Rose - DPW Admin assigned this issue to Bill - Building Inspector

Along with high powered, the gun fire is often semi-automatic, firing in bursts. Aren't these what is termed assault weapons?

"Assault weapon is a term used in the United States to define some types of firearms.The definition varies among regulating jurisdictions, but usually includes semi-automatic firearms with a detachable magazine and a pistol grip, and sometimes other features such as a flash suppressor or barrel shroud."

To answer your question, an assault weapon is identified by the accessories on the said firearm, and not by the caliber of the round. Furthermore the assault weapons ban passed in 1994 has expired and is no longer in effect.

Michael Hale - Director, DPW assigned this issue to Building Inspector's Office

Thank you for your concern, this issue has been received by our department. We will look into this issue further and resolve it accordingly.

I do not know of any restrictions on the type of fire arms that my be used at the Cape Ann Sports men club. They have existed a long time and this is the first complaint I have heard concerning the Club. As a side note there are at least two other firing ranges ion Cape Ann, one is used by the Rockport Police which I believe is off Nugent's Stretch The other is private property .

Being that there does not appear to be a zoning violation, this office can not take any further action.

I just read that The Cape Ann Sportsmans club just started holding as-issued military weapons clinics this year. The next one is Nov. 29, 2015. This explains why the range noise is escalating.

Thank you for reporting this issue to us. We are pleased to report back to you that this issue is now resolved.

So please explain, how was this resolved?

Your question was, does the range have to allow these loud firearms from being discharged at the range. The inspector said there was no violation. I'm not sure what more you are hoping for.

Re: Resolution of this issue (?)
Since there was loud shooting on Christmas Eve and early on Christmas morning until about noon, it seems like nothing has changed. Please advise.

For the record, most modern firearms are "semi-auto" which means only one round is fired each time the trigger is pulled. The old shell is then ejected and a new round is chambered.

This is not the same as "full auto" which is commonly referred to as a machine gun.

Also, The action of the firearm does not dictate the decibels produced. Many bolt action firearms are very loud.

The bottom line is that firearms are not classified by the amount of "bang" it produces.

Hi Liberty Street. It sounds like you know what you are talking about. There has been a well documented surge in the sales of higher caliber rifles since Sandy Hook. And I thought higher caliber meant more gun powder and more noise? Is that not true?

Not necessarily. For example a .223 round contains much more powder than a .40 caliber round.

also much of the noise is actually caused by the projectile breaking the sound barrier, creating a "sonic boom". So velocity also plays a factor in the noise you hear and that number can vary depending on the manufacturing specifications of that brand of ammunition.

See where this gets complicated?

This issue is closed. The Building Inspector has investigated and there is no violation of the zoning ordinance. If you would like to discuss this issue futher, please contact the Building Inspector's Office @ 978-281-9774 or Gloucester Police @978-283-1212 directly.

One thing I would ask for Mr. Liberty Street, is for someone to research the original charter agreement between the Sportsmans club and the city. Does the Sportsmans Club even have the right to change itself into a public assault weapons firing range? The building department official seems to be basing his resolution on "not knowing of anything" and other people not complaining. So his answer is an example of the use of circular logic and gaslighting. Two of the classic tools of stonewalling.

Ms. Generuex this is not a message board. As stated, if you would like to discuss this further please contact Building Inspector's Office @ 978-281-9774 or Gloucester Police @978-283-1212 directly.

unless you understand what "assault weapon" means, please refrain from using the term.

It has nothing to do with the caliber of the firearm, or the noise it produces. You sound silly when you say you can tell it's an assault weapon by its noise. Explain to my how a pistol grip and a heat shield is supposed to sound?

PLEASE STOP - THIS IS NOT A MESSAGE BOARD.

Who has decided that the Cape Ann Sportsmans Club decision to become a public rifle range is merely a zoning issue?

What ever happened to free speech?

Thank you for reporting this issue to us