TexasCHLforum.com

EEllis, I appreciate your concern and ideas. I'm not just sitting here taking the punches because I want to be a punching bag. My father's only source of income is from this land. Shoot my dad is almost 70, I have a full-time job, and I'm also going to college. Time is my biggest issue, and the fact that the FM has control.

This is not a range. This is private land that we built berms on to be safe while shooting. If I were to have a group like the VFW, 4H,...come we would then need to have insurance, and be counted as if we were a full blown range. I have been told by the FM that I can not have anybody but intimidate family at my land to shoot. He said that my father-in-law couldn't even come and shoot.

Sometimes it's better to lay low, let the temps cool down, then come back at this. Who knows maybe the FM was having a bad week.

TeXJ wrote:I have been told by the FM that I can not have anybody but intimidate family at my land to shoot. He said that my father-in-law couldn't even come and shoot.

But your father-in-law is immediate family...

anygunanywhere wrote:

Jumping Frog wrote:

TeXJ wrote:This is just private land that we are trying to make it as safe as possible. At the moment, not sure what would happen if we had friends come over and shoot. I dont want anybody to get arrested over this.

So basically their intimidation has worked. That's a shame. (Not faulting you, I understand the need for prudence.)

TexJ, call AG Abbott's office. I'll bet a dollar to donuts his office will be over this like a pit bull on a third grader.

Anygunanywhere

39.03. OFFICIAL OPPRESSION.

Dave2 wrote:

TeXJ wrote:I have been told by the FM that I can not have anybody but intimidate family at my land to shoot. He said that my father-in-law couldn't even come and shoot.

But your father-in-law is immediate family...

Yep now you see how weird this is.

This whole thing is screwy. The FM needs someone, somewhere, to slap him down.

Shinesintx wrote:This whole thing is screwy. The FM needs someone, somewhere, to slap him down.

AG Abbott.

Anygunanywhere

YAY Greg!!!! go Greg!!! he's our guy!!! (we need pom poms )

SewTexas wrote:YAY Greg!!!! go Greg!!! he's our guy!!! (we need pom poms )

Attorney General Greg Abbott is on Facebook, that might be a good start to "like" him, send him a message, maybe even reference this thread and see if he can send a "nastygram" to the FM.

Reading post on another thread made me think back to this one. County fire marshals are appointed by the commissioners court. I'm assuming it's Jason Browning giving you the trouble. You might have a conversation with your county commissioner. Heck maybe you can't, well shouldn't, hold events but the idea you can't have your father in law over? Check in with the county judge. Holding you hostage seems a step to far.

I keep reading about this person, here and at other forums, what can be legally done about him and these allegations...

banshee wrote:I keep reading about this person, here and at other forums, what can be legally done about him and these allegations...

Part of the problem is the FM hasn't actually done anything yet. He is using threats of retaliation to keep the landowners inline.It's hard to take action against something that the FM hasn't actually done yet. But, in Texas the county Fire Marshal is appointed by the County Commissioners Court. They are his boss and elected officials. You can complain to them and even bring your complaints to the Commissioners court.

EEllis wrote:

banshee wrote:I keep reading about this person, here and at other forums, what can be legally done about him and these allegations...

Part of the problem is the FM hasn't actually done anything yet. He is using threats of retaliation to keep the landowners inline.It's hard to take action against something that the FM hasn't actually done yet. But, in Texas the county Fire Marshal is appointed by the County Commissioners Court. They are his boss and elected officials. You can complain to them and even bring your complaints to the Commissioners court.

I wouldn't exactly say he hasn't done anything. Quoted from the other thread...

We regret to inform you that Red Zone Ranch has been temporarily shut-down by the Collin County Fire Marshall’s office. They have informed us that we need to have a Certificate of Occupancy even though we do not have a building.

In order to get a certificate of occupancy we have to have an engineer submit a drainage plan for the property as dirt has been moved. This can all be corrected and they Fire Marshall’s Office has said they will work to expedite the process however, any use of the property as a range in the meantime is a violation of County Ordinances.

There were rumors that the EPA got involved, too. They never recovered.

We feel as if our hands are tied, and to be able to have the income, the only income for my parents, coming in off of the land that we have to do as the FM says.

sjfcontrol wrote: I wouldn't exactly say he hasn't done anything. Quoted from the other thread...

Which has nothing to do with this thread or this case

TeXJ wrote:We feel as if our hands are tied, and to be able to have the income, the only income for my parents, coming in off of the land that we have to do as the FM says.

I can understand that. Heck it might be that discretion is the better part in this case and you shouldn't have the 20 people over shooting legal or not. I think tho his comments about your father in law and the threats to deny a permit on a totally separate issue cross the line and it may be worth having an off the record conversation with your County Commissioner or Judge. Maybe you can get it so he backs off a bit and you let him know that any gatherings will be much smaller.