Recently, Fox 13 Seattle news reporter Lauren Donovan produced a video of a ‘ride-a-long’ with Granite Falls Police Chief Tom Dalton (who is also a Sargent with Snohomish County Sheriff’s Dept), titled “Illegal shooting range in Washington exposed”. It depicts target shooters as deadly, sketchy, scary, Scofflaws, and rebellious bunch of amateurs. Such a ‘Hit’ piece, on recreational target shooting and gun ownership, deserves a rebuttal from a target shooter’s perspective.
They indicate the location to be somewhere on the Mt Baker National Forest, near the Green Mountain area about two and a half miles from private property, however, there is no reference to it’s actual location, nor if that specific location is currently posted as closed to shooting. The ‘No Shooting’ sign, they show in the video, is not a sign prohibiting shooting in that area, it’s a list the rules against shooting within 150 yards of a developed campsite, not to shoot across a body of water and other public safety rules we should all know and adhere to. If that area is actually closed to shooting, the reporter should have noted that. They also do not reference anything from USFS Mt Baker-Snoqualmie Nat Forest officials, who are responsible for the management of that area.
This is public land, where the discharge of a firearm is legal and allowed by law. There are no actual shooting ranges in this area, only dispersed target shooting sites, which is perfectly legal at any location on public land as long as it adheres to the rules or is otherwise posted.
I am Bill Cogley, Founder and President of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Trash No Land, where I promote responsible target shooting on public land by raising awareness of the rules and promoting stewardship of our public lands throughout Washington and Oregon. I started this effort because I love to see nature stay natural, and I enjoy recreational target shooting and hunting. The trash, destruction, and disregard for the shooting laws, is the part I dislike. But at least I’m trying to do something about it while maintaining respect for gun owners and the use of firearms on our public lands. In fact, I respect all forms of recreation and expect everyone to follow their set of recreation rules. The presentation of this video is not respectful at all. I’m ashamed at you for slamming gun owners the way you have rather than trying to improve the situation.
First of all, both the interviewer, Lauren Donovan, and Police Chief, Tom Dalton, clearly have, and support, an agenda to close down shooting on public lands. They tried their very best to paint a picture of how deadly, sketchy and scary ‘these Scofflaws’ and ‘Rebellious bunch of amateurs’, and their guns, are. Yes, they called target shooters “Scofflaws” and “Rebellious bunch of amateurs”! How inclusive is that?
The title of the story: “Illegal shooting range in Washington exposed”, is a ‘shock-and-awe’ click-bate hook that leads people to think there is something illegal about it and this must be a new big secret discovery they have recently exposed, but they never explain what part of it is against the law, (outside of the trash left behind and the damage to natural resources). The destruction and trash part certainly is against the law and those who commit such violations should be cited and fined. So why isn’t that already happening?
Since the time when land was deemed ‘Public’, firearms have been perfectly legal to use on those lands, as long as they are used in a safe manner, not damaging natural resources, not causing potential fire hazards and protecting our environment by removing the trash. If people disobey the law, why isn’t Law Enforcement enforcing the laws?
In the video, Chief Tom Dalton says he believes ‘they’ are practicing for some ‘ungodly reason’. Well, Tom, let’s try to understand the reasons why people target shoot:
It’s in case of a need for self defense. It’s for protection from a tyrannical government, (if that were to ever happen again). It’s to ensure an ethical shot when hunting. It’s recreation. It’s challenging. It hones your marksmanship skills. You learn about yourself and your tools. You gain confidence and self esteem. It’s comradery with fellow shooters. It’s a hobby. It’s collecting. It’s teaching. It’s fun.
Interview some target shooters and those are the answers you’ll get.
It is also supposed to be about stewardship and conservation of our land, but some people don’t get that part as much as others do. Much like other forms of recreation.
Towards the end of the video, they announce a big ‘crack-down’ and anyone caught shooting there will be trespassing! Trespassing? On public land? Again, no explanation of how this is trespassing, nor any explanation of what gives them the authority to do such a ‘crack-down’ on public land. While a ‘crack-down’ on the rules is appropriate, a violation of ‘Trespassing’ is not (unless people are trespassing on private land, but that is not clear in the report). Is it simply that private land owners can give some kind of ‘Authorization’ to crack-down? If that’s the case, I would like to give my authorization for a ‘crack-down’ on littering our city streets, the use of illegal drugs, and all other laws that are currently being overlooked.
The problem is not due to ‘all shooters’, it’s due to some who do not following the laws for shooting on public lands. Yes, like all types of recreation, there are laws for target shooting. Each public land area has a set of rules and all are very similar to each other. It is up to each shooter to seek out and learn those rules. If they don’t, they could, and should, be cited for any violations they may do.
It is sad to see such division in this video. It serves to pit shooters against non-shooters, rather than unite us together towards a positive outcome. The story should have been about raising awareness of the problem, seeking solutions and promoting responsible recreation (but that’s not a shocking attention grabber!). They should have interviewed actual target shooters to hear of their frustrations with the situation. They could have directed people to where you can learn the rules. They may be surprised to learn the number of responsible shooters who are respectful, care about our environment, and are concerned for the conservation of our public lands. They may even realize we are on the same side of wanting to see responsible recreation and a clean/safe forest. But producing a video like this only feeds the flames of dissension amongst Americans. It does nothing to improve quality recreation for anyone on public lands.
So I say, to these two, change your agenda. Start enforcing the legal laws and work on ways to find solutions while respecting everyones rights and beliefs. And Lauren, don’t report on things you are not willing to learn about and report accurately. You will earn more respect and accomplish greater things by reporting about how to improve recreation on our great public lands.
Bill, thank you for your eloquent response to such an inflammatory article. Our community is SO lucky to have you as an advocate. Your dedication and continued contribution is absolutely incredible <3 Seriously, you ROCK!
P.S. I haven't forgotten that I owe you some stickers! This time of year keeps me busy, but I won't let it slip through the cracks 🙂
Excellent response. Sadly the media and it’s owners have a way of sharing a photo, video, or a few words out of order or context that can reshape the entire flow of an article. That bias information twist is what shakes the confidence of people into not believing or trusting.
Bill your write-up was spot on and excellent representation of “Trash No Land” and its supportive nature for use of public lands. Thank you for taking care of business.
Should the media and proper authorities pay attention to the real perpetrators who violate the public land use laws, they would be supporting others who abide, use and protect these lands. Seems that the article was throwing a broad brushed statement or “Net” in order to slam that door entirely, that is a poor representation of their office.
Thank you for standing with confidence and protecting our rights to properly use public lands for firearms practice.
Donate what you can to our General Operating Fund!
Great write up Bill.
Thank you, Craig!
Well said!!
We need more public awareness of the proper recreational laws and best practices when shooting on public lands!!
Absolutely, Chris! I’ve found the news media would rather do stories that divide, rather than unite and help raise awareness!
Thanks for the comment!
Bill
Bill, thank you for your eloquent response to such an inflammatory article. Our community is SO lucky to have you as an advocate. Your dedication and continued contribution is absolutely incredible <3 Seriously, you ROCK!
P.S. I haven't forgotten that I owe you some stickers! This time of year keeps me busy, but I won't let it slip through the cracks 🙂
Brigan! Thank you so much! Speaking of eloquent responses, your response is quite eloquent as well. Thank you!
Excellent response. Sadly the media and it’s owners have a way of sharing a photo, video, or a few words out of order or context that can reshape the entire flow of an article. That bias information twist is what shakes the confidence of people into not believing or trusting.
Bill your write-up was spot on and excellent representation of “Trash No Land” and its supportive nature for use of public lands. Thank you for taking care of business.
Should the media and proper authorities pay attention to the real perpetrators who violate the public land use laws, they would be supporting others who abide, use and protect these lands. Seems that the article was throwing a broad brushed statement or “Net” in order to slam that door entirely, that is a poor representation of their office.
Thank you for standing with confidence and protecting our rights to properly use public lands for firearms practice.
Thank you, Mr. Genter. I appreciate your response.
Bill