Trouble in Paradise: "The Rules"

Here's an update on the doings at R-Ranch, and the tangled web they're attempting to weave:

Proposed Gun Rules
R-Ranch

These rules apply to all owners and guests of owners as well as employees and their quests, however the Board of Directors may make exceptions for safety and security.

1. All federal, state and county laws must be complied with, as well as forest service rules.

2. No shooting is allowed on the ranch with any type of weapon with the following exceptions:
A. The gun range, or Archery Range.
B. Organize staged gunfights using blank ammunition, approved by the Board of Directors. The Board may delegate this authority.

3. No loaded guns on the ranch. With the following exceptions:
A. The Gun range
B. Organized staged gunfights using blank ammunition.
C. Undeveloped areas of the ranch
D. Board may make future exceptions.

4. No concealed guns are allowed on the ranch. With the exception of law enforcement officers and those who have a valid permit to carry.

5. If transporting fire arms in your vehicle all Federal, State and county laws apply.

6. Handguns if carried must be unloaded and in a holster pointed toward the ground.

7. Rifles and shotguns if carried must be carried in a safe manner either point up in the air or down at the ground.

8. Intentionally pointing any weapon of any kind at anyone is forbidden.

9. Organized staged gunfights using blank ammunition must have the permission of The Board of Director and be announced far enough in advance so as not alarm anyone.

10. Paint ball guns are not to be fired on ranch property.

11. All weapons must be secured when not in use. Cabins are not a safe place to leave a weapon of any kind. All weapons must be secured in your vehicle and out of sight when not in use.

12. Weapons are but not limited to anything that that fires a projectile, such as rifles, pistols, shotguns, B.B. guns, pellet guns, sling shots bows, crossbows etc. Large knifes, swords, spears, axes, anything that can be thrown or has sharp edges.

Without getting into a detailed analysis, these rules are stupid and unenforceable. They result from pure irrational fear that some have when seeing am armed man not in an official state uniform.

If someone is carrying concealed, they will never know. If someone is carrying openly, how will they know if the gun is loaded or not? If they ask to inspect it and are refused, what will they do? More to the point, on what authority would a sheriff's deputy be authorized to conduct an arrest, since no California law will have been violated?

But what really illustrates how this is utter nonsense is the prohibition against carrying loaded firearms except in "undeveloped areas of the Ranch."

The trash bins are all in developed areas.

Guess where the bears are attracted to go?

Guess what Security is passing out at the check-in booth?

I like to think of this as "EXHIBIT A":



"BEARS ARE BACK! Do not feed them! Please be careful when out at night."

In other words, our Board has known for years that there is a very real potential danger to the lives and safety of Ranch vistors. They know there is nothing they do about it. And they insist on creating conditions so there will be nothing anyone can do about it should an attack occur.

I'm not going to reveal my hand here, but I am definitely exploring options on this--beginning with ignoring any stupid rules that endanger my life or the lives of anyone I care about.

RELATED READING:
Trouble in Paradise
A Gathering Storm
Heaven Forbid! More Trouble in Paradise