More people are purchasing firearms. Target shooting has experienced a spike and the demand of shooting space naturally follows that demand.
The town of Londonderry has nearly 1,000 acres of public "conservation" land, purported to be available for all to use. One of the activities that takes place in the Musquash is target shooting. Certainly there is nothing at all wrong with target shooting in and of itself, most might agree. However, there are those presently target shooting in the Musquash who are, for lack of a better descriptor, lazy pigs. Aside from irresponsibly, shooting at locations too close to homes, leaving trash and debris strewn around happens far too often. That is inexcusable.
Cardboard boxes full of empty shotgun shells, shot up beer cans, shell casings, live ammunition, paper targets stapled to trees, overshadow the otherwise responsible people using public land for target shooting.
Unsupervised and minimally maintained public shooting range spaces and public lands inevitably turn into garbage dumps of sorts. Unfortunately, the Musquash Conservation land is given the same treatment in much the same way. The problem is acknowledged. And a problem it is.
Yet, any talk of banning shooting in the conservation land always invites loud and vocal opposition. I also understand that because frequently such issues are used as a stepping stone and context for some who for whatever personal reasons want to ban responsible use.
As reported by the Union Leader's April Guilmet, Londonderry Town Councilor Jim Butler said, "This target shooting we’re seeing here isn’t being done by responsible gun owners.” Butler added, “Responsible gun owners aren’t so careless: they do not leave behind shell casings, cigarette butts, beer cans and live ammo.” Jim Butler is 100% correct and spot on.
But, a typical town council meeting would be "sans replete," without the usual charlatanry that typically follows. Councilor Tom Freda was quoted in the UL article saying, “Hunting (is) far more dangerous than firing at a stationary target,” and, "We know that hundreds of people get shot every year in hunting accidents.” Both of Tom Freda's statements belie the facts.
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the International Hunter Education Association, Hunting with firearms is one of the safest recreational activities in America. NSSF states, The number of hunters who went afield last year is estimated at 16.3 million. Of that total, approximately 8,122 sustained injuries, or 50 per 100,000 participants. The vast majority of hunting accidents--more than 6,600--were tree stand-related. Though recent accurate figures on fatalities related to hunting are not available, statistics from 2002 show 99 fatal hunting accidents.
The injury data NSSF used to compile this hunter-safety report comes from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the Consumer Products Safety Commission 2010 and the International Hunter Education Association's Hunter Incident Clearinghouse. Activity participation figures are from the National Sporting Goods Association Sports Participation in 2010 report.
To put hunting's safety standing into perspective, compared to hunting a person is . . .
- 11 times more likely to be injured playing volleyball
- 19 times more likely to be injured snowboarding
- 25 times more likely to be injured cheerleading or bicycle riding
- 34 times more likely to be injured playing soccer or skateboarding
- 105 more times likely to be injured playing tackle football.
Indeed, there is a significant issue with target shooting on the public land relating to pollution and damage to trees used as target backings. Popping off publicly with hyperbole is neither useful nor helpful.
There is strong evidence to suggest that many in town government simply oppose Hunting and Target Shooting Activities as indicated by various meetings and hearings. For example, the town conservation commission last year gave substantial face time to issues of baiting, tree stands and hunting activities with numerous regulatory suggestions. It was suggested that the commission interface with Fish & Game Conservation Law Enforcement to answer questions and address concerns the commission might have. That suggestion was met with tepid and disinterested attention.
Shooting on Musquash public lands has its own problems. The problem is the discussion seems to inevitably spiral into hunting and ultimately the activities of the Londonderry Fish & Game Club, turning the conversation into a lot of needless drivel, bringing out the solipsistic panderers and whiners.
If town government engages in a fact-based conversation, there might be a reasonable and fair solution. Inversely, if they stick to their solipsisms, everybody goes to their corners and nothing will be accomplished.
