Steve Nelson of Calaveras Tactical has had to close the
doors to his business in the foothills due to a complaint filed with the
Calaveras County Code Compliance Unit.
Nelson has been a NRA firearms instructor, safety instructor
and DOJ (Department of Justice) Instructor since 2006. Added to that expertise
Nelson served as a medic with the USMC beginning in ’91, has trained as a SWAT
Paramedic and is currently a Captain firefighter/paramedic with 25 years experience
in the field.
Nelson began Calaveras Tactical to teach gun safety and use,
from rifles to pistols, from beginner to advanced. Operating as a mobile
business utilizing “multiple privileges at multiple gun ranges from the
foothills to the Bay Area” helped Nelson educate more people on safety, laws,
use and more.
When operating in Copperopolis Nelson utilized a private 70
acre gun range. “The closest habitable structure was ½ mile away according to
the planning department.” Which falls within the California Penal Code section
12001.2(b) requiring that no person shall discharge any firearm within one
hundred fifty yards of any occupied dwelling, house, residence, or other
building or any barn or other outbuilding used in connection therewith.
According to Todd Bar from the Calaveras County Code Compliance
Unit, a complaint was received with regards to a gun range operating in
Copperopolis with many alleged code violations. After receipt of the complaint
an investigation ensued and it was found that Calaveras Tactical was in
violation of one County Code – “A conditional use permit is required to use
this property for firearms training.” At that point a cease order was put in
place by the Building Department from the Code Compliance Unit until a permit
could be obtained.
Nelson has opted not to obtain a use permit as he states it
is too costly for a small business, claiming an initial filing fee of $4,700.00
and additional costs incurred with environmental studies and other charges. “Totaling
about $10,000.00.”
Nelson did stop operating his business in Copperopolis but
hopes to offer free gun safety courses in Copper as he felt this was not a
violation of any codes. He is currently consulting an attorney.
The following are current county ordinances for firearms:
9.12.010 - Display of written consent.
Every written consent mentioned in this chapter, or any amendments
hereto, shall be kept in the immediate possession of the licensee at all times
while he is in, upon or shooting or discharging firearms over or upon the
various lands to which the prohibitions of this chapter apply and shall be
displayed upon the demand of any peace officer enforcing the provisions of this
chapter.
(Ord. 887 § 2, 1977).
9.12.020 - Shooting across private land.
It is unlawful for any person to shoot any bullet, arrow or other
projectile into, across or above any privately owned land under cultivation or
enclosed by a fence, or privately owned, uncultivated or unenclosed lands where
signs are displayed at intervals not less than three to the mile along all
exterior boundaries, and at all roads and trails entering such lands, without
the written consent of the owner of such land, or his agent, or the person in
lawful possession thereof, in his immediate possession.
(Ord. 887 § 3, 1977).
9.12.030 - Firing within one hundred fifty yards of certain
buildings.
It is unlawful for any person, other than the owner, person in possession
of the premises, or a person having the express written permission of the owner
or person in possession of the premises, to discharge any firearm (as defined
in California Penal Code section 12001.2(b)) within one hundred fifty yards of
any occupied dwelling, house, residence, or other building or any barn or other
outbuilding used in connection therewith. The one hundred fifty-yard area is a
"safety zone".
(Ord. 2753 § 1, 2003: Ord. 2000 § 1, 1988: Ord. 949 § 1,
1978: Ord. 887 § 5, 1977).
9.12.040 - Exemptions.
The prohibitions of this chapter do not apply to the establishment
or maintenance of any pistol, rifle, target range or shooting gallery, nor to
the discharge at any target thereon, by any person using such range or shooting
gallery, of any rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, air gun or bow and arrow in
or on such range or shooting gallery; provided, that such range or shooting
gallery complies with the county's basic zoning ordinance and has been
inspected and approved by the sheriff as being so installed, constructed,
safeguarded, equipped and used as to adequately prevent any bullet, shot or
missile from being projected beyond the confines of such range or shooting
gallery. Evidence of said inspection and approval shall be in the form of a
written permit issued by the sheriff, valid for a maximum period of one year
and subject to those conditions which, in the discretion of the sheriff, are
necessary.
(Ord. 887 § 6, 1977).
9.12.050 - Penalty for violation.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is
guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a
fine not to exceed five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail
for a term not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(Ord. 887 § 7, 1977).
Additional notes:
Calaveras Tactical was only found to be in violation of not owning a use permit. Calaveras Tactical was not found to be in violation of any other ordinance, based on a letter from Courtney Minehart of Calaveras County Code Compliance. Multiple alleged violations of ordinances were listed in the original complaint.
Calaveras Tactical was only found to be in violation of not owning a use permit. Calaveras Tactical was not found to be in violation of any other ordinance, based on a letter from Courtney Minehart of Calaveras County Code Compliance. Multiple alleged violations of ordinances were listed in the original complaint.
By,
Charity Maness