To: "Our Readers Opinions"
The Chronicle
P.O. Box 580
Centralia WA 98531
Recently, The Chronicle has carried several articles and letters concerning the firing range near Vader. Some folks are distressed by the gunfire, while others say they sleep through it. Some say traffic noise is louder than the shooting, and others say the firing range was there first, so "quit complaining."
I, too, have experience with a firing range. I moved to Lewis County 27 years ago. A few years ago a firing range was set up across the road. Now gunfire may be heard any day, especially weekends and holidays, and as late as 10:00pm. When approached by a family member, the owner stated that he could do anything he wanted to on his property. But what about my property? I am now forced to be a part of a firing range, because even indoors I can t screen out the noise.
In Lewis County we hear a great deal about rights, and this is an important issue, but I have heard little about duties. All civilized societies acknowledge that for every right there is a corresponding duty. One has a right to drive on public roads, and a duty to do so within the rules. My neighbor has a right to build a firing range on his property, and a duty to keep the noise from intruding on my property; just as dairymen have rights to spread cow manure on their pastures, but a duty to keep it out of public waters flowing by their properties. When these duties are ignored, the State may, and does, intervene to create and enforce laws. Laws are the codification of our common duties, our common obligations to our neighbors.
While firing ranges are not illegal, they may fall into the category of "public nuisance", as defined in RCW 7.48.010 which states in part: " whatever is injurious to health or indecent or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to essentially interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property, is a nuisance and the subject of an action for damages and other and further relief."
But, while the State avows that each citizen has the right to " the comfortable enjoyment of life and property ," the only way to attain that right in Lewis County is by taking the offender to court. This is beyond the means of most people, and tends to increase division and bitterness.
Something else is needed, and that something is more responsive county government. Our county commissioners have both moral and legal duties to promulgate rules which guarantee basic rights to all citizens. Reasonable rules about firing ranges might include requirements that they be enclosed in a building to contain the noise, or that they be located sufficiently far from peoples homes that noise is not an issue.
If there is a will to do so, rules can be put forth which are balanced and fair, protecting the rights of shooters and non-shooters alike. We must expect no less.
Signed: Mack Knutsen
From: Dr. Mack Knutsen
3414 Centralia Alpha Rd.
Onalaska WA 98570
Ph.: 360-978-4132