This Stephen Colbert video features Doug Varrieur, a rogue homeowner in Big Pine Key, Florida, whose backyard target practice range is tormenting neighbors. Every day,
neighbors endure the discharge of firearms - living in fear of stray bullets
and in fear for their lives. Neighbors consider him “inconsiderate, obnoxious, a wacko” and a menace to the neighborhood.
When asked about the safety of local children or boaters, “I don’t
care,” replies the imperturbable Doug Varrieur.
Are there are no laws to prevent Rambo wannabes from
menacing our neighborhoods? Doug Varrieur may challenge anyone to stop him, but he
should think again. Most
municipalities have "anti-menacing laws" defined as:
‘A crime governed by local or state laws, which vary by region, but typically involve displaying a weapon or a course of conduct that intentionally places another person in reasonable fear of physical injury or death.’
All
rights have limits. Free speech does not confer a right to defame a
neighbor or broadcast crazy rants at 100 decibels in the middle of the
night. There are laws that cover slander and disturbing the peace.
Property rights do not mean you can operate a strip joint in a residential
neighborhood or within proximity to schools or houses of worship. Zoning
laws prevent rogue operators from despoiling neighborhoods.
Freedom without responsibility is not freedom, and rights without reasonable limits are not rights when any self-styled fanatic turns himself into a public nuisance.
When the
NRA pushes gun rights to this extreme, what recourse do you have? Call
law enforcement and invoke the laws of your municipality. You can also vote out lawmakers on the NRA dole who
support unconscionably bad bills that turn formerly safe and peaceful
communities into a torment. Here is an example of extremism gone too far. Enough is enough!
