Question regarding PGC summary citation issued at SGL 183

[amstel78]

A few weeks ago, I was issued a citation for violating 34 § 721§§ A - Control of Property Regulations. The story basically unfolds as follows:

1. Saturday morning around 0900, I was in the process of shooting paper targets at a 25 yard range with a suppressed 1911. There were other people there who were from out of state shooting more than 6 rounds per firearm.
2. I had also brought with me an AR pistol that had a binary trigger in it. I had recently installed a new linear compensator. However as the linear is still loud on a 7.5" barrel, I took the pistol with 5 rounds in the magazine to the 50 yard line to be considerate. I however did not have a paper target attached to the backboard. Instead, I aimed and fired at the rubber backboard where paper targets are normally stapled to. This was just done to test the new brake.
3. It was shortly after this that a game commission officer approached me and asked to see my ID, range permit, plus NFA paperwork. I was polite and complied. He briefly looked at copies of my form 4's and handed them back while holding on to my ID. He also approached the out of towners and asked for their ID's.
4. He left for about 10 minutes and came back. He proceeds to give the out-of-towners a warning stating that they're only allowed to have a max of 6 rounds in the magazine. He then comes back to me and says he's cutting me a break for "shooting more than 6 rounds out of a weapon with a binary trigger" (which is complete BS since I only had 5 in the mag), but instead goes on to tell me he's citing me for not having a paper target up.

Cut to today, and the postman delivers the citation. The fine is in the amount of $198.25.

Yes, I will admit I was wrong by not having a paper target attached to the backboard, but I was in no way intentionally aiming at the wood supports themselves; just the rubber backing. As such, I'll pay the fine if I have to. My question is this however: what are the ramifications to pleading guilty on a summary case in the state of PA? Is it similar to just paying a fine on a speeding ticket, or is this considered a criminal offense that will remain on my public record forever? Will pleading guilty have any negative consequences for me legally down the road?

Should I contact an attorney, or just pay the fine and move on with my life?

BTW, I apologize if I posted this in the wrong area. Wasn't quite sure which section this would best go to.

[unclejumbo]

A few weeks ago, I was issued a citation for violating 34 § 721§§ A - Control of Property Regulations. The story basically unfolds as follows:

1. Saturday morning around 0900, I was in the process of shooting paper targets at a 25 yard range with a suppressed 1911. There were other people there who were from out of state shooting more than 6 rounds per firearm.
2. I had also brought with me an AR pistol that had a binary trigger in it. I had recently installed a new linear compensator. However as the linear is still loud on a 7.5" barrel, I took the pistol with 5 rounds in the magazine to the 50 yard line to be considerate. I however did not have a paper target attached to the backboard. Instead, I aimed and fired at the rubber backboard where paper targets are normally stapled to. This was just done to test the new brake.
3. It was shortly after this that a game commission officer approached me and asked to see my ID, range permit, plus NFA paperwork. I was polite and complied. He briefly looked at copies of my form 4's and handed them back while holding on to my ID. He also approached the out of towners and asked for their ID's.
4. He left for about 10 minutes and came back. He proceeds to give the out-of-towners a warning stating that they're only allowed to have a max of 6 rounds in the magazine. He then comes back to me and says he's cutting me a break for "shooting more than 6 rounds out of a weapon with a binary trigger" (which is complete BS since I only had 5 in the mag), but instead goes on to tell me he's citing me for not having a paper target up.

Cut to today, and the postman delivers the citation. The fine is in the amount of $198.25.

Yes, I will admit I was wrong by not having a paper target attached to the backboard, but I was in no way intentionally aiming at the wood supports themselves; just the rubber backing. As such, I'll pay the fine if I have to. My question is this however: what are the ramifications to pleading guilty on a summary case in the state of PA? Is it similar to just paying a fine on a speeding ticket, or is this considered a criminal offense that will remain on my public record forever? Will pleading guilty have any negative consequences for me legally down the road?

Should I contact an attorney, or just pay the fine and move on with my life?

Same as a traffic citation.

Having used PGC ranges at various times for PSP qualification and talking to WCOs, they have a real problem with people indiscriminately shooting up range facilities. Not only frames and hangers but buildings and pavilions. You are an unfortunate victim of those that are complete assholes when they get a gun in their hands. WCOs are hardcore about enforcing range rules.

[amstel78]

Same as a traffic citation.

Having used PGC ranges at various times for PSP qualification and talking to WCOs, they have a real problem with people indiscriminately shooting up range facilities. Not only frames and hangers but buildings and pavilions. You are an unfortunate victim of those that are complete assholes when they get a gun in their hands. WCOs are hardcore about enforcing range rules.

Yes, that's the reason the WCO gave me when justifying his need to give me a citation.

I'm not contradicting it in this case - I clearly didn't have a paper target up on the 50. But what gets me in my case is the selective enforcement of the rules. He let the non-PA people walk with a warning but yet I get a citation. Most everyone at SGL 183 knows me as I'm usually a Sunday morning regular. They can attest that I always consciously try to abide by the rules. This was certainly a lapse in judgement on my part.

Anyway, I just wanted to know if pleading guilty to this thing is the same as a misdemeanor or other crime in Pennsylvania. I ask because this is the first time I've actually received a citation of any kind in PA. I've never even had a traffic ticket. So I really don't know what's at stake here if I plead guilty or no-contest.

[father-of-five]

I met my first wco last month in Berks county after using 5 different ranges over the past 7 years. He was actually friendly both to me and the others who had a steel target downrange that they got a warning for.

[amstel78]

Thanks for everyone's input. I've decided to plead out and pay the fine. There's no guaranteed positive outcome if I try my case in front of a judge, but I will surely lose an entire day of work. My time is far more valuable.

Lesson learned for sure. And yes, I do have access to a private range, but it's really only good for pistols which is why I go to the public SGL most times.

Thanks again to all. Hope everyone here has a great day.

[markshere2]

Phil,

I remember Spiro Agnew pleading no - contest

http://www.nolocontendere.org/historyofnolo.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/11/a...lea-of-no.html

Is it possible to plead no-contest vs guilty?
Would that have any benefit?

I have scratched out the guilty option on some mail-in tickets before and hand-written "no contest".
The checks were always cashed

[amstel78]

Phil,

I remember Spiro Agnew pleading no - contest

http://www.nolocontendere.org/historyofnolo.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/11/a...lea-of-no.html

Is it possible to plead no-contest vs guilty?
Would that have any benefit?

I have scratched out the guilty option on some mail-in tickets before and hand-written "no contest".
The checks were always cashed

I was very tempted to do what you just described; scratch out guilty and replace with nolo contendere. I didn't though because I was worried they wouldn't accept it and issue a warrant for my arrest.

[heatheroo]

To keep it in perspective this was at the SGL183 range AKA the Route 6 range......closest range to NY. Do a search in the Pike Co. threads for some backstory.

[SIGFAN86]

To keep it in perspective this was at the SGL183 range AKA the Route 6 range......closest range to NY. Do a search in the Pike Co. threads for some backstory.

Not much better at other ranges. Tobyhanna is a shit show, and now the carbondale range. Almost had to draw my firearm due to two punk ass douchebags continuing to finger bang their loaded firearms while i was downrange

[heatheroo]

I used to hunt that SGL. Always amazed how they would start banging away by 7AM with the handguns at the range on opening day of deer.