So Florida law is cool with this. The cops are not cool with this, but tell me there's nothing they can do. The city attorney says he can do nothing. The NRA threatens any town that dares try to pass an ordinance against this. And best yet, crazy governor Scott made certain in 2011 that any public official trying to pass a local ordinance or otherwise prevent this would be removed, fined $5,000 and barred from using public resources to defend him/herself

But nothing says we can't flood to the Governor's email, the Mayor's email. Nothing says we cannot shame this city, this state, this nation gone insane.

Sometimes I'm so shocked by our irrationality I'm at a loss for words. Tonight is such a night. Tonight our little community, my son, my neighbors -- we need your help. Please. Call. Email. Tweet. Share. Raise hell, because hell has visited upon our quiet little neighborhood, our city, our state, our nation.

FL Governor: http://www.flgov.com/...

Mayor's office: mayor@stpete.org (727) 893-7201

Local media:

ABC Action News: News Tip line: 1-866-428-NEWS newstips@wfts.com

NBC News Channel *: 1-800-348-WFLA news@wfla.com

Interview question for Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, both Republican hopefuls for president in 2016:



"Do you agree with the NRA and your Republican colleagues that people should be allowed to have their own outdoor gun ranges in their front and back yards, even with children playing and sleeping just feet away?"

Interview question for Busk and Rubio, take 2:

"Rational people can debate the meaning of the "right to bear arms" until the come home, but please tell me where is the right to discharge those arms...in a residential neighborhood...at any time."

Interview question for Bush & Rubio, take 3:



"Why do Republican reject my property rights?"

Interview question for Bush and Rubio, take 4:

"Please explain to me how unregulated shooting of guns in residential neighborhoods is about freedom."

Interview question for Bush and Rubio, take 5:

"So then you think it perfectly acceptable and reasonable me setting up a gun range literally a few feet from your children's bedroom window? Or on the other side of the fence where your wife might be gardening?"

Question for Bush and Rubio, take 6:

"Help me understand Stand Your Ground, please. I have a neighbor shooting assault rifles a few feet from my backyard. I am in existential fear of my childrens' lives. Does Florida law mean I can kill him in self defense or that I simply have to live with it until his bullet passes through my kid, and then I can kill him?"

UPDATE - 1:21 P.M. EDT -- I've taken several actions that may yield results:

I had the luck to run into the former mayor Bill Foster. He did not believe this to be true; then he looked up the statute and was as shocked as the rest of us. I also spoke with a local guy who is very plugged in. He has called the head of SWAT in the city and they are going to keep an eye out. Also, my buddy knows Jeff Brandes, (you can help, his number is (727) 552-2745 and his email link is https://www.flsenate.gov/...)

who is a prominent state senator. We are going to make certain he gets an earful until he enters a bill that at least puts some boundaries to this law, such as a 500' rule, time limits, etc. He's a GOP senator, but I've met him briefly before (he would not remember) and my friend has had frequent interaction and says he is at least sane.

I've also called my nephew who is a state prosecutor near DC and he's linking the DKos article to a community of state and federal prosecutors.

The local police chief has also been notified, as have a few prominent citizens. Basically, I'm just trying to stir up the pot and embarrass the state. Top down and bottom up through this outlet.



Sorry, tried to add more pictures, but I'm not able to for some reason.

I edited the locations after looking more closely at the relative position with my neighbor.

We've created a Twitter hashtag: #frontyardgunrange

State representative Darryl Rouson came by personally today and tried to talk sense to the men at this property. As he said, "This is a life and death issue." He will forward a bill to close the gaps in the law that enables this. Please offer him your support and contact your representatives to tell them you don't want this next door to you either, so they'd better sign on.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/...

State Senator Jeff Brandes, a City of St. Petersburg Republican, issued the following statement Monday afternoon. He deserves props for doing so:

"Reasonable people would agree that it is inappropriate and dangerous to operate a backyard shooting range with firearms in a residential neighborhood. As a combat veteran I can’t imagine that there is any way that a backyard shooting range like this can be operated safely. If this individual fires his weapon in this backyard shooting range I believe that he is committing a crime. Law enforcement is empowered by state law to arrest this individual if they believe he is acting recklessly or negligently."

Democratic Mayor Kriseman has just weighed in with a BOLD statement:



"It's a ridiculous situation and we are going to put a stop to it,'' Kriseman said. "If it's not reckless and negligent to have a gun range in the middle of all these houses, then I don't know the definition of those words.



"... If they want to sue us, then let them sue us. My No. 1 job is public safety … and those residents are not safe right now.''

I just signed the petition "Florida State House, Florida State Senate, Florida Governor: Expressly prohibit by law the creation or use of outdoor gun ranges in all land zones primarily for residential use and within 500 feet from any occupied dwelling, including off hours when residents or employees may not be present." and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.

Our goal is to reach 1,000,000 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/...

We thank you,

Patrick Leary

http://www.dailykos.com/...

Maybe our neighborhood dodges the bullet, literally, but it is still permissible by law and that has to change.

I have read numerous online claims that this is all a conspiracy by "librul' loons" for a gun grab because in seeing that picture of the "range" other gun owners refuse to believe anyone would be that foolish. Oh I wish that were so. We invite you down here and I'll personally walk you to his house so you can ask him. Yes, people ARE that foolish as to build a pile sand with an occupied right behind it and beside it and say they've built a safe "gun range."

HB623 has been entered to ban residential gun ranges. Go here to support the effort. https://www.facebook.com/...