Drizzt
Member
Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio)
May 18, 2003 Sunday 4X EDITION
SECTION: B; Pg. 1
LENGTH: 542 words
HEADLINE: Stray bullets in homes spark push for gun law;
Green considers changes to ordinance, drawing debate, attention of NRA
BYLINE: By Andrea Misko; Beacon Journal staff writer
DATELINE: GREEN
BODY:
On the afternoon of March 6, a stray bullet from a hunter's rifle pierced the home of Green residents Susan and Don Pucak and landed on their kitchen floor.
Three years earlier, two houses away, Delora Grim discovered a bullet sitting on the carpet of her 3-year-old's bedroom. It entered the home inches above her son's bed.
Incidents like these have prompted members of the Green City Council to consider further restricting the city's firearms ordinance. Changes were introduced at the council last week.
The proposal has spurred debate in the community among residents who support gun owners' rights and others who are asking for safer neighborhoods.
The issue also has attracted the attention of the National Rifle Association.
''Green has changed,'' said Councilman Tom Robinson. ''We didn't have to worry about where ammunition would carry. But that has changed. There's not as much open space in the city any more.''
Robinson, who said he owns guns but is not a hunter, believes it's not a gun issue. It's a public safety issue, he said.
The amended ordinance would prohibit the use of single-projectile ammunition or rifles, pistols or revolvers. It would allow shotguns using buck shot.
In addition, hunting could take place only on property 10 acres or larger and not within 600 feet of adjoining property. Current law does not set a property size and allows hunting within 300 feet of any residence or occupied structure.
The penalty for violating the ordinance also would be escalated from a minor misdemeanor to first-degree misdemeanor.
Opponents of the changes contend the council is trying to stop hunting in Green.
''The impact of that law, if it passes, is to outlaw hunting,'' said resident Dave Mucklow, who plans to run for mayor. ''There are only a couple parcels in the city that are 10 acres where you can hunt.''
John Hohenwarter, state liaison for the NRA, says the association is concerned about any changes that restrict the rights of gun owners. He said the NRA is reviewing the proposal.
Meanwhile, the Pucaks and Grims still are astonished that bullets made their way into their homes in the Meadow Wood development. Dozens of trees and another street of houses sit between their homes and a wooded area at the corner of Boettler and South Arlington roads where the shots originated.
''We're not trying to take guns from anybody,'' said Susan Pucak, pointing to where the bullet went through her kitchen wall. ''It was an accident, but accidents can kill. We just need to stop it.''
Gunshots near Greenwood School on Graybill Road also have caused some concern.
Principal Debra Bertle said they have removed children from the playground during recess because shots have been heard in the nearby woods. It happens about once a year, she said.
''Whenever there are any kind of shots heard, we make sure the kids are inside the building as a safety precaution,'' she said. ''I would be happy if they could change (the ordinance) so there wouldn't be hunters while the children are on the playground.''
The legislation will have its second reading at the council's next meeting, 7 p.m. May 27.
May 18, 2003 Sunday 4X EDITION
SECTION: B; Pg. 1
LENGTH: 542 words
HEADLINE: Stray bullets in homes spark push for gun law;
Green considers changes to ordinance, drawing debate, attention of NRA
BYLINE: By Andrea Misko; Beacon Journal staff writer
DATELINE: GREEN
BODY:
On the afternoon of March 6, a stray bullet from a hunter's rifle pierced the home of Green residents Susan and Don Pucak and landed on their kitchen floor.
Three years earlier, two houses away, Delora Grim discovered a bullet sitting on the carpet of her 3-year-old's bedroom. It entered the home inches above her son's bed.
Incidents like these have prompted members of the Green City Council to consider further restricting the city's firearms ordinance. Changes were introduced at the council last week.
The proposal has spurred debate in the community among residents who support gun owners' rights and others who are asking for safer neighborhoods.
The issue also has attracted the attention of the National Rifle Association.
''Green has changed,'' said Councilman Tom Robinson. ''We didn't have to worry about where ammunition would carry. But that has changed. There's not as much open space in the city any more.''
Robinson, who said he owns guns but is not a hunter, believes it's not a gun issue. It's a public safety issue, he said.
The amended ordinance would prohibit the use of single-projectile ammunition or rifles, pistols or revolvers. It would allow shotguns using buck shot.
In addition, hunting could take place only on property 10 acres or larger and not within 600 feet of adjoining property. Current law does not set a property size and allows hunting within 300 feet of any residence or occupied structure.
The penalty for violating the ordinance also would be escalated from a minor misdemeanor to first-degree misdemeanor.
Opponents of the changes contend the council is trying to stop hunting in Green.
''The impact of that law, if it passes, is to outlaw hunting,'' said resident Dave Mucklow, who plans to run for mayor. ''There are only a couple parcels in the city that are 10 acres where you can hunt.''
John Hohenwarter, state liaison for the NRA, says the association is concerned about any changes that restrict the rights of gun owners. He said the NRA is reviewing the proposal.
Meanwhile, the Pucaks and Grims still are astonished that bullets made their way into their homes in the Meadow Wood development. Dozens of trees and another street of houses sit between their homes and a wooded area at the corner of Boettler and South Arlington roads where the shots originated.
''We're not trying to take guns from anybody,'' said Susan Pucak, pointing to where the bullet went through her kitchen wall. ''It was an accident, but accidents can kill. We just need to stop it.''
Gunshots near Greenwood School on Graybill Road also have caused some concern.
Principal Debra Bertle said they have removed children from the playground during recess because shots have been heard in the nearby woods. It happens about once a year, she said.
''Whenever there are any kind of shots heard, we make sure the kids are inside the building as a safety precaution,'' she said. ''I would be happy if they could change (the ordinance) so there wouldn't be hunters while the children are on the playground.''
The legislation will have its second reading at the council's next meeting, 7 p.m. May 27.
