Police Chief Zoran Yankovich got a bit of a surprise last week while researching the city’s firearm code.
According to the code, no one – not even the chief himself – can shoot a firearm inside city limits. Section 30.10.050 of the city code simply states it is illegal to discharge a firearm in the city. If taken literally, that means the junior high rifle club and the police force repeatedly have been violating the city code.
Yankovich came upon the out-dated code last Wednesday and immediately asked the mayor to recommend amending it. “I thought it was too restrictive,” the surprised chief said, “the way it’s written now, nobody can discharge a firearm within city limits.”
A new ordinance will be introduced at the next city council, Yankovich said, adding it will allow firearms to be discharged as long as the police chief approves it and, as in the case of the rifle club, there is supervision of the firing. The new code also will allow the police force to practice pistol shooting at the firing range which should be ready by the end of July on Carl Heinmiller’s gravel pit land behind Deishu Drive.