7/13/05

Town Council to Hear Public Comments Before Deciding on Firearms Town Code Change

The Holly Springs Town Council will hear public comments on its proposal to change the Town Code regarding firearms, including BB guns, at its next meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19.

Following a public hearing, the Town Council will consider adoption of an ordinance that would require persons to be a minimum of 200 feet away from any adjacent property line before discharging a BB gun or other non-explosive weapon within the Town limits.

The current ordinance on firing BB guns or pellet guns within Town limits only requires a person to be at least 16 years old. The new ordinance would further restrict the discharge of non-explosive weapons to be within the minimum distance from a neighbor's property line. The ordinance also would expand the list of non-explosive weapons to include crossbows and bows and arrows.

The new ordinance also sets out penalties and fines for violating the new law, if it is adopted.

All other provisions of the existing Town Code on the discharge of firearms would remain unchanged: the firing of explosive weapons including firearms, pistols, rifles, fireworks, firecrackers and canons within Town limits is prohibited, unless: a permit is obtained from the Department of Public Safety; the firing is within the confines of a Town-sanctioned instructional opportunity overseen by the Town; the firing is a public fireworks display; or, in the case of fireworks, the explosives are those allowed to be sold and discharged in North Carolina by State statute.

For more information or to read a complete copy of the proposed ordinance, contact Town Clerk Joni Powell at (919) 557-3900 or joni.powell@hollyspringsnc.us.

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us