The Pierce County Council unanimously approved an ordinance removing the prohibition against the discharge of firearms on 285 acres — or eight parcels — of land known as the Mountain View Dairy in the unincorporated Graham-Kapowsin area.
Getting rid of the no-shoot restrictions is meant to help manage elk herds and deal with waterfowl issues that could negatively impact the Orting Valley dairy near the foothills of Mount Rainier.
Council Chair Derek Young summarized the intent of the ordinance at the council meeting last week.
“The gist of it is, paraphrasing, that you may only impose them (firearm restrictions) in areas where it is not possible to shoot safely,” he said. “In order to impose that restriction, you have to be able to prove that.”
Young went on to explain the practical impact of the legislation.
“So, what does that mean?” he asked rhetorically.
It means there will still be some limitations when it comes to discharging firearms in the area.
“It doesn’t mean that we’re removing all the state’s restrictions,” Young explained. “You still can’t fire across a road. You still can’t fire towards a building. You still can’t fire within a certain distance at schools. You still can’t fire under certain conditions. All of those restrictions are still in place, but it just says there isn’t a blanket restriction in that area.”
Council members Dave Morell, Paul Herrera, Amy Cruver, Ryan Mello and Marty Campbell joined Young in voting to approve the ordinance.
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