Perry Council reviewing new draft Discharge of Firearms By-law
The Township of Perry Council agreed to consider a newly proposed Discharge of Firearms draft, in the August 21, 2024, meeting.
According to the staff report, the current By-law #571 is from 1960 and “restricts discharging firearms from June 15 – Sep 15 and is extremely outdated.”
According to the recommended By-law, “The proposed draft recommends that private property owners smaller than 3 acres be prohibited to discharge firearms.” It adds, “Private property owners, including larger 100 acres lots or hunt camps presently are prohibited from recreation shooting during this time while By-law #571 is in effect.”
Mark Ryckman, Manager of Policy, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, indicated that several municipalities have rescinded their Discharge By-laws, allowing related matters to be handled by Conservation Officers, Federal Enforcement Officers, or local police because it pertains to safety, the Conservation code or Criminal Act.
He said, “Existing Provincial and Federal legislation are comprehensive and can address almost any issue relating to the discharge of firearms.” Therefore, not having a By-law is a “viable option.”
Perry resident, Ian Todd, spoke on behalf of community members about the new draft he referred to as “troubling” with concerns including the classification of the Township’s By-law Officer, definition of firearms, and exemptions of firearm discharge.
He suggested the OPP are more equipped to handle firearm issues because of “threats to safety.” He inquired, “Why is Perry Township willing to put By-law Officers in harms way knowing that they do not have the appropriate training or equipment to handle potentially dangerous situations pertaining to firearms?”
He added that the Township allocated $493,151 for policing, which should include firearms. “Our taxes are climbing, and Council is wanting to direct more finances and resources into a field where the Township staff doesn’t need to be.”
The Township Mayor, Norm Hofstetter, advised that they are beginning to review the By-law and considering options. He said, “The old one’s going to be rescinded. I know that for sure. And whether or not we pass the new By-law, I have no idea.”
He indicated that Council must consider what control they have over the outskirts, and people on small lots wanting to fire guns.
“I know there’s people in this Township on 2 acre lots that bait the deer and they go in their garden shed and that’s how they do their hunting,” said Hofstetter.
He also expressed concern about the safety of the By-law Officer going on properties for gun issues that should involve the OPP, and said, “the Township’s caught in the middle of something we shouldn’t be involved in.”
The Township’s By-law Officer, Mike Wilmon, expressed concern about who’s responsible for discharging firearm matters. He said, “There is no provincial regulation that MNRF enforces discharging firearms adjacent to or near a dwelling.”
He concurred that it’s an OPP matter if someone calls at 11pm about shots fired because they can determine if it’s breaching the Criminal Code.
He added that people in Novar want to shoot firearms in their backyard, on ½ acre cottage lots, with lake access and developed properties beside them. “Some want to shoot geese on a small cottage lot,” he said.
“They don’t have something that says, ‘You have to be x distance from this house to shoot the gun.’ It’s not there. The question is distance,” said Wilmon.
He continued, “Things have changed, common sense isn’t there anymore, unfortunately.”
Hofstetter indicated that the Township welcomes public input about the By-law, and staff will review it and other information and report back in a future meeting that will be announced on their website.
