Community Corner

Last Chance to Attend Hunting, Firearms Laws' Public Hearing

A public hearing will be held at Wildwood City Hall Tuesday evening to determine if the city's current set of hunting and firearms regulations should be altered for additional public safety. Where should the lines be drawn?

Tuesday evening's public hearing about hunting and firearms at gives anyone with a firm opinion about the current set of dictating laws in the city a chance to weigh in.

The 6:30 p.m. public hearing will cover Wildwood's current hunting and firearms regulations that govern the locations where hunting is permitted as well as the types of devices permitted for hunting, including air guns, archery devices and firearms.

Wildwood city officials indicate the intent of Tuesday's review is to determine if the current set of regulations are sufficient to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare from hunting activities throughout the city.

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As reported in Eureka-Wildwood Patch on Feb. 28, Wildwood resident Tom Mitchell recommended a few amendments at the Feb. 27 city council meeting to Wildwood's present laws, changes which would restrict projectile-type shotguns and muzzleloaders in the city's more densely populated portions. Mitchell, a self-professed hunter, prior to the meeting had presented his perspective to the city's Board of Public Safety.

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Mitchell also presented the recommendation at a March 6 Administration/Public Works Committee meeting that the types of firearms—specifically shotguns and muzzleloaders—be prohibited for hunting east of Missouri Route 109. He said his suggestion was due to the fact modern versions of these types of firearms have much longer shooting ranges, causing a higher risk of danger to others.

In a report from Wildwood's Administration/Public Works Committee, it stated committee members discussed having different regulations on the east or west side of Route 109 may not be appropriate either, given the fact that both sides of Route 109 have both large undeveloped properties and higher-density residential areas.

Click here to see a map created to identify properties within Wildwood that are less than 3 acres, 3 to 10 acres and more than 10 acres.

The gun-related debate in Wildwood comes at a time when state legislators appear to be loosening gun restrictions. In fact, a gun rally is slated to be held April 18 between 10 a.m. to noon at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City in the rotunda, which rally proponents indicate is to reinforce Second Amendment rights.

Prior to Monday evening's Wildwood city council meeting adjournment, Ward 6 council member Ron James invited the large number of attendees to also participate in Tuesday's hearing about this gun and hunting matter. "We'd like a lot of input," he said.

Editor's Note: Here are comments posted to the original Mitchell-related article from Eureka-Wildwood Patch readers. Thanks for expressing your viewpoints.

Marc Perez—"You can't regulate "common sense". It is self responsibility. The basics of shooting....Safety on, be sure of your target, check the "background", release safety then fire. I bow hunt in in Wildwood, I've killed several deer over the past 3 years and I use a cross bow. I know my arrow can fly a long, long way. I alwys make sure the flight of the arrow will never cross a property line from where I hunt and there are no people, no structures even if I miss! NO you cannot stop irresponsible people from doing irresponsible things."

Scott Eguires—"East of 109 goes all the way out to Eureka. I am sure many landowners would not appreciate their rights being taken away."

Devon Johnson—"I am a 10 year veteran of law enforcement. I am also a N.R.A. Law Enforcement Instructor for rifle, handgun and shotgun of 6 years. I am a certified armorer and expert. I am a 20 year resident of the Christmas Valley Subdivision. I for one disagree with Mr. Mitchell's misguided and unsupported power point on firarms dangers. I have yet to hear of a single injury or death from a firearm within the boundaries of Wildwood. If Mr. Mitchell would like to secure safety for the residents perhaps he might fight to enact legislation to ban cellular phone use while operating the 3 ton SUV's so popular in the area. I work in north St. Louis as a patrolman and still the most frightening part of my day is dodging the inattentive drivers reading from a Crate and Barrel catalog, gossiping on the phone while at the wheel of the Eddie Bauer Edition Panzer Tank or Tahoe. Anything can be misused or abused, and punishing those exhibiting a standard of care is just poor practice. Furthermore, I certainly would appreciate it if you wouldn't finish your anti- 2nd amendment power points with the American flag. I fear those who shed tears and blood to preserve it with a loaded gun in their hand will have died in vain, I for one would like to request on behalf of the soldiers, police officers and firefighters would like to see you serve that flag before you fly it in effort to gravely diminish the rights empowered beneath it's majestic colors."

Nick Riggio—"This guy is obviously not who he says he is. What is his ulterior motive? Does he have an interest in a deer eradication company that will be vying for a contract if this ridiculous change is passed? What he really wants is to ban hunting and our rights. We can legally discharge regular modern hi-powered firearms on our property target shooting but he wants to restrict primitive weapons and shotguns during hunting seasons. Tell us your true motives Tom Mitchell! Meeting at Wildwood City Hall, April 10, 2012 at 6:30 pm for those opposed to the changes proposed by Tom Mitchell. Come out and support your rights or risk loosing them. Contact your Wildwood Representatives and tell them your concerns over this proposal."


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