a big liability should something happen if people are forced to obey some artificial prohibition.
Don’t open this door. There is no need to. It will only cause more divisiveness and not solve a thing.
If someone is brandishing a gun, there are already laws against that. If someone is recklessly endangering someone with a gun, there are already laws against that. If someone is threatening someone with a gun, there are already laws against that.
What more does Earl want?
And one other thing—if you do pass a prohibition, I’ll ignore it and carry what I want when I want. It’s not like anyone will know for sure—just like always.
The implications--if such rules are imposed and allowed to stand--reach far beyond the borders of Ranch property. I have some ideas on where I want to take this and will post updates as they happen. In the meantime, suggestions on legal avenues to explore and cite references will be appreciated.