Newberry commission considers easing firearm restrictions

A proposal to change the firearm restrictions in the city was sent back to the drawing board for revision at the Newberry City Commission meeting Monday.

City attorney Scott Walker proposed amendments to Ordinance No. 01-11 of the city charter to update the 34-year-old limitations on discharging a firearm in the city.

“We want to make sure safety is there, but at the same time we acknowledge that there are hunting clubs and skeet shooters, and we don’t want to unintentionally do something against those groups,” Walker said in an interview.

The subject was brought to the attention of the commission when citizens considering voluntary annexation noticed the law would not allow them to shoot even BB guns on their property, Walker said.

The ordinance currently states “it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any firearms in the city.” With the suggested amendments, it would be illegal to shoot a firearm within a half-mile radius of the limits of any residential, commercial or industrial area.

The law was written when Newberry was a much smaller city. But now there are agricultural lands and hunting clubs, and in some areas it would be acceptable to fire a gun, Walker said.

Committee members and a few residents in attendance voiced concerns toward the amendment’s proposed radius. For Commissioner Bill Conrad the distance was too specific.

At the meeting, he said using a firearm if necessary is “part of the nature of farming” and the law should allow for that on agricultural lands.

Residents in the audience mentioned hunting clubs and the need to discharge firearms for their business. Commissioner Joe Hoffman clarified the overall opinion at the meeting.

“We need to adjust the limitations but don’t get rid of them. Tweak who can use them and for what purpose,” he said. “The city’s growing and the law needs to adjust.”

If adopted, the amendments to the ordinance would go into effect immediately. The commission will take up the issue again when the proposed amendment has been revised.

The next Newberry City Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 7.