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Board rescinds firearms ordinance By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer In
a 4-1 vote Monday, the Marshall County Board of Supervisors rescinded
an order passed last month to prohibit discharge of firearms in
subdivisions. Willie Flemon voted not to
rescind the order which would have limited shooting of handguns and
other firearms on small acreages where populations are dense. Supervisors
said they received many calls in opposition to the proposed ordinance
and that one individual, whose complaint prompted the board to study
the problem of firearms discharged in densely populated area, had
changed his mind. “We are in a rural county where
people shoot guns. I don’t think anybody wants prohibition of shooting
guns,” said supervisor Keith Taylor, who made the motion several weeks
ago to limit firearm discharge. He said he
believes individuals who have concerns about firearm discharges in
their neighborhoods can get the sheriff’s department involved if a
safety issue arises, particularly when shooting of firearms is combined
with alcohol and loud noise (partying). In
expressing his opposition to rescinding the firearms motion, Flemon
said, “I want to know which way they are shooting. The bullet doesn’t
have any eyes.” Supervisor George Zinn III said
he does not think the sheriff’s department can respond to every call
(because firearm discharge is so prevalent). “My position was to put in place an ordinance to protect the gentleman who waged the complaint,” Zinn said. Supervisor
Eddie Dixon thought the acreage and proximity of firearm discharge to
houses should be a concern in studying a possible new statute. Attorney
Kent Smith recommended the board of supervisors continue to study the
matter and consider lot size and acreage as well as the rights to hunt
on one’s own property. Taylor said he believes a person has a right to hunt on his property. “Or target practice,” added Zinn. “I’m thinking about safety,” Flemon said.
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