Agenda - 01-24-2017 - 6-a - Minutes

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18 1 2 PUBLIC COMMENT: 3 Ann Crawford said she is in favor of section 24.3, and would like to see the noise clause 4 (g) reinstated. She said her neighborhood is disturbed by loud gunfire, which is upsetting to the 5 residents, as well as dangerous to children and pets. 6 Cathy Cole provided a hand out, and she agreed with Ann Crawford 7 Riley Ruske is not supportive of this ordinance, and feels the Board of Commissioners is 8 trying to infringe on residents' second amendment rights. 9 Lisa Price said she is glad that the Board of County Commissioners is addressing 10 firearms safety in Orange County, and she also hopes the portion addressing excessive noise 11 is reinstated. 12 Becky Ceartas is the Director of N.0 Against Gun Violence, and urged the Board of 13 County Commissioners to adopt this proposed ordinance, and reinstate article "g" about noise. 14 Gilbert Carnathan said he attended some of the meetings, and the recommendation are 15 prudent and promote safety and firearm safety education. He said he believed that section "g" 16 should be added back in, and the Board of County Commissioners should adopt the ordinance. 17 Rollin Russell said the right to bear arms is constitutional and he supports that right, but 18 he also believes in sensible regulation to protect all citizens. He said he hoped the Board would 19 make the best decision for the residents of Orange County. 20 Greg Andrews said he is here on behalf of the residents in Efland, where turkey shoots 21 are held for fund raising purposes. He said he is concerned that this ordinance may affect that 22 tradition, and that it infringes on the right to bear arms. He said he does not support the 23 reinstatement of article g. 24 Ashley Campbell commended the committee for its work. She said the most important 25 topic discussed was firearms safety in Orange County. She said an ordinance is not really 26 needed but if the Board wants one, then the one presented is reasonable. 27 Don O'Leary said this ordinance is reasonable, and the question of noise is tricky. He 28 said those living in rural areas should expect reasonable gunfire, as it is a way of life. 29 Jack Hunnell said he served on this committee, and the Board of County 30 Commissioners did a great job of appointing a diverse group to tackle this issue. 31 Commissioner McKee said the better part of most of the meetings was used to try and 32 define noise. He said he told the committee if it could not come to a decision about noise, the 33 Board of County Commissioners could, and would, through other avenues. He said the motion 34 to remove the section on noise was made by one who wanted it included, and that removing it 35 was a compromise on his part. He said the proposed ordinance does have some "teeth". He 36 said this is a good start, and other issues can be addressed later. 37 Commissioner Burroughs said she is pleased with what she has heard about this 38 committee and the facilitator. She said the committee created a solution, and she wants to 39 honor this work by voting for the ordinance. She said she is disappointed that progress was not 40 made on the noise issue, and suggested that staff come back to the Board with options about 41 how to address it. 42 Commissioner Marcoplos said the issue of noise is real, and there is a possible solution 43 within the ordinance. He said the distant sound of a gun is different than bullets landing in 44 one's yard. He said he does understand the difference between urban and rural areas. He 45 read the proposed ordinance, which states: this subsection shall not apply when the person 46 discharging the firearm has written permission for such activity from the person on whose 47 property the projectile comes to rest. He said the same could be said of the property on which 48 the noise comes to rest. He said written permission could be obtained from neighbors, and if 49 that is not possible, then the neighborhood may be too dense for the noise.