Drizzt
February 11, 2003, 07:07 PM
Selectmen get look at rewritten firearm, bow ordinance
By JIM HICKEY, Middletown Press Staff February 08, 2003
CROMWELL -- The Board of Selectmen will consider a revised firearm ordinance next week that has drawn criticism because it requires residents to obtain a permit to fire a bow in their yards, which some residents feel is unnecessary and a violation of their rights.
When the controversial ordinance went before the board last month, more than 20 bow and arrow hunters voiced opposition to the proposal, which was proposed by Police Chief Anthony Salvatore to promote bow safety and to prevent accidents.
Bow hunters argued the provision would unfairly preclude people from practicing in their own back yards, because some people don’t have yards big enough to set up an archery range. They also claimed that the police chief lacked the expertise to judge what is a safe shooting environment, and argued there are already adequate ordinances on the books to regulate the safe discharge of arrows.
Chief Salvatore emphasized the ordinance was not meant to prohibit anyone from firing a bow in their backyards, but was merely meant to "create a safe environment." He first proposed the new ordinance in November to prevent people from firing arrows on their property in an unsafe manner.
Salvatore said that the police department had received reports of people firing arrows into neighboring yards, and wanted to take steps to prevent someone from getting hurt.
If approved, the new ordinance would require anyone wishing to discharge a firearm or arrow to obtain a free permit from the chief of police. The ordinances would not pertain to anyone sanctioned by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, or who are part of an official honor guard.
The permits are free and would be issued after the chief inspects the site to make sure it is safely set away from buildings, with proper backstops.
The initial proposal made it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to discharge any firearms or arrows unless they are under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian, and also made it illegal to discharge firearms or arrows within 500 feet of a building.
But since the last meeting, the proposed ordinance has been modified so that anyone under the age of 18 could only discharge firearms or arrows unless under "proper supervision." In addition, the stipulation that it was illegal to discharge a firearm or arrow within 500 feet of a building has been modified so that it would be illegal to discharge an arrow or firearm within 100 feet of a building.
A person would, however, be allowed to discharge an arrow within 100 feet of a building, if they had received approval from the chief of police.
Despite these changes, a number of bow and arrow enthusiasts feel the proposal is still unfair and unnecessary, and plan on attending the Board of Selectmen meeting on Wednesday to voice their opposition to the proposal.
"The revised ordinance says that someone can fire an arrow in their backyard if the police chief says its okay, but it doesn’t stipulate what conditions are acceptable, and what conditions aren’t acceptable," said Ron Berggren, the secretary of the Cromwell Fish and Game Club.
"That’s like saying, its illegal to speed in Cromwell, but we’re not going to tell you the speed limit ..it doesn’t make any sense," he added.
When selectmen debated the ordinance last month, it was apparent that members had mixed feelings. Selectman Al Waters said he didn’t support the ordinance, while other selectmen said they felt the proposal needed revisions.
Selectmen at the time agreed they would like the provision making it illegal to discharge an arrow within 500 feet of a building omitted from the proposal, and wanted the proposal changed so someone under the age of 18 would be able to fire an arrow under proper adult supervision, as opposed to a parent or legal guardian.
Both these changes have now been made.
A public hearing on the ordinance has not been scheduled, although a number of bow and arrow enthusiasts are expected to attend next week’s meeting to voice their opposition during the public comment period of the meeting.
The meeting is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. in Room 224/225 at Town Hall.
To contact Jim Hickey, call (860) 347-3331 ext. 221, or e-mail jhickey@middletownpress.com.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=6982230&BRD=1645&PAG=461&dept_id=33198&rfi=6
By JIM HICKEY, Middletown Press Staff February 08, 2003
CROMWELL -- The Board of Selectmen will consider a revised firearm ordinance next week that has drawn criticism because it requires residents to obtain a permit to fire a bow in their yards, which some residents feel is unnecessary and a violation of their rights.
When the controversial ordinance went before the board last month, more than 20 bow and arrow hunters voiced opposition to the proposal, which was proposed by Police Chief Anthony Salvatore to promote bow safety and to prevent accidents.
Bow hunters argued the provision would unfairly preclude people from practicing in their own back yards, because some people don’t have yards big enough to set up an archery range. They also claimed that the police chief lacked the expertise to judge what is a safe shooting environment, and argued there are already adequate ordinances on the books to regulate the safe discharge of arrows.
Chief Salvatore emphasized the ordinance was not meant to prohibit anyone from firing a bow in their backyards, but was merely meant to "create a safe environment." He first proposed the new ordinance in November to prevent people from firing arrows on their property in an unsafe manner.
Salvatore said that the police department had received reports of people firing arrows into neighboring yards, and wanted to take steps to prevent someone from getting hurt.
If approved, the new ordinance would require anyone wishing to discharge a firearm or arrow to obtain a free permit from the chief of police. The ordinances would not pertain to anyone sanctioned by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, or who are part of an official honor guard.
The permits are free and would be issued after the chief inspects the site to make sure it is safely set away from buildings, with proper backstops.
The initial proposal made it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to discharge any firearms or arrows unless they are under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian, and also made it illegal to discharge firearms or arrows within 500 feet of a building.
But since the last meeting, the proposed ordinance has been modified so that anyone under the age of 18 could only discharge firearms or arrows unless under "proper supervision." In addition, the stipulation that it was illegal to discharge a firearm or arrow within 500 feet of a building has been modified so that it would be illegal to discharge an arrow or firearm within 100 feet of a building.
A person would, however, be allowed to discharge an arrow within 100 feet of a building, if they had received approval from the chief of police.
Despite these changes, a number of bow and arrow enthusiasts feel the proposal is still unfair and unnecessary, and plan on attending the Board of Selectmen meeting on Wednesday to voice their opposition to the proposal.
"The revised ordinance says that someone can fire an arrow in their backyard if the police chief says its okay, but it doesn’t stipulate what conditions are acceptable, and what conditions aren’t acceptable," said Ron Berggren, the secretary of the Cromwell Fish and Game Club.
"That’s like saying, its illegal to speed in Cromwell, but we’re not going to tell you the speed limit ..it doesn’t make any sense," he added.
When selectmen debated the ordinance last month, it was apparent that members had mixed feelings. Selectman Al Waters said he didn’t support the ordinance, while other selectmen said they felt the proposal needed revisions.
Selectmen at the time agreed they would like the provision making it illegal to discharge an arrow within 500 feet of a building omitted from the proposal, and wanted the proposal changed so someone under the age of 18 would be able to fire an arrow under proper adult supervision, as opposed to a parent or legal guardian.
Both these changes have now been made.
A public hearing on the ordinance has not been scheduled, although a number of bow and arrow enthusiasts are expected to attend next week’s meeting to voice their opposition during the public comment period of the meeting.
The meeting is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. in Room 224/225 at Town Hall.
To contact Jim Hickey, call (860) 347-3331 ext. 221, or e-mail jhickey@middletownpress.com.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=6982230&BRD=1645&PAG=461&dept_id=33198&rfi=6