Trending
NORWAY -- Hunting and shooting enthusiasts might want to take a look at a map before pulling the trigger in Norway.
The Norway City Council voted 5-0 on Monday night to adopt an updated version of its firearms ordinance.
"We basically are updating the '95 firearms ordinance," said Ray Anderson, city manager. "It's the map we're updating."
According to Anderson, the ordinance needed to be updated to encompass areas that have been developed over the past 25 years and now host a variety of structures, including residential housing. That includes several parcels south of North Stephenson Avenue/U.S. 2, from the Evangelical Covenant Church southeast to the intersection of U.S. 8 and Rolling Acres Road.
Other areas included in the amended ordinance were sections north of U.S. 2 from about Curry Road to Seventh Avenue, and another north of Strawberry Lake.
No one from the audience spoke during the council's public hearing Monday on the amended ordinance.
Anderson said the ordinance prohibits using any firearm or other device -- such as a bow, crossbow, airgun or spring-operated mechanism -- within the restricted areas.
"That's anything that shoots any kind of projectile, so it includes archery," he said, adding most of the areas under the ordinance also are covered by state restrictions. "You can't do it anyway."
According to guidelines posted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, no person may hunt with a firearm within 450 feet of an occupied building, dwelling, house, residence or cabin, or any barn or other building used in a farm operation, without obtaining the written permission of the owner or occupant of the property.
The safety zone applies to hunting only, however, and does not apply to indoor or outdoor shooting ranges, target shooting, law enforcement activities or the discharge of firearms for any non-hunting purpose.
The city ordinance goes further, stating, "No person shall discharge any firearms or hunt within the designated area of the city ... except law enforcement officers in the performance of their lawful duties."
Individuals can apply to the city for an exemption from the ordinance, such as for a rifle or trap shooting range, with the council making the decision.
In other business Monday, council members unanimously approved buying a new Dodge Charger patrol vehicle for the Norway Police Department from LaFontaine Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat of Lansing through a state purchasing program, at a cost of about $40,700.
The city will pay the first $21,000 and use a $23,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant to cover the rest, with any unused funds then being spent on accessories for the vehicle, Anderson said.
"We'll do some additional purchases," Anderson said. "We try to fund accessories that are needed for the vehicle.
"It's all grant money," he added. "Otherwise, (if it's not spent) you're sending the money back."