Drizzt
Member
County ordinance restricts firearms
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
By NATALIE CHAMBERS
GULF PARK ESTATES -- When Jewel Saucier complained to Supervisor John McKay about the routine gunfire near her home, she wanted action taken to stop it.
Saucier circulated a petition and gained two to three pages of signatures.
Her effort was rewarded Monday.
The Jackson County Board of Supervisors unanimously ap-proved an ordinance that prohibits discharge of a firearm or other weapon within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, development recreation site or occupied area.
And because of the grave risk considered to the public health and safety, the ordinance, considered an emergency action, is effective immediately.
"I was pleased with that," McKay said.
McKay said the ordinance "doesn't bar any weapon" but is a measure used to promote safe use of firearms.
A violation, considered a misdemeanor, may carry a jail sentence up to 90 days, up to a $1,000 fine or both.
McKay said the ordinance is similar to National Park Service regulations.
"We made ours fit theirs so it wouldn't be a difference in what you can do when you leave one area and go to another," he said.
The county's ordinance specifically states it is not designed to forbid peace officers from discharging weapons as necessary in the line of duty.
Supervisor Manly Barton said his initial concern pertained to distance, but "this is reasonable."
The ordinance is not being embraced by everyone.
Carroll Clifford, a former county supervisor and active member of the National Rifle Association, said he does not believe the ordinance will solve the problem.
"I guess (McKay) is trying to please somebody and somebody else he is not going to please," said Clifford.
Gun ownership, like car ownership, requires being responsible, said Clifford.
"I can understand it in subdivisions where houses are close together, but like in the country, I don't see really the purpose of it. They said the ordinance has to apply for the whole county," he said.
The ordinance does not apply if the firearm or other weapon is a shotgun, air rifle, pellet gun or a bow and arrow discharged on a tract of land 10 acres or more and more than 150 feet from a residence or occupied building located on another property.
Provisions also do not apply if the firearm or other weapon is a center fire or rim fire rifle or pistol or a muzzle-loading rifle or any caliber discharged on a tract of land of 50 acres or more, and more than 300 feet from a residence or occupied building located on another property.
"You can pass all the laws you want, but it won't stop anybody from shooting a gun. Also, you have to catch them doing it or somebody has to sign an affidavit. There are a lot of cities where there's gunfire all night long and they've got all kinds of ordinances prohibiting guns," said Clifford.
"I just think people being responsible is the whole thing," he said.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/mississippipress/index.ssf?/base/news/11520081647400.xml
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
By NATALIE CHAMBERS
GULF PARK ESTATES -- When Jewel Saucier complained to Supervisor John McKay about the routine gunfire near her home, she wanted action taken to stop it.
Saucier circulated a petition and gained two to three pages of signatures.
Her effort was rewarded Monday.
The Jackson County Board of Supervisors unanimously ap-proved an ordinance that prohibits discharge of a firearm or other weapon within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, development recreation site or occupied area.
And because of the grave risk considered to the public health and safety, the ordinance, considered an emergency action, is effective immediately.
"I was pleased with that," McKay said.
McKay said the ordinance "doesn't bar any weapon" but is a measure used to promote safe use of firearms.
A violation, considered a misdemeanor, may carry a jail sentence up to 90 days, up to a $1,000 fine or both.
McKay said the ordinance is similar to National Park Service regulations.
"We made ours fit theirs so it wouldn't be a difference in what you can do when you leave one area and go to another," he said.
The county's ordinance specifically states it is not designed to forbid peace officers from discharging weapons as necessary in the line of duty.
Supervisor Manly Barton said his initial concern pertained to distance, but "this is reasonable."
The ordinance is not being embraced by everyone.
Carroll Clifford, a former county supervisor and active member of the National Rifle Association, said he does not believe the ordinance will solve the problem.
"I guess (McKay) is trying to please somebody and somebody else he is not going to please," said Clifford.
Gun ownership, like car ownership, requires being responsible, said Clifford.
"I can understand it in subdivisions where houses are close together, but like in the country, I don't see really the purpose of it. They said the ordinance has to apply for the whole county," he said.
The ordinance does not apply if the firearm or other weapon is a shotgun, air rifle, pellet gun or a bow and arrow discharged on a tract of land 10 acres or more and more than 150 feet from a residence or occupied building located on another property.
Provisions also do not apply if the firearm or other weapon is a center fire or rim fire rifle or pistol or a muzzle-loading rifle or any caliber discharged on a tract of land of 50 acres or more, and more than 300 feet from a residence or occupied building located on another property.
"You can pass all the laws you want, but it won't stop anybody from shooting a gun. Also, you have to catch them doing it or somebody has to sign an affidavit. There are a lot of cities where there's gunfire all night long and they've got all kinds of ordinances prohibiting guns," said Clifford.
"I just think people being responsible is the whole thing," he said.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/mississippipress/index.ssf?/base/news/11520081647400.xml
