Title
Discharge of Firearms Bylaw No. 11-2011
Proposed Motion
That Bylaw No. 11-2011 receive third and final reading.
Body
Parkland County Discharge of Firearms Bylaw No. 11-2011 to restrict the discharge of firearms in residential subdivisions and Hamlets.
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the implementation of the amended bylaw. The additional restrictions to include all subdivisions and hamlets send a message of consistency throughout Parkland County.
Purpose
Parkland County Mayor and Council with the endorsement of the RCMP have recommended this change.
Summary
Bylaw No. 11-2011 proposes to restrict the discharge of firearms in Amisk Acres, and also in Hamlets, Parks, and multi Parcel residential subdivisions as defined in the Land Use Bylaw. The Bylaw further proposes that the current restricted shooting Zone Bylaw No. 6-2009 be repealed, with all of the conditions of Bylaw No. 6-2009 being included in the Discharge of Firearms Bylaw No. 11-2011.
The Municipal Government Act allows municipalities to enact bylaws restricting the use and discharge of firearms providing the bylaw is approved by the Minister responsible for the Wildlife Act. Parkland County initially sent the bylaw for ministerial approval in June of 2011. The Minister asked for changes to the bylaw based on comments from staff at SRD as well as Alberta Fish and Wildlife. In December of 2011 Parkland County made changes to Bylaw No. 11-2011, which has now received ministerial approval.
The next step in enacting this Bylaw is to have Council give Bylaw No. 11-2011 third reading. By Council giving Bylaw No. 11-2011 third reading, the Bylaw will become enforceable in Parkland County. It is important to note that because enforcement of the Bylaw deals with the discharge of firearms; the ability for Parkland County Peace Officers to enforce the Bylaw is limited. The Peace Officer regulations as set out by the Alberta Solicitor General prohibit Peace Officers fr...
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