Midway considers stronger gun laws

By David Bodenheimer
The Dispatch

Published: Monday, August 30, 2010 at 5:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, August 27, 2010 at 5:10 p.m.
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The Town of Midway is considering an ordinance that would add firearm restrictions within the town’s boundaries.

Residential feedback on a possible firearm ordinance in Midway could determine whether the town council decides to strengthen its gun laws. The town currently operates under the Davidson County firearm laws.

A public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 7 will allow residents to address the council concerning the proposed ordinance.

Town Manager Ryan Ross said the proposed town law would set clear boundaries on the distance a firearm could be discharged from a residence within its limits. The Davidson County firearm ordinance makes it unlawful for anyone to discharge a firearm from any public roadway or right-of-way unless in self-defense or instructed by a law enforcement officer.

Midway is considering adding a stipulation that would also make it illegal to discharge a firearm within 500 feet of a residence without permission from the owner on which the firearm is discharged. The ordinance also would make it illegal for anyone to shoot a gun without reasonable regard.

Ross said the term “reasonable regard” is defined as a legitimate reason to fire a weapon legally, such as hunting, in self-defense or as target practice.

Ross stressed the language of the ordinance was very primitive and could change depending on the outcome of the public hearing.

“We don’t really have something we’re pushing right now, that this is what the Midway ordinance would be,” Ross said. “This is more a chance to hear from the citizens and find out exactly what they would like to see.”

Council member Norman Wilkes said the board began discussing an ordinance after receiving some concern about guns from residents in the community.

“We heard from some of the neighborhoods that guns were being fired and people didn’t know if that was safe or not,” Wilkes said. “And that we needed some type of ordinance to protect the citizens of the town.”

Wilkes went on to say he hopes the community will respond and attend the public hearing.

“I think this will be an important public hearing,” he said. “It’s for the benefit of the town and for them (citizens) to express their desires for gun control. Once we get some of the reaction and input from the hearing, a decision can be made.

“I think we should certainly should have some gun control. We should have an ordinance stating what we can do and what we can’t do.”

David Bodenheimer can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, or david.bodenheimer@the-dispatch.com.

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Steve