One of the problems we have in Califorina are two fold. 1. Just finding a place to run models. 2. City ordinances not allowing air cannon projectile guns to shoot anywhere in most Bay Area counties and cities. At least I found a lake the allows running models. I remember this Lake ( actually a big pond ) back in the late 80s early 90s when I still was part of the WWCC. As one of the founders I use to get out. My Thomas Brothers map book and off I would go. A few months ago I talked to Parks and Rec. The planning commission. Department of Public Works and the Police Department. Yes one can not shoot here but, this Lake is open to running our Models. These agencies told me they do not have any jurisdiction on this lake. It is under a home owners useage. I ran into a home owner and he confirmed this as he runs electric speed boats here. Nice place. There is an area that you can launch models and operate from. There is a pier with cletes to tie ones models to. Even picnic tables with burners. Went there today to test my models for tomorrow's event up around Lincoln, CA tomorrow. Both worked. Yea like on the bench. We will see tomorrow. Nice to have a place to at least test models.
Yes. It is getting sad when you can't take a quiet electric model down to a pond and just run it around. Think of the kids who might get an electric speed boat and no place to run it. Getting harder and harder to find these bodies of water. Figure I would post one picture here of Pacific Model Warship combat club here. Some of our members collections
I agree that the ordinance's in the Bay Area are unfortunate. After R/C Combat lost the use of the San Jose pond, we researched and found that every jurisdiction without exception in the Bay Area had an ordinance precluding us from doing combat (basic BB gun ordinances). It's so unfortunate that I recall us using the Newark pond years ago, which was a perfect place for us to do our maneuvering events and now they won't even allow the running of electric boats. Even after the California drought is over we won't be able to do combat anywhere in the Bay Area, but we will still be able to run maneuvering at sites like Hidden Lakes.
Have you gone to the local municipalities and petitioned for an exemption to the use of models or bb cannons. The Rosenberg pond wouldn't allow model boats but get this .. had no ordinance against bb guns... they gave us an exemption for boats during our events but not for every day use. When I setup the pond in Deer Park TX I believe we were given an exemption to use bb cannons where they were not typically allowed. Try to find a location that is controlled by the County and not the City. Counties are much easier to work with.
When you tell a jurisdiction that you are firing "BB's", everyone pictures the Daisy Red Rider and agrees there is little or no danger and would consider an ordinance exemption for our activities; however, when you let them know you are firing different size calibers and they hear and see the 1/4" caliber bearings their story changes. The problem is in the SF Bay Area, it is such an urbanized area that all ponds have dual or multi-purpose uses. Water storage and recreation, surrounded by a public park and lots of people. So first off it's hard to find just the right secluded pond and then the second hurdle is getting the city or county officials to understand exactly what we are doing. After discussing this with several government officials, we realized that if we wanted to use a pond in the Bay Area, we might have to compromise and use BB's only. One effort in San Jose came close to succeeding, but many mistakes were made in the process and city officials backed off changing the local BB gun ordinance. Because PMWC is getting more and more members from the SF Bay Area, we haven't given up finding a location near San Jose to use for combat. So far every time we have found a pond, we have contacted and met with the local officials and when they hear what we do they are fine until we tell them we use 1/4" bearing. We have also been very honest with them, showing them combat pictures and letting them know what the safety record has been throughout the years. As time permits we plan to contact and meet with each and every jurisdiction, in an effort to address the BB gun ordinances in the Bay Area.
It still can happen. Since I am retired I keep an eye open. I also have built relationships up with city officials to possibly persue something. Takes time though.
