Advertisement

Hunting Ban Proposed In Peachtree Corners

Tonight's 7 p.m. meeting would mean no archery hunting or recreational shooting would be allowed inside the city limits.

Brad Gill | October 18, 2016

A ban on all hunting and recreational archery shooting could come as a result of a proposed ordinance that will be discussed at a Peachtree Corners City Council meeting tonight, Oct. 18.

In addition to hunters, the proposed ordinance apparently would affect archers who like to target practice in their own yards. The wording of the Peachtree Corners proposal states, “It shall be unlawful to discharge any firearm, air gun, BB gun, bow, crossbow or any missile within the residential areas of the City of Peachtree Corners.”

The proposal will be discussed tonight, and Gwinnett County sportsmen have been spreading the word today in hopes to fill the room with hunters and recreational archery shooters.

While the wording from the Peachtree Corners proposal mentions an ordinance “to ban hunting,” municipalities don’t have that authority. Only state law and regulation can restrict hunting. Cities and counties do have the authority to regulate weapons discharge when there are issues with public safety.

GON tried several times to reach Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason for a phone interview. He sent a statement by e-mail as to why the ban was on the table.

“Currently, it is not illegal to hunt in Peachtree Corners with a gun or bow,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “The ordinance to ban hunting with a gun or bow in residential areas comes from the numerous complaints that have been received from citizens who are concerned with their own safety as well as the safety of their children and neighbors.”

Luke Crawford, of Peachtree Corners, is a hunter who said that even though hunters can legally hunt with a gun in Gwinnett County, he doesn’t know anyone who actually uses a modern firearm inside the Peachtree Corners city limits since the state hunting regulation prohibits the discharge of a firearm 50 yards from a public road. Luke says the current state regulation pretty much means that no rifle hunting can take place inside the Peachtree Corners city limits.

Luke has an issue with the proposed ban on bowhunting and shooting archery equipment for recreational purposes inside the city limits. Under the current proposal, not only would all archery hunting be banned, but youth who participate in the National Archery In The Schools program could not even practice with their bows in their yards at home.

Tonight’s Peachtree Corners Council Meeting is at 7 p.m. at Peachtree Corners City Hall, 147 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092. For further questions or comments, call (678) 691-1200. Tonight’s agenda can be viewed at http://www.peachtreecornersga.gov/home/showdocument?id=3737.

Become a GON subscriber and enjoy full access to ALL of our content.

New monthly payment option available!

Advertisement

Advertisement