Politics & Government

Line-of-Fire Bullets Zing in Wildwood

A Wildwood hunter presents rationales about why certain types of guns should no longer be allowed to be shot in Wildwood areas east of Missouri Route 109. He says safety of innocent bystanders is the priority.

A self-professed lifetime hunter who resides in Wildwood recommended a few amendments to Wildwood's hunting and firearms regulations at Monday evening's city council meeting. The proposed changes would restrict projectile-type shotguns and muzzleloaders in the city's more densely populated portions.

High caliber rifles already are prohibited in Wildwood east of Missouri Route 109, however presenter Tom Mitchell said today's shotgun and muzzleloaders mimic the "punch" and "range" of their high-powered counterparts, thereby presenting the same lethal abilities. His presentation includes details from the Missouri Department of Conservation and a photo of the outcome of such a shot on a young deer. He suggests still allowing air guns limited to .22 caliber.

Mitchell, who has lived in since 2001 off Shepard Road, told council members that community safety was his sole motivation for addressing the city's current hunting and firearms regulations. "I have harvested large and small game my entire life," he said. "I have no political agendas, do not want to ban hunting and do not want to enfringe on the rights of those who live west of Highway 109. I'm here about safety, period.

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Living where I live, tending horses, walking your dog, you have to assume you're going to be shot at."

He said the likelihood is great of Wildwood residents in his residential area of Christmas Valley inadvertently being in the line of fire of a bullet when they are getting the mail, working outside or taking a walk—even if responsible hunters are taking safety precautions, due to Wildwood's terrain. He referenced other recent cases of accidental deaths happening from long distances, such as the Amish girl in Ohio killed by a bullet sent from 1.5 miles away, due to people firing their muzzleloaders to empty so they could be cleaned.

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Mitchell said because it is impossible to see where houses and buildings are in Wildwood's hills and woods, it would be easy for hunters to not know they are aiming toward people, animals or buildings. He also said Wildwood's current ordinance references to not shoot toward buildings are impossible to enforce because many of those who come to Wildwood to hunt do not know where the buildings even are.

"I don't trust anyone I don't know in the woods," he said, citing that his family refrains from doing certain outdoor activities during the 42 days of hunting season.

With a hunting season that used to be only 10 days, Mitchell said the new period is 282 percent more days than in the past—presenting nearly a 300 percent increase in the chance of accidents occurring.

Mitchell first presented to Wildwood's board of public safety on Feb. 9, which is comprised of three community volunteers, the city marshal, a council liaison and a police liaison. He was convincing enough to earn their recommendation for him to take the changes to the next step with their endorsement to city council members.

Council member David Geile, Ward 1, asked at Monday's meeting what was "magic" about the delineation of east of Missouri Route 109 versus higher powered rifles being allowed in the western part of the municipality. Ryan Thomas, director of Wildwood's public works, said it was due to population density.

Wildwood's current ordinance states no one should be firing a firearm at less than 450 feet away from any house or building.

Council member Larry McGowen, Ward 1, who said he only allows bowhunting on his Wildwood property, asked if any incidents or accidental shootings had occurred in the area targeted for ordinance changes. Capt. Kenneth Williams, St. Louis County Police Department-Wildwood (6th) Precinct, said he did not know of any such incidents.

"Stray bullets are real safety hazards. I don't want to wait until there is someone shot to change this," said Mitchell.

To review Mitchell's entire PowerPoint presentation, click here.

He recommends hunting in the eastern portion of Wildwood be limited to bows, atlatls, crossbows, shotgun pellets and .22 caliber guns or airguns only.

Council member Michele Bauer, Ward 8, recommended the matter be referred to a committee so further data, such as law enforcement records and regulations from surrounding cities, could be reviewed before any decisions. Council members voted to send the request to the administrative/public works committee, whose next meeting is March 6.

This is not the first time the danger of stray bullets or ammunition has surfaced in Wildwood. See previous Eureka-Wildwood Patch article: 


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