"Texas fraternity's gunfire leads to brief police standoff"

[shirley1929]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/tex...th-6870181.php

Bizarre... and inflammatory...of course they mention that it was a fraternity in the headline.

[NWguy]

This "outing" shouldn't have been approved by their adviser, if they have one. Way too many things could've gone wrong; I'm glad no one was hurt.

[Sciencewoman]

^^^ Excellent point.

[Tom Earp]

What is wrong with guys firing guns on private property on a ranch? If the had permission then why not??
If the were not breaking the law and after all, this is in Texas then what is wrong with this? Was this because it was a Fraternity?

Yes when The Law showed up they should have thrown up their hands and said Okay, we give up!

Ask Kevin if this was a legal search and lawful act. As an ex Police Officer, I would say NO!

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

What is wrong with guys firing guns on private property on a ranch? If the had permission then why not??
If the were not breaking the law and after all, this is in Texas then what is wrong with this? Was this because it was a Fraternity?

That was my first thought.

[Sciencewoman]

I'm thinking about Dick Cheney accidentally shooting his friend while duck hunting a while back. I think a fraternity sponsored event involving guns is fraught with the potential for a serious accident...if they did do this, I think a supervised shooting range, like skeet shooting, would be better than private property. Some members may not have experience with firearms and gun safety. I get that they had permission and I don't think they deserve bad PR as a fraternity. However, this was not a good idea and I sincerely doubt their liability insurance carrier would support this kind of event.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

I'm thinking about Dick Cheney accidentally shooting his friend while duck hunting a while back. I think a fraternity sponsored event involving guns is fraught with the potential for a serious accident...if they did do this, I think a supervised shooting range, like skeet shooting, would be better than private property. Some members may not have experience with firearms and gun safety. I get that they had permission and I don't think they deserve bad PR as a fraternity. However, this was not a good idea and I sincerely doubt their liability insurance carrier would support this kind of event.

Really your going to go there with that statement?? If it is not illegal then why was it even brought up in the first place???? It seems to be the Anti Greek Crap we see all of the time. Why did the Police make such a big deal out of it??

[Sciencewoman]

Midnight + 50 people with guns = bad idea. I'm not disputing their rights as individuals on private property. I'm saying this was a bad idea for a fraternity sponsored event.

[tinydancer]

^^^Have to agree with my sister.

[shirley1929]

New article saying they've "suspended operations" of the chapter:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/loc...ng-6872476.php

My only guess is that it's a small ranch, with neighbors close enough to hear and be concerned. That part of S. TX has some huge ranches, but many are being broken up into "ranchettes" that have a regular HOA and laws like small cities and communities.

Also, keep in mind that area of the state is close to Mexico and people are on higher alert near the border because of the continuing violence that has happened on the other side.

Agree that it's (obviously) a horrible idea for a fraternity function. But, not technically illegal - IF they're on a larger piece of private property.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Really your going to go there with that statement?? If it is not illegal then why was it even brought up in the first place???? It seems to be the Anti Greek Crap we see all of the time. Why did the Police make such a big deal out of it??

Some things can be both legal and a bad idea at the same time. This is a prime example and has nothing to do with "anti-greek crap."

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by ComradesTrue

Some things can be both legal and a bad idea at the same time. This is a prime example and has nothing to do with "anti-greek crap."

Co-Sign

[NWguy]

If alcohol was involved, as sometimes is the case with fraternity outings (not all, some), the potential for danger is sky high. Also, I'll assume most of these men were novice gun users and that makes it even riskier.

Even in rural Texas, there's gotta be other things to do - bowling, pizza party, miniature golf, camping trip, etc. With the money they spent on guns and ammo, they probably could've rented out a movie theater screening and watched "Zoolander 2" together.

[PKT4LIFE]

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

Midnight + 50 people with guns = bad idea. I'm not disputing their rights as individuals on private property. I'm saying this was a bad idea for a fraternity sponsored event.

I agree. Add alcohol and you really setting up a disaster.

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by NWguy

If alcohol was involved, as sometimes is the case with fraternity outings (not all, some), the potential for danger is sky high. Also, I'll assume most of these men were novice gun users and that makes it even riskier.

Even in rural Texas, there's gotta be other things to do - bowling, pizza party, miniature golf, camping trip, etc. With the money they spent on guns and ammo, they probably could've rented out a movie theater screening and watched "Zoolander 2" together.

If that's not what they wanted to do, the point is moot. That's imposing someone else's ideas on them.

If there was alcohol involved, it's not cited in the original news report.

I'm still not seeing the issue. No one was hurt; it was on private property. If it was rifles and shotguns, anyone over 18 may legally fire them safely. I see nothing here any more egregious than any other noise complaint over a fraternity outing.