Chesterfield To Vote On Air Gun Ban Monday

Chesterfield City Council is scheduled to vote Monday night on an amended city ordinance to outlaw shooting firearms at squirrels, birds, rodents and other small animals in suburban back yards.

Council members heard opinions from a dozen individuals at the last council meeting—the most persuasive were against limits on shooting firearms on one's own property.

However, the council prepared to move ahead with a vote on two changes to the existing weapons ordinance.

This paragraph would be added to Section 1:

(i) It shall be unlawful to fire or discharge a firearm or a projectile weapon within one hundred fifty (150) yards of a house, dwelling or apartment to protect crops or other property from squirrels, rodents, birds or other small animals.

Changes to Section 2, which lists exceptions to the ban such as police target practice, skeet, military ceremonies and others, would add a sentence:

This exception shall not allow the discharge of a firearm or projectile weapon to protect crops or other property from squirrels, rodents, birds or other small animals.

In the preamble to the amendment, the City Council states it has determined that in residential areas, shooting guns and other projectile weapons. . ."presents too much risk of injury to people, pets and surrounding property."

The statement goes on to say the proposals are in the "best interest of the public health, safety and welfare."

The proposed ban does nothing to limit a resident's use of deadly force under the so-called "Castle doctrine" of self protection, according to the ordinance.

The vote is expected to take place during the Chesterfield City Council meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in chambers at City Hall.

An agenda review meeting begins at 6 p.m. Monday, in a back conference room at City Hall, and is open to the public.

In other business, the council intends to vote over a study of Schoettler Road, to "enhance" it at some point. More later.