Discharging firearm laws? (St.Mary's/Idaho Springs area) (Center, Buena Vista: house, neighborhood)

[skiNEwhere]

I actually live in St. Mary's. I own a couple of firearms and I like to have target practice usually once a month as a refresher. I shoot into a berm, over 300 feet away from any road, so there is no danger to anyone, but I checked the St.Mary's website and I guess someone complained, and now the website says

"We would like to remind residents and visitors that there is NO shooting or
[CENTER]discharging of any type of firearms in the St. Mary's area.
Thank you."

I've looked up the federal and state laws of Colorado and I don't see anything illegal in what I'm doing. I've taken all safety measures possible, and I've looked to see if there are any "official" St.Mary's laws and it doesn't appear like I am breaking any. I'm just a veteran who is trying to stay sharp on his shooting by firing 15-20 rounds a month, but it seems now that people are complaining and the POA is trying to say I can't without any reasoning or legal basis. If someone could clarify this would be appreciated.[/CENTER]

[headingtoDenver]

I don't know anything about St. Mary's, but are you in an HOA? If so, there might be some by-law stating this. If you aren't in an HOA, then I would call the local police for verification. Also, you mentioned people are complaining. Who are they complaining to?

[skiNEwhere]

most likely the POA

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by skiNEwhere

I actually live in St. Mary's. I own a couple of firearms and I like to have target practice usually once a month as a refresher. I shoot into a berm, over 300 feet away from any road, so there is no danger to anyone, but I checked the St.Mary's website and I guess someone complained, and now the website says

"We would like to remind residents and visitors that there is NO shooting or
[CENTER]discharging of any type of firearms in the St. Mary's area.
Thank you."

I've looked up the federal and state laws of Colorado and I don't see anything illegal in what I'm doing. I've taken all safety measures possible, and I've looked to see if there are any "official" St.Mary's laws and it doesn't appear like I am breaking any. I'm just a veteran who is trying to stay sharp on his shooting by firing 15-20 rounds a month, but it seems now that people are complaining and the POA is trying to say I can't without any reasoning or legal basis. If someone could clarify this would be appreciated.[/CENTER]

IDK, but at very least it is incredibly rude (if not dangerous) to be unnecessarily discharging a firearm in a populated area. Many people move to the mountains for the peace and quiet. A neighbor target shooting is going to disrupt that.

Second, looking at Google Maps it looks like most of the roads in that subdivision, are spaced about 300 feet apart. Which makes me doubt that you are actually 300 feet away from the road. 300 feet is the length of a football field. Thats pretty far away from a road. Maybe you are more like 150? If you were actually 300 feet away, probably nobody would have been complaining about it.

[skiNEwhere]

It's pretty loud. I own 24acres, so I have more than 300 feet from the road. I shoot during the day, when everyone is awake, not at night. I'm being as considerate and safe as I can be. There's only 300 people who live in the area, and considerably less in the winter, I wouldn't consider it a populated area. Part of the reason I moved here is to be in a less populated area so that I could do stuff like this

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Personally, I would complain if a new neighbor started discharging firearms in my neighborhood. Especially considering that most people move to a place like St. Mary's for the peace and quiet. Our house in Buena Vista is at least a half mile from a shooting range, and I hate it that I have to listen to the "bang, bang, bang" all day long. I didn't realize that sound travels so far in the wide open spaces.

You say that you think the POA is complaining? Do you know who to contact? Also, you mentioned the St. Mary's website; do they have contact information? Have you checked your covenants?

[ryanek9freak]

POA laws do not prempt state laws, unless otherwise posted. You can shoot in the Pike National forest as long as you're 150yds or farther from a dwelling and use common sense. Firearms are a big part of Colorado and they're not going away anytime soon.

I don't see any problem with what they OP is doing, provided it's not endangering anyone.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

POA laws do not prempt state laws, unless otherwise posted. You can shoot in the Pike National forest as long as you're 150yds or farther from a dwelling and use common sense. Firearms are a big part of Colorado and they're not going away anytime soon.

I don't see any problem with what they OP is doing, provided it's not endangering anyone.

The OP is shooting from his own property in the middle of a subdivision. It's almost a certainty that he is in violation of regulation that you refer to. The POA has already informed him of that fact.

26 1. I 0(d) - Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property as follows:

(1) In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area, or;

(2) Across or on a National Forest System road or a body of water adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge;

(3) Into or within any cave.

[ryanek9freak]

Well, now that actual determination has yet to be made by doing some measuring.

[skiNEwhere]

Can someone actually from Colorado and who actually lives in a rural area respond?