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Is it legal to shoot a firearm anywhere in the deserts around Las Vegas?
Is it legal to shoot a firearm in the deserts around Vegas?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 | 2 a.m.
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The headline on the gun shop poster might say so, but the fine print is more complicated.
So before you dash out and fill the hills with lead, there are a few things to be aware of.
First, shooting is prohibited in the Las Vegas Valley. (After you finish laughing, please read on.) Beyond the valley’s borders, federal caregivers have some general restrictions:
• No shooting within 1,000 feet of homes and roads, or over any roadway;
• Glass targets are prohibited;
• Always use a safe backdrop and carry out litter, including shell casings.
Each federal agency has more specific restrictions.
In areas controlled by the Bureau of Land Management, shooting is allowed except at Apex, the Nellis Dunes, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and Sunrise Mountain.
On land controlled by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — most notably the 1.6 million-acre Desert National Wildlife Refuge north of Las Vegas — shooting is prohibited unless you’re hunting with the appropriate paperwork.
The Forest Service allows shooting on the 316,000 acres it controls in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, provided gunslingers abide by local and state laws. (A favorite spot is near the Lovell Group Campsite on Lovell Canyon Road, off State Route 160, officials said.)
Judy Suing, a spokeswoman for the Forest Service, said the agency does ask people using firearms to avoid heavily vegetated areas because of the potential for fires.
Discussion: 58 comments so far…
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The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Never in Illinois. But out where there is BLM land galore, this is a pretty neat perk.
Government may call it "allowed" or "permitted" or "compliance." The actual terminology is this "chills" (common dictionary definition is "to depress; discourage; deter") our exercise of liberties protected by the Second Amendment on the land we collectively own.
Proves how far off its leash government has strayed.
People who bring trash to shoot at - old TVs, and assorted junk ruin the image of gun owners. I wish some of the stimulus money would go to clean up desert shooting areas. Youth groups and others should get involved.
Good point, KillerB.
How does the federal government "own" all that land in the first place?
I'm a member of Nevada Shooters and we went out to lovell canyon 2 weeks ago for a shooting get together and at the end of the shoot spent about an hour cleaning up the area and hauling off about 2 truck loads of trash to help keep this area clean.
"How does the federal government "own" all that land in the first place?"
They've owned it since the Mexican Cession of 1848. Who do you think the Mexicans ceded it to? The U.S. Government, of course. What isn't U.S. Government land anymore is that way because they either sold it off or gave it away. Of course, 86% of Nevada still belongs to the U.S. Government.
If this is government (controlled) land then it would belong to all citizens of either the U.S. for federal or citizens of Nevada for state.
Since we elect representatives at both the state and federal level to act for us then our elected officials and anyone they appoint would be acting as though they were us.
If they acting for us deem to restrict activity on this land how is this any different than you or me saying that firearm use is not allowed on our personal property?
I guess its OK to shoot in NLV, happens every night.
This is now the "most read" article. Does that mean there will be some people hitting the desert this weekend with their Bushmaster and Barrett rifles?
mred is right. These people who think used targets and spent shell casings can be left in the desert are the reason more and more communities have limited shooting to approved ranges. I can't imagine it will be long before we're faced with the same restrictions here in Nevada, given that a disturbing number of shooters seem to find it difficult or unnecessary to clean up after themselves. Owning a gun may be a right, but firing it is a whole other story. People who trash these desert shooting ranges give other gun enthusiasts a bad name, and they make all gun owners look like irresponsible hillbillies.
All this wierd American culture, shooting things out in the desert, when will you ever ever grow up. The date today is July 2nd 2009, not July 2nd 1709. 200 years ago "you" were allowed, well almost forced to go out and kill people, and destroy things, but believe it or not, the rest of the world has grown up and dont do this sort of thing anymore, so, put away your playthings (guns) and move on with life.
Hey uddeboda >>>>> The next time Europe falls on its a#s and your unarmed society can't help itself don't call us anymore fix it yourself. Also in about 15 to 20 years from now enjoy your muslim majority.
Power Play,
Stop pretending that the USA is the policeman of the world. We didnt ask you to come and fix IT, several years late on both accounts, you realised that without Europe the USA would be an isolated country with no one to do any business with, and now you got stationed here, you thought it best to stay and keep things safe. Wake up, you are only looking after Nr 1, the USA, which by the way, incase you havent noticed you are no longer Nr 1, only a bankrupt nation hanging on by borrowed money, and debts that will cripple the USA for decades to come.
NLV for the 4th!!! Bring your AK-47, coo coo coo boogity boogity boogity, let's go huntin boys!!!
uddeboda
as u obviously despise and disrespect our american way of life and "weird american culture", why don't u just go back where u came from???
justanaveragejoe,
Now now, dont get snotty.
Disrespect to American way of life, out in the desert shooting up anything that moves or stands still, now that is wierd.
Watch out for the guys with the Barrett 50's. But if they can afford to feed those they could probably buy the area.
uddeboda,
now now, don't get any more uppity and condescending and i won't get snotty.
this is not the first time you have attacked the american way of life. i highly doubt if i were to go live in whatever european country u came from, that i would be very welcome or popular if i spent my time talking about how much better my country is than this one, etc.
you are a guest. please try to at least act gracious.
Hey; just an average joe >>>>> I think that ( uddeboda) once said that he now lives in Sweden i guess that he could not handle it here. To many self-sufficient people here for his taste i guess. SOME PEOPLE JUST LOVE SOCIALISM >>>>> YUK
Well hopefully he or she or whatever does live in Sweden now. I think it's a horrible thing when people come to this country and the bash it up and down. Why be here if it sucks so bad? Clearly your country wasn't a whole lot better if you decided to come here, right? If you want to come to this country and be a contributing citizen then great but if you want to sit around and complain about how horrible the US is, feel free to pack your crap and get out. We don't need any competition for the benefits that we so graciously share with you!
future RN
I agree with u wholeheartedly. that's one of the fun things about posting on these articles. we can completely disagree on one or many topics, and than on just as many find compete agreement. we are all complex individuals aren't we....
Joe, are you being nice for the all the mean previous posts! haha! j/k. At least we can somewhat agree to disagree although I still do hope at some point you will understand some points that I try to make to you!
future RN,
it's all good! it's never been about not understanding, just disagreements of opinion. we are all a product of our own diverse, varied, and unique experiences.
and POWERPLAY,
man I couldn't agree with u more. it totally blows my mind how some people want their government to do everything for them including wiping their noses and tucking them in at night.
JUST TO CLEAR UP ONE THING!!!!!!!
I do not live in the USA, nor have I any wish to do so, but as long as this opinion site is freely open for all to comment on then I shall continue to do so.
I can understand that you do not like a foreigner looking in on the American way of life and making comments on it, but, its a free country, so like it or lump it.
SO GLAD YOU COULD CLEAR THAT UP FOR US! NOW WE CAN GO ON WITH OUR LIVES!! LMAO!
Man, I feel better now that I was able to scream that out of my system. Do you feel better uddeboda? I hope so! :o) For not living in the USA and not caring to live here, you sure have a great interest in reading about our happenings. Or are you just that much of a loser that you have nothing else better to do with your time? So sad! BTW, I think it's my country that's free, probably not as much yours!
future RN,
Why shouldnt I take an interest in you and your happenings. Us Europeans are not like you, who still believe that the world is flat, and if one sails to far away from the American coastline you fall off. Its not true, no matter what you have been told in school.
About GUNS,
Warning, guns are dangerous. Do not use indoors or place in mouth, but remember to keep shooting Al Queda members. Do not let people under the age of 3 months handle guns. Bullets not included. Please make sure the barrel is pointed at everyone but you.
You are igorant! But that's okay, us stupid Americans need humor and let's face it, you provide that with your ignorant comments, and all free of charge! The world isn't flat? I feel so misled. You Europeans are so lucky to have been taught the correct information, to be taught that the world is in fact round. I for one would take no interest in another state let alone another countrys newspapers website, especially if I despised the people who occupied that land. I simply don't have time to worry that much about other people. Clearly you are bored and lonely.
BTW, thanks for the info on guns. Being a gun owner, I had no idea about any of that. However did I make it all these years without your solid information?
The headline on this story is wrong: There is only ONE desert around Las Vegas (as it relates to this story) -- it's called the Mojave Desert.
future RN, the gun info was a joke, have a laugh. I am not lonely or bored, its being so cheerful ragging you Americans that keeps me going.
Where would we be without jokes.
uddeboda
so we think the earth is flat? i guess we used that information when WE PUT A MAN ON THE MOON!
what has your little piss ant country done? besides capitulating to the germans in 2 world wars i mean......
and yes it's a free country, and we LOVE IT!!
and so we will continue to put insignificant little people like u in your place when u speak out of turn, about things that u know nothing of.
like it or lump it.
Thanks JOE for your reply. I sometimes post comments meant to wake people up, so I dont take offence to what you write.
Just one small point, Sweden did not capitulate to the germans in either of the WWs, we were a neutral country during both wars, and have continued to be neutral ever since, with NO connections to any alliance.
I am pleased you are enjoying your free country, enjoy it while you can, the down side is not all that far away, especially when one thinks of the huge deficit the USA has got, about $58 trillion. Whos going to pay this, guess, its you the average man on the street.
Like it or lump it.
I'll like it, AND lump it.
that is what us Americans do.
that is why we have built the most powerful, productive country in the history of the world, with the highest standard of living of any industrialized nation.
AMEN!
All I can say is thank God that the NSA will be helping out on cybercrime. Because it certainly is a crime that 'uddeboda' is allowed to post here and stir up trouble. By the way doesn't 'uddeboda' mean terrorist in Swedish? Once the NSA gets a peek at your IP, let us see how far you get if you decide to leave Stockholm and come to the U.S.A. They're gonna turn you around and boot your butt back to Sweden.
And don't think that we don't know that Sweden is behind the big push at the UN to outlaw personal firearms. Neutral my keister. God bless the National Rifle Association, if it wasn't for them we'd be throwing rocks in Afagn and Iraq.
You have to love this place; Ron White was very much correct.
replies to 2 comments, Joe, The only thing the USA is powerful with, is its military. regarding being a productive country, those times are gone gone gone. You are way down the list, I think about 11th place just now, and slipping further and further into the swamp of deficits, how you will ever get out I do not know. As far as having the highest stabdard of living, this again is wrong, and once again you are way down the list, i do believe you BNP is less than $50000, several countries including Sweden are way above you, Norway is Nr 1 with a BNP of over $100000.
Soapbox,
Dont worry about uddeboda, he is only adressing problems as he sees them, this is no crime, and if you yanks cant take criticism, tough sh#t.
Sweden has a long history of being Neutral doesn't it, but it seems it wants to profit from its neutrality, look at its behaviour in the second world war
Allowing the Wehrmacht to use Swedish railways to transport the 163rd Infantry Division "Division Engelbrecht", along with war material freight, i.e., howitzers, tanks and anti-aircraft weapons and associated ammunition, from Norway to Finland
Transiting soldiers on leave between Norway and Germany - The so called permitenttrafik.
Training "Police Forces" for use in Denmark and Norway, after the Nazi defeat.
Producing and exporting weapons to both the Axis and the Allied powers notably the Bofors Company selling Naval guns to both sides.
Throughout the war, the Swedish policy favored the side currently having the upper hand, but were always opposing Soviet interests.
I am a European that comes to the States about 4 times a year and I really like it there the people are so freindly and Nice, I have Travelled extensively through the world and it still is one of the places that I would consider moving to.
C
callumkn
As a European you may or may not know that the USA were trading heavily with Nazi Germany all the time Britain was defending herself. The USA did of course get involved in the 2ndWW late again as usual, but of course without the help of the Americans and their industrial might, things could have been different.
As you say, Sweden has for a long time been a neutral country, and thereby can trade with whom she cares too, both the Nazis and the Allieds. The same applies to the USA, a country that was neutral until Dec 41, and up until that time had considerable trade dealings with the Nazis. Transporting soldiers and equipment was thought at the time to be better than get involved in the war, although Sweden did valiant service taking care of and seeing that the downed aircrews got back to Britiain safely, as well as taking in vast numbers of Allied soldiers from Norway. These are some of the things that people fail to mention. I was born British and lived thru the blitz for weeks and months on end, so I know about war, and admire the Swedes for trying to remain neutral at all costs.
Uddeboda
In January 1946, Sweden handed over 146 Baltic and 2,364 German soldiers who had been interned in Swedish prison camps to the Soviet Union. At least seven of the internees committed suicide during the process, the rest undoubtably were killed by the Soviets pretty nice for the Swede's to do eh ?.
I am wondering why you seem to spend so much time on this site, why do you not spend more time on Swedish sites correcting them ?, I would have thought there was plenty for you to do venting your frustration at the rise of the Neo_nazi factions within Sweden.
Or The fact that the Swedish Government and establishment feel that to have a strong national identity is wrong, cases of school principles banning pupils from wearing football tops for school photographs in case anybody is offended by the national flag.
I am not agreeing with the US stance on Islonationism during the last war, at least they did join in, the swedish prime minister could not care about any other nation apart from his own the world would be a very different place if the restof the european countries did this too.
Why not find a nice Swedish or Nordic blog to contribute to?
C
Is it legal to shoot a firearm question is really dependent on where and at what. For example, you may be able to shoot a firearm within city limits if it is at a licensed indoor range. That is why I say it depends. http://www.isitlegalto.com has some great discussions on this.
callum
So, whats the problem with handing over Germans or those who aided the Germans during the war, to the Soviets, do not forget the many 1000s of jews and allied service men that the Swedes rescued or saved during the war.
Your mention about the offending the flag, please give more info, I dont know what you are refering to.. The reason why the Swedish nation did not "join in" as you crudely put it, has nothing to do with not wanting or wanting, its a matter of neutrality. Sweden is not the only nation that respects neutrality, the USA is one of those countries that does not respect neutrality. You are not the first nor the last to tell me to fluck off or likewise, but as long as this site reamins open for anyone including myself, then thats how it is. If you dont like what I write, then dont get involved.
Uddeboda
Did the Swedish Government hand over the Swedish nationals who joined the Waffen-SS ?, As well as the germans they handed over the Latvians and estonians who had not fought with the Germans, they did not want to go to the USSR but were forcefully repariated by the Swedes.
I like many of millions of others have worn our countries uniform to defend stronger principles than neutrality at all costs, I have served in several conflicts with NATO, due you feel it is ok for innocent civilians to be massacred so that your country etains its neutrality ?
These posts are very far from the original post that started off this thread, I do not want you to "shut up" as this is part of the freedoms that we all enjoy in the free world because nations have gotten off the fence.
As for whether it is ok for people to own and enjoy Firearms and target practice, well you live so far away in your nice little neutral country its not really got anything to do with you has it ?
I shall leave it at that.
http://welcometosweden.blogspot.com/2007...
Forgot to add this
callumkn
great posts!
and uddeboda
you're just another example of what happens to the biggest, baddest kid on the block, the United States, there are always people trying to tear u down. especially people from unimportant insignificant little socialist countries which have NEVER had even 15 seconds on the world stage. its caused by one of the oldest human emotions: jealousy.
Some things from Sweden that are good:
Bikini Team
Meatballs
& Dynamite (thanks to the great Swede, Alfred Nobel)
It is OK to shoot a firearm in Las vegas metro area, but only if you are shooting a politician,(Oscar Goodman excluded) Lawyer, or a really obnoxious used car salesman. But if you hit an innocent passerby it is definitely murder one.
Joe,
Jealous of the USA, now that is the joke of the year. The USA is racing towards bankruptcy, you just cant see that, dont you see that a country with unfunded liabilities of $58000000000000 is heading for disaster. Thats $58 trillion.
Your other comments I will ignore, coming from an ignorant mind.
Captainamerica,
i would add timeshare salesmen and the porn-slappers(people who hand out the girls to your door cards) to your list too !!
Uddeboda
I thought that you would dodge the hard questions.
You make some rather good points on other threads about finance and Green issues, then rather spoil it by going on a rant about how the US is so bad.
Please can you explain why you feel the need to do this, Also why on the Las Vegas Sun's pages ?, why not the New York Times ? for a wider audience.
I have seen the comments that you have made on other sites and they seem to be rather the same as here, you follow the pattern of making a comment then when someone puts a comment back you drag it to the level of USA bashing telling all and sundry why the US is bad, why do you feel the need to do this ?.
Once again I am not trying to shut you up I am just wondering why you spend so much of your time doing this, I would reason that as you are in your 70's now you dont have a lot else to do, but why not use your time in a more constructive manner.
C
Why dont I use my time in a more constructive manner.
But that is what I am doing. As an outside looking in, it is easier to find points to critisise, and when it comes to the USA, there sure are many things to critisise
There is FINANCE
There is the environment.
There is the military presence in countries across the world.
There is the American attitude, that is do as we say or else.
You ask why comment in the L V Sun, why not, you are fair game, and I am always getting comments back. This is not about being nasty or anything like that, its just about discussing things. These discussions usually die off after a day or so, so theres not harm done, apart from ruffling a few feathers.
There are times when I wish some of you would get at my home country, it happens on and off, but this is all good fun, and no harm meant from my side, and I think, not from you either.
Uddeboda
Why not concentrate on your own problems in finance, the 90 billion Krona that your own government is having to find
http://www.thelocal.se/16934/20090115/
Considering you are a land of less than 10 million that is a lot of money to find
As for Military presence around the world we have already covered this, the swedes would rather people killed eath other than intervene (your precious neutrality policy)
As for attitude as I have said before the American populace is one of the most polite I have ever encountered, I have also spent a lot of Time in Sweden too and I would rather be in the USA.
The one thing the USA has right is the taxes, what is the income tax and social security level of taxation in Sweden ?
Why not have a nice trip to MalasKog for the day, or try taking up geology or fishing, there are plenty of places in the Ljungby area for you to fill your time rather than worrying what the nasty Americans are up to !
C
uddeboda
u write u "wish some of you would get at my home country".
the reason we don't, is because nobody CARES about your home country. it's an insignificant little bit player on the world stage, neither important enough or interesting enough for any of us to care.
just like you.
Just an average joe,
Especially for your eyes only. here are a few of the inventions that have beriched the world, from in your own words, an insignificant little bit player, neither interesting or important.
Some of the Swedish inventions that have helped the world forward.
Centigrade thermometer
Propeller
Detonating cap
Cream separator
Blow lamp
Universal pipe wrench
Adjustable spanner
Ljungstroem turbine
Milking machine
Zipper
Spherical ball bearing
Refridgerator without moving parts
Ultracentrifugation
Tetra pak, milk cartons etc
Other invention before industrial revolution, include
1652 Lymphatic system
1700s iron ore mining methods
1700s Carl von Linne plant and animal classifications
1700 oxygen discovery
1818 Atomic masses tables
Modern spectroscopy
After 1870
Dalen Aga lighthouse invention
LM Ericsson telephone handset 1885
Wenstrom Electric 3 phase system
After 1940
Tetra pak dairy product containers
ASEA High voltage DC
Frigo Skandia, Flash freezing vegetables
LM Ericsson, the AXE telephone exchanges
1979 ferroelectric liquid systems, later sold to Sony, the forerunner to flat screens
Hakan Lans invented the digitizer, later to be the computer mouse, also invented the GPS
Astra invented Xylocain drug
Electrophorsis invented 1940
Intravenous feeding also 1940
Osseointegration, teeth implants 1950
Hertz 1950 electrocardiography
Elmquist 1958 Pacemaker, same year worlds 1st op in Stockholm
Leksell 1968 Laser Knife, brain surgery
Inhalator for asthma patients
Many of the modern drugs include Aptin, Bricanyl, Seloken, Losec, Nexicum
DYNAMITE, without which the USA would still be using black powder
callum, as you say $11bn deficit is a big number for 9.3 million people, approx 1182 per capita, I dont like those fiures either. Ever thought what the USA deficits are, the government calls them unfunded liabilites, per capita, about $188900 give or take a few pennies. Thats a nice little sum of just under $58 trillion
callum, I meant to ask you, your visits to Sweden, were they private, ie vacation, or were they business like, just curious.
Did you ever visit any of our hospitals while in Sweden??
uddeboda,
impressive list! obviously u are proud of your country. why then, do u find it so hard to understand that WE are proud of OUR country, and do not take very kindly to foreigners attacking our uniquely american ideals?
I would make a list of MY countries inventions and accomplishments, but it would fill PAGES and VOLUMES to do so, in comparison to your half page of type.....
and by the way, thank u for helping to strengthen my frequent argument that we are borrowing against our children's futures by following the example of socialist countries (like Sweden!) with our current administrations dangerously out-of-control spending.
Joe,
By all means do come with a list of American inventions, or perhaps I could start the list for you...