Got in trouble while shooting!!

[wisconsinteacher]

I have been shooting where I rent for 2.5 years and have never had a problem. Tonight I was out shooting my recurve and the village cop stops me and tells me I have to quit and that I can not shoot anymore due to village rules. What I don't get is in the 2.5 years, I have waved to many cops as they drove by and I was holding onto my bow. So now I have to drive 6 miles if I want to shoot my bow. Man this sucks a small village in northern Wisconsin and you can't shoot a bow. What would you do?

[Orion]

Check the village regs first.  Get any new neighbors lately?  Someone probably saw you shooting and complained.  Or, perhaps the cop just felt like exerting some authority.

[pdk25]

Do you have a basement?  I've been shooting in the basement of an apartment complex that is in the middle of a busy northeast town for the last 3 years.  I would guess that I am breaking all kinds of rules, but better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

[Mudd]

1st thing I would do is go to city hall. It might not change anything but I'd suggest you explain yourself, your history, and your safety record there.

Good luck!!

God bless,Mudd

[allanburden]

I would request a copy of the town/village ordinance stating you cannot fire your bow.  As a small town cop, I can tell you that at least in the south, most town ordinances specifically state that you cannot fire a gun/firearm withing the town/city/village limits.  Then go speak with the Chief of Police on the matter.

Sorry, had to edit...left out a few words! LOL

[motorhead7963]

I would request to see the city/village ordinances. If they are telling you that you cannot shoot a short range weapon, PS: if you do make sure what it specifies WEAPON or FIREARM. Abow is not a firearm. just my 2cents

[Arrowhead80]

Tell Barney Fife to suck it.He is probably new and trying to show authority.

[Roger Moerke]

Not unusual, most communities do not allow firing a projectile with in city limits. Not to say it does not happen! In most cases the cops just tell you this is against the law or the ordinance and as yourself we have to find some place else to shoot.

[SL]

Most likely the law will say something about discharge of a weapon. Unfortunaltly a bow is a weapon. I had that happen to me. The cop just told me to get behind a fence- out of sight out of mind.
SL

[FrankM]

He's either new or there was a complaint called in. See if you can tell when his beat is. Then you could shoot at other times. If a different cop comes by, someone complained.

[wisconsinteacher]

He was driving by saw me kept driving 50 more yards then backed up.  I have talked to all the neighbors to let them know what I am doing and when I am shooting so that we are all on the same page.  He is not new, he works the 7-3 shift I think but today was driving around at 6 pm.  I am guessing he picked up a shift or something.

[wisconsinteacher]

Who do I talk to to get a copy of the law?

[homerdave]

wow... that sort of thing is simply beyond my comprehension....   :eek:

[allanburden]

Do you guys have a City/Town/Village Hall or some other type of municipal building that houses your governing body?  There or the police department should have copies of the ordinances on hand.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Go down to City hall.  Ask for a copy of the firearms and any other weapons ordinances for the village.  Make sure to ask for the documents that define what a weapon is under the ordinace.  You will want to check with the City Attorneys Office for these documents.  Read them and then ask specific questions about what they really mean.  Do not tell them what you are doing.  If it says firearms in the ordinace then you can shoot the bow they are not a firearm.  If it says weapons you need to know if a bow is defined as such.  Not to knocks cops here but a some of them don't have a clue what the law really says in a lot of cases.  I work with them all the time at the City I work for.  Some of them are totally out of touch with the ordinaces they are enforcing.  Most are fully informed and are awesome at their jobs.

If you can shoot the bow, have a copy of the ordinance at the house.  If an officer stops to chat again, politely show him the ordinace and definitions and he will then leave you alone.  Never be rude to a man with a gun, much less one with a badge.  Save any arguments you may have for the judge.  They make all the decisions.  The officer is just doing a job just like you do yours every day.

[Groundpounder]

In my township your not allowed to have those little open fire pits that everyone has now for their decks and patios including myself i was wondering if they were legal to have or not since they are open burning .One of the local cops said he wouldnt purposely stop and cite someone ,but if a neighbor called in a complaint,he would be obligated to enforce the law.

[FrankM]

Sounds like the cop was bored. Sometimes they have to drum up something to do.

If it is like a lot of laws, they don't enforce it until someone complains.

Bisch

[Cyclic-Rivers]

in my town I cannot shoot at a park or from or over a town or village maintained path or road.  It says nothing about my back yard or driveway!

So far a few concerned neighbors but no police.  Good luck WI Teacher.

PS you can shoot at the rib mt bowmen if you are close. I got my archery merit badge there.  

[Bjorn]

It is against the law where I live too.....fortunately there is a lot of tree cover and no neighbours nearby.