Bill Kunse is tired of stepping into his backyard and hearing gun shots fired nearby.
The Independence Township resident, who has lived on Reese Road for 13 years and in the township since 1967, wants what he feels are outdated gun laws in our state reviewed.
“It’s kind of disconcerting to be walking out and all of a sudden hear four or five rapid gunshots.”
Though laws allow an individual to shoot on owned property within 150 yards of a building, Kunse feels the local residential properties are not nearly large enough to contain a flying bullet.
“A 10-acre parcel is 330 feet wide by 1,350 feet deep. A .22 long rifle will go at least a mile. If you’re discharging a rifle on your property without a proper backstop can you assure me the projectile your firing remains on your property?”
Within the past year, there have been some reported dog shootings not too far from Kunse’s neighborhood.
Allen Road residents Buck and Michelle Waller found their dog, Lucy, a six-month-old black labrador wounded from a .22 bullet in September. Lucy is currently on the mend.
On Mother’s Day Sandy Sesan, who lives in the Stonegate subdivision off of Rattalee Lake and Bridge Lake, was shocked to see her 13-year-old American Eskimo, Skipper, shot in the face with a .22. Skipper survived but shrapnel from the bullet is still lodged in his neck.
“I hear guns shooting up on Rattalee. I don’t know who it is,” Sesan said. “These are pets. It’s sad. It’s really sad. This should not be happening around this area.”
Kunse said, “I may expect to hear some gunfire around (hunting season). But I don’t expect to hear it in April, May, June, July, or whatever.”
His biggest concern is the danger to his horses in his backyard.
“I don’t believe Independence Township has lived up to its responsibility regarding gun laws, with the increased population this area has experienced,” Kunse said. “The demographics of this area have drastically changed since the DNR regulations were written and they definitely need to be reviewed.”
According to Sec. 15-118 of the local ordinances, hunting with or discharge of a center fire rifle is unlawful in the township, except for at target ranges registered with the township clerk. Hunting with or the discharge of any firearm except a shotgun loaded with a shot no larger than no. 2 is unlawful in portions of the township south of interstate Highway 75. Several areas within the township are closed to hunting with a firearm including sections on Clintonville, Maybee, Waldon, Ortonville, Perry Lake, Cranberry Lake, Holcomb, Dixie Highway, Lingor and Andersonville.
Wanting a ban on firearm discharge in his area and fed up, Kunse began looking for a change about four years ago.
He first approached Supervisor Dale Stuart. Stuart told Kunse it was out of the township’s abilities and instead was governed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Clerk Joan McCrary revealed the same when Kunse approached her.
After obtaining a name and number of a DNR representative through State Representative John Stakoe’s office, Kunse was advised by the DNR an initiative regarding gun law changes would have to be initiated by the township.
“So now I’ve gone full circle, 360 degrees. Everybody is denying responsibility,” Kunse said.
Lt. Suzanne Koppelo of the DNR said Kunse was on the right track. A petition must be sought through the township, and a change of statute through legislatures, not the DNR.
“He went to the right people in the first place,” Koppelo said.
Unless it’s a hunting issue, firearm discharge, in general, must be dealt with locally, she said.
McCrary said there must have been some type of confusion between she and Stuart and Kunse on whether this was regarding hunting laws or local firearm discharge ordinances. Stuart said the township can request a review or public hearing.
Now, Kunse wants to join others and perhaps form a citizen committee. He is seeking a meeting with township representatives to find out what steps he needs to take next.
“I’ll be glad to be of help to him if I can be,” McCrary said.