Commissioners to hold hearing on proposed gunfire rules

The Pitt County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on an proposal to regulate gunfire near homes, schools, churches and other structures in unincorporated areas at its Oct. 21 meeting.

The ordinance was part of the board’s items for discussion on Monday, and a motion to hold the hearing passed 8-1 with Commissioner Lauren White in opposition. Any vote would require a second reading because criminal penalties are involved.

The ordinance was originally proposed in 2021. It was removed from consideration following pushback from pro-gun protesters. The board resurrected the proposal after residents continued to complain about neighbors firing weapons in close proximity to their homes at late hours.

The proposal would make it unlawful to discharge a firearm within 300 feet of a school, church, daycare, playground, park recreation area, residence business or occupied structure between dusk and dawn. It also regulates firing within 300 feet of livestock.

Joe Miller is among Staton Mill Road residents who advocated for the ordinance last month. During Monday’s public comment session he said that “bad actors” in his area north of Greenville cannot be discouraged without prohibitions on when or where firearms can be discharged. He surmised that 80-90% of his neighbors were on board with an ordinance and that one neighbor, who initially opposed it, agreed after he read over the ordinance.

Commissioner Chris Nunnally suggested staff should ask Pitt County Schools resource officers if 300 feet was enough address perceived threats to their institutions. He said he supported the ordinance in 2021 and said one needs to be considered within the calendar year.

Commissioner Mary Perkins-Williams expressed concern about defining the 300-foot distance, stating it might be difficult for someone to determine how far that is.

Pitt County Manager Janis Gallagher said that the distance is up to the board’s discretion, but staff developing the ordinance pulled 300 feet directly from state hunting regulations.

She said it would be important for Pitt County Attorney Matt Gibson to review the ordinance to ensure it complies with other regulations and determine what modifications could strengthen it.

Gibson said it is unclear at this time if an ordinance would conflict with any existing municipal rules on recreational firearm regulations.

The board’s Oct. 21 meeting is set for 6 p.m. in the Eugene James Auditorium, 1717 W. Fifth St.