Posted on 05/04/2011 5:16:19 AM PDT by marktwain
PARKSIDE — A proposed gun-control law that was defeated by a 5-2 council vote in September will be on the agenda again for discussion and another vote at the May 25 council session.
Under the heading of Ordinance 495, the tabled proposal reads: “It shall be unlawful and it is hereby prohibited for any person or persons to discharge any shotgun, rifle, gun, pistol, revolver, BB gun, or other firearms in the pursuit of game or for the purpose of amusement for himself or others within the limits of Parkside.”
The firing of blanks would be regarded the same as firing live ammo in the eyes of this law, it was noted.
The proposed ordinance made an exception for gun use “in defense of person or property;” authorized police officers to “seize and impound” any firearm used in violation of the law; and provided a $1,000 fine for violators.
Last year, council President Shirley Purcival and Councilwoman Jackie File-Barlow cast the two votes in support of advertising the gun regulations for adoption.
Councilman William Howell noted at the time that Police Chief John Egan recalled “one, maybe two” arrests for discharging a gun in Parkside over the last three years. Howell also suggested a borough gun ordinance would be superseded by existing federal gun-control laws.
Purcival said after the Sept. 22 meeting she would accept the majority ruling and shelve the proposal. But a recent incident that allegedly involved a near-miss of a child with a BB gun has re-energized the debate.
In announcing the resurrection of the topic, Purcival noted that Egan has recommended adoption of the proposed ordinance. Howell and Councilman Douglas Bull both expressed their continued opposition.
“I would like council to at least reconsider this,” Purcival said.
The root of the issue is a homeowner on East Roland Avenue, who likes to shoot targets using a BB gun and bow and arrow.
The problem is not a question of the man’s right to own weapons, but the fact that he is not very accurate with his weapons of choice.
One neighbor reported recently having to move inside off a porch to avoid being hit by ricocheting BBs. The notion of dodging stray arrows is even more frightening, the concerned neighbor told council.
“We have the right to bear arms — it’s in the Constitution — but do we have the right to improve our aim in our backyard, where others are around in close proximity?” Purcival asked her fellow council members.
Purcival noted that borough police need a new ordinance in place to be able to intervene on behalf of the neighbors.
The neighbor in attendance said he might collect signatures on a petition to help convince council of the need for a gun-control ordinance.
He also insinuated he might sue the borough if someone was injured by the amateur archer, after the borough had willfully done nothing to prevent such a tragedy.
Isn't there some way that we can sue these busybodies for loss of freedom and happiness?
ping
Why doesn’t the neighbor just ask the shooter to put up some barriers? I bet he never even talked to the guy. “Hey buddy, Your bb’s are ricocheting over here and I’m afraid they’ll shoot someone’s eye out*. Can you put a shield up or something?”
(*no discussion of bb guns is complete without someone’s eye getting shot out)
I am totally against gun control. However, have you read the whole article? This is arrising out of the fact that some guy is shooting bb guns and arrows in his back yard, has a lousy aim and the bb’s were richocheting off the neighbor’s porch. Not quite sure if banning the firing of arms is the way to go, but there does have to be something done. I wouldn’t want my neighbor shooting his bb gun and hitting my back porch.
The second amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. It does not guarantee the right to fire those arms wherever we feel like it.
authorized police officers to “seize and impound” any firearm used i
LOL! Clearly an overreach. A city cannot authorize the police to do any such thing.
If the neighbors need a venue to correct a perceived wrong, they have it.
It’s called civil court.
Sue him for endangerment & infringing on the peaceful use of their property.
Big fences work, as well
BB guns are the same as shotguns, etc.? Sounds like “they all look alike” bigotry to me...
Here in S.E.Mi. where I currently reside have such laws. Since I can not drive any more [due to seizures] I built a range on my property in defiance of these UNlawful, UNConstitonal, & just plain stupid regulations! I am the range safety officer, NCOIC of it and any thing else you want to call it.
I set up a measured distances [10,25,40, 60 yard] and am adding a simulated rabbit hunting [taping to clay targets together] & the “game of “field sport” compatation targets.
Field sport is a simulated hunting sport & is timed and based on hitting the targets at unknown distances within 5 min. from the basic shooting postions.
There is a long history of anti-gun nanny state types lying in these sort of venues to pursue their political objects.
If a bozo is firing BBs and arrows into your porch you are going to be ticked.
OTOH, I don't know why they can't use existing laws like reckless endangerment to shut him down.
I wouldn’t want my neighbor shooting his bb gun and hitting my back porch.
Then you have numerous venues to stop him.
We have enough laws to cover the universe.
Simply ask the police to advise him on the meaning of reckless endangerment, sue the guy, or put up a fence and charge him for it. In court. It works just fine
Then the issue will be settled once and for all, and no repeal effort will ever be permitted to come to a vote.
This is how the left operates. I know this to be a fact.
Try both these gun grabbing idiots with a felony and see if they get the point.
Newsflash!
There are already laws on the books for discharging BB guns and Bow & Arrow, in an unsafe manner.
Use them and leave the rest of us alone!
well is this a single idiot issue or a community wide issue. There are easier ways to deal with it. DId the neighbor go speak with the gentleman? Did he refuse to redirect his target area? Then, Call the sheriff and have him have a talk.You dont impose a community wide law on everyone.
Because you never let a "crises" go to waste
A BB gun is not a firearm.
How about firing a BB up the nose of this moron in defense of liberty, and to unblock his mental cloggage? Would that be allowed?
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