Having a "shoot"?

[Sigarms]

Sometimes I can get 4-8 guys to come over and do some shooting on a weekend.

I was thinking of having a "business shoot" with some co-workers, customers and some other people in my line of work.

However, if I advertise this "shoot", will I be held liable if someone gets hurt? My gut tells me yes, and although it may be a nice idea, I don't want to get burned perhaps by someones lapse in judgement (no alcohol before or after this event).

Thinking about getting a kitty together and having a best score with a pistol at 25 yards, say a first, second and third place.

Most people know or know of each other, should be friendly, and hoping that everyone will have a good time.

Would a legal waiver protect me if I go that route?

 

[riptides]

Hello! Yes. Get legal waivers. No sign, dismiss accordingly.

 

[tallyho8]

Don't invite the ex VP.

 

[CurlyDave]

...Would a legal waiver protect me if I go that route?

I would hold it at a public range. It can still be a lot of fun and the liability issues disappear.

 

[Willl]

if I advertise this "shoot"

Don't advertise, private invite only.

 

[EddieWalker]

My understanding is that if you charge anybody, anything, then you have liablility issues. If it's all free, then some states have laws that protect you because of the known risk in what you are doing.

Same as letting a friend hunt your land, or ride his fourwheeler on it. Since you are letting him/her do this for free, if they crash and get hurt, you are not liable for their injury because they are doing an activity that has risk to it.

Eddie

 

[JB4310]

IMO, You promote it, you can be held liable.

We just had an incident up hear in New England, young kid got killed at a class 3 get acquainted shoot at a Massachusetts gun club. They let him shoot a mini Uzi and the muzzle came over the top and he got one round in the head.

They DA went after everyone involved with criminal charges, the promoter who happened to be a sheriff or chief, the gun owner and the gun club princables. The law they applied was kind of a gray area but basically they interpreted existing regulations to mean that a class 3 gun can not be transferred to a minor even temporarily at a sanctioned shooting event, unlike hand guns as well as other firearms that minors can not normally possess which can be temporarily transferred.

It's still in the criminal stage but civil actions are sure to follow.

If your gonna do it make it as loosely organized as possible, kind of a spontaneous event, and do it at a public range like Dave said. I'd be afraid that if any serious accident occurred on your own property, I think it would be difficult to defend yourself in a civil liability case.

JB.

 

[jdbower]

Personally I'm not sure how much faith I'd put into legal opinions from tractor board members spread across the country and the world - I would imagine a quick call to a lawyer familiar with local and state laws would be a much safer route. If you're a member of a local gun club they may be able to recommend a lawyer or even let you use theirs for a quick consult.

 

[Podunkadunk]

LegalZoom: Online Legal Document Services: LLC,Divorce,Wills,Incorporation & More (if you know what you want the release of liability to read), local lawyer if not. I wouldn't chance it without some paperwork.

-People these days will sue you if they break into your home and you shoot them. **In the future, think shot placement**.
-They'll sue if they trip and fall at your house, this is after the dinner you just fed them.
-Remember the lady who sued Mcdonalds because the coffee was too hot?
-Case in South Florida where little kid climbs over 2 fences and cuts a screen to get into a neighbors pool, then drowns. Parents sue and win.


You're just wanting to have a shoot. Cool...! Just protect your ***-ets.

Podunk

 

[dmccarty]

When we were looking for land I spent alot of time on the NC Extension website. Still go there for information quite a bit.

I keep my property posted. Nobody but family is allowed on the land. I have chased off two sets of trespassers. I suspect a few more have come in. Some would say I'm an <blank>. Don't care. I found this document on the Extension website. I do what it says to limit liability.

NC State University - NCCES - Liability and the North Carolina Landowner

Later,
Dan