Gunshots near homes could bring limits in Nolensville

[Guest Shep]

Thursday, 09/13/07

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070913/COUNTY09/709130378/1006/NEWS

Williamson County

After complaints from residents about people firing guns in subdivisions, Nolensville officials are talking — cautiously — about regulating firearms use within the town limits.

"We have a community that's really protective of gun rights," Mayor Beth Lothers said.

In April 2006, when the town passed a noise ordinance, the biggest concern among many residents was whether they'd still be able to fire guns in their backyards. They were reassured that night that they could still target shoot.

Officials considered shooting limits a few years ago but dropped the idea when a crowd of hunters showed up at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, town attorney Bob Notestine said.

"When you have large properties, it's not an issue," Lothers said. "In a subdivision, when you have smaller lots, you have public safety concerns."

The mayor said she wants to see what other municipalities do.

"I don't think it's something where people want to restrict carrying a weapon," she said. "You can't just get those types of complaints and not take it seriously."

Cities can't impose limits on where someone may legally hunt, said a 1998 opinion by then-state Attorney General John Knox Walkup.

Lothers pointed out that Brentwood's municipal code restricts shooting to "a minimum distance of 400 feet from any public road right of way or adjacent property." Nolensville has no restrictions, so the police can't act on shooting complaints.

— CHARLES BOOTH

cbooth@tennessean.com

[Guest Disney]

They should have a rule that if you discharge your firearm in the backyard and you haev people behind you, you should have to remove ALL safety labels from all products entering the house.