Fighting backyard gun ranges in the ‘Gunshine State’
Every Wednesday afternoon, Doug Varrieur steps into his backyard in the Florida Keys, aims his .380 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol and fires shots that ricochet through city halls around the state. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Reuters photographer Andrew Innerarity visited the backyard gun range, as seen below.
- A pair of unloaded pistols sit on Doug Varrieur’s firing range table in the yard of his home in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Everlyn Varrieur sits on the dock of her home, next to her son Doug Varrieur who set up a practice firing range in the yard of his home in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. The mother acts as a safety officer for the son, watching for boats and people who might happen to pass behind the backstop to the firing range. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- John Hayden (L) and his wife Everlyn Varrieur walk to their home, which is next to their son Doug Varrieur who set up a practice firing range in the yard of his home in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. The parents act as safety officers for their son, watching for boats and people who might happen to pass behind the backstop to the firing range. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Everlyn Varrieur (L) chats from her yard, across the fence with her son Doug Varrieur (R) who set up a practice firing range in the yard of his home in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Doug Varrieur’s target is seen on the firing range in his home’s yard in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Doug Varrieur practices his firing stance on the firing range with an unloaded weapon in the yard of his home in Big Pine Keys in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Doug Varrieur chats with a friend at the firing range in the yard of his home in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Doug Varrieur handles a handgun on a table at the firing range in the yard of his home in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Huie Gordon (L) a retired Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy and neighbor of Doug Varrieur pose in front of their target and backstop with unloaded weapons in the yard of Varrieur’s home in Big Pine Keys in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Doug Varrieur displays some .38 caliber ammunition on the firing range he set up in the yard of his home in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Doug Varrieur walks to his home in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Wearing two revolvers, Doug Varrieur poses at a gate to his home in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- A sign placed by a neighbor is seen at the intersection closest to the home of Doug Varrieur in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Huie Gordon, a retired Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy and neighbor of Doug Varrieur (wearing his twin revolvers) chat in the yard of Varrieur’s home in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Huie Gordon, a retired Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy and neighbor of Doug Varrieur (R) prepare to practice their firing stances with unloaded weapons in the yard of Varrieur’s home in Big Pine Keys in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Doug Varrieur walks behind the backstop of his practice firing range in the yard of his home in Big Pine Keys in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Doug Varrieur (L) and Huie Gordon, his friend, neighbor and retired Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy prepare to practice their firing stances with unloaded weapons in the yard of Varrieur’s home in Big Pine Keys in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
- Doug Varrieur (L) and Huie Gordon, his friend, neighbor and retired Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy practice their firing stance with unloaded weapons in the yard of Varrieur’s home in Big Pine Keys in the Florida Keys March 5, 2014. Varrieur, 57, discovered a little-noticed part of Florida law which prohibits local governments from restricting gun rights in any way, and in December he set up a personal gun range on his property in a residential subdivision. Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it. Picture taken March 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)
Neighbors were outraged by the live gunfire, but their surprise was nothing compared to that of municipal leaders, who were shocked to realize there was nothing they could do about it.
“The rational gun owners I speak to realize this is lunacy,” said Michael Ryan, the mayor of Sunrise, in southeast Florida.
Ryan, a lawyer by trade, is one of numerous city and county leaders now trying to regain some control over recreational gunfire in their communities, particularly in dense urban zones.
Palm Beach and Broward counties in south Florida have a lawsuit pending to overturn the law, noting that it forced them to rescind restrictions, for example, on taking guns into child care facilities.
But in a state known as the “Gunshine State” for its loose gun laws, few expect the Republican-dominated Florida legislature to make any changes.
“You can slice and dice it anyway you want, but there’s an accident waiting to happen,” said Rick Ramsay, the Sheriff of Monroe County, where Varrieur’s gun range is located.
Ramsay and Ryan point to the death of 69-year-old Bruce Fleming in Deltona near Orlando on Christmas morning. Fleming was struck apparently by accident by a shotgun blast from a neighbor’s property. The shooting remains under investigation.
Varrieur, an author of diet books, set up his shooting target on December 26 after he and his wife bought his-and-her pistols for Christmas, and baulked at the 70-mile round trip to the nearest commercial gun range to practice shooting.
Under Florida Statute 790, gun control is solely under state, not local, jurisdiction. The only state restriction on recreational shooting on private residential property is that the bullets cannot fly over a paved public road or an occupied dwelling, and that shots cannot be “reckless or negligent.”
Ramsay said he believes a shooter could be arrested if a deputy witnesses a bullet flying over his or her property lines under the “reckless or negligent” prohibition in the law. But Ramsay said he has instructed his deputies to seek legal advice before attempting an arrest.
“The irony is if someone wants to put in an addition to their home or an in-ground pool, they have to come through code enforcement and zoning. Here we can’t say anything,” Ryan said.
– Barbara Liston, Reuters [Read the full story]