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left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
Wed Jan 12, 2022, 02:28 PM Jan 2022

Florida mother shot by men target practicing next door

A Florida woman suffered a serious gunshot wound in her backyard after being hit by a bullet fired from a high-powered rifle from neighbors who were next door target shooting. Heather Sitton of Indiantown, Fl, told TV station WPBF that she and her family including three children were out in her backyard with some friends getting ready for a mule ride in the mostly rural town in inland Martin County.

The station reported that a bullet entered Sitton’s right arm, shattered the bone, exited the arm, then hit her clavicle and left artery. Sitton told the station that her 8-year-old daughter had just been standing in that area moments before, as well. Sitton was hospitalized with the injury.

Martin County sheriff’s detectives determined the shot likely came from a neighbor’s property where four people were taking turns with one rifle aiming at paper targets on a 5-foot-tall berm, but the bullet went high, traveling about 900 feet and into Sitton’s yard, according to the station.

Martin County Chief Deputy John Budensiek told the station that target practice is not illegal, and investigators could not determine which of the four individuals had fired the round. While the incident is under investigation, no charges have been filed.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/florida/os-ne-florida-mom-shot-neighbors-shooting-practice-20220111-36iw6sbrqfcedf4iob5yjjkd7y-story.html

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Florida mother shot by men target practicing next door (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 OP
Target practice is not illegal? But surely there are some parameters. captain queeg Jan 2022 #1
Myth of "responsible gun-owners." Hoyt Jan 2022 #2
Sue All Four For Damages Me. Jan 2022 #3
Soak the hell out of them in civil court. lpbk2713 Jan 2022 #4
Sue them all. Srkdqltr Jan 2022 #5
Sounds like they could use some more practice Walleye Jan 2022 #6
Would missing a five foot berm count as... ret5hd Jan 2022 #7
Exactly right Walleye Jan 2022 #12
Lol Gregory Peccary Jan 2022 #8
Thanks, I am prone to that every once in a while.Come from newspaper job. Walleye Jan 2022 #13
Perfectly legal. No charges. Gregory Peccary Jan 2022 #9
These idiots need to go to jail LetMyPeopleVote Jan 2022 #10
A genuine danger in rural areas... allegorical oracle Jan 2022 #11
People Control, Not Gun Control Sancho Jan 2022 #14
Yep ... Seen it before, and before left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 #15

ret5hd

(20,482 posts)
7. Would missing a five foot berm count as...
Wed Jan 12, 2022, 03:04 PM
Jan 2022

not being able to hit the side of a barn?

In my opinion, yes. Yes it does.

allegorical oracle

(2,357 posts)
11. A genuine danger in rural areas...
Wed Jan 12, 2022, 03:26 PM
Jan 2022

I live in rural Fla and worry about these incidents, especially since so many of these yahoos seem to enjoy shooting after they're falling-down drunk. New Year's eve sounded in my area like a Civil War battle was under way. Plus, they've never figured out that when shot into the air, bullets tend to fall back down.

Sancho

(9,067 posts)
14. People Control, Not Gun Control
Thu Jan 13, 2022, 12:50 AM
Jan 2022

This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70’s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that weren’t secured are out of control in our society. As such, here’s what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. I’m not debating the legal language, I just think it’s the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because it’s clear that they should never have had a gun.

1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learner’s license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.

Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a driver’s license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.

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