Firearms bylaw draws attention

Opinions for and against, ahead of public meeting on Tuesday

Most of the time Trent Hills council quietly goes about its business without attracting much attention from residents. But this spring council has taken on two hot topics: regulation of short-term rentals, aka Airbnbs, and the discharge of firearms in built-up areas.

The short-term rental issue is still bubbling on the back burner with a revamped proposal due to come back to council, but the plan to have a firearms bylaw, or not, heats up on Tuesday with a public meeting that is expected to attract a crowd.

The issue has drawn the ire of many long-time residents and hunters who feel that the idea of a bylaw is being introduced by outsiders from “the city”.

“As this community has evolved, it’s been obvious that people have come to our community in the hopes of enjoying the scenic, tranquil rural setting,” wrote resident Aaron Nicholas. “But what they didn’t realize was that their ideals was not what reality was.”

He argues that the smell of manure, the noise of farm equipment and the discharge of firearms are all country features that many newcomers don’t like.

“By placing further restrictions, we would be losing our rural community’s own identity and traditions,” Nicholas writes.

The agenda for the meeting, which will take place at 6 p.m. in the council chambers, upstairs at the Emergency Services Centre on Doxsee St. South, includes written and email submissions from 29 individuals, most but not all, opposed to any restrictions.

The current bylaw prohibits the discharge of firearms in Campbellford but nowhere else. It was not updated when the Mike Harris government forced amalgamation in the late 1990s. The proposed bylaw would extend that prohibition to Hastings and Warkworth; to hamlets such as Trent River and Norham; to recreational and residential developments; and to shoreline areas with residential development. It would also prohibit shooting on any property smaller than one hectare (2.5 acres).

Several residents, including a few retired police officers, argued that current federal laws and provincial hunting laws provide more than enough controls, if they are enforced.

In his submission, Charles (Skip) Exton, a retired Toronto police officer, sets out the Criminal Code and provincial laws that control hunting and argues that enforcing those laws should be enough.

Exton is a member of the Campbellford Pistol and Revolver Club and he and other members expressed the fear that any bylaw might force the club to close. They noted that the club is regularly inspected and must meet federal rules.

Several residents also noted the firearms handling and safety courses that all hunters must take.

The push to review the firearms issue came from Christine Trillliard, who lives on the Trent River just south of Healey Falls. That part of the river is a favourite with geese and other waterfowl, which makes it a favourite spot with hunters in the fall.

Trillard says a neighbour of hers was frightened when another neighbour started shooting at the geese from his backyard. She says in her submission that when she complained to the municipality, the OPP, and the Ministry of Natural Resources, among others, she was told nothing could be done and it was up to the municipality to restrict such shooting with a bylaw.

“Personally, I have not had any concerns about hunting until two years ago when people from out of town bought a house a few doors away and immediately decided to shoot geese from their yard,” Trillard wrote. “When the goose season begins in September, we cannot sit outside in our yards in case people start shooting. Feeling unsafe in our own backyards is not something we ever imagined would happen in our Trent Hills community.”

Dale Murphy wrote that she was the neighbour who prompted Trillard to act. Murphy purchased her home on Canal Rd. three years ago and last fall was frightened when she heard gunshots.

“Scared me to pieces,” she said. “I feel like I can't go outside re danger to me and/or my critters. … I was scared and felt betrayed, and the threat of having to move again, was overwhelming.  I don't want to be where I can't trust being outside.”

Trillard said she contacted many agencies in an effort to stop the backyard shooting.

“Because our part of the river is a feeding zone for many Great Blue Herons and also a nesting area for osprey, I requested that they consider this a sanctuary and ban hunting from backyards between lock 13 and 14,” she wrote. “After two hundred emails and hours of telephone calls it was determined that only my local municipality was responsible for imposing bylaws in relation to the discharge of firearms.”

Another resident of County Road 50, Micol Marotti, said she supported the bylaw.

“I'm writing to you to please ask you to support and pass a bylaw regulating the discharge of firearms in residential areas,” she said. “A person was seen shooting at geese and birds into the lilac bushes in my backyard, and indiscriminately into the waterfront.”

“Other Northumberland municipalities have firearm discharge bylaws, and local hunters are not disrupted by these bylaws and continue to enjoy hunting rights,” she wrote. “What we are asking for is a bylaw to regulate dangerous misuse of firearms close to residential areas, so that we can maintain the safety of area residents.  Please help us maintain the happy, relaxed and wonderful community that we have, by giving us the tools to stop the misuse of firearms for those who do not respect our community.”

No action will be taken at the meeting on Tuesday. The issue will be sent to council for a decision in the future. I’ll do another story to let you know what happens at the meeting.