A Slate Belt townships elected officials said they are looking for ways to protect residents from potential disturbances from recreational gunfire while maintaining Second Amendment rights.

Upper Mount Bethel Township supervisors have been discussing potentially adopting an ordinance that would put restrictions on shooting firearms in the township.

At Mondays supervisors meeting, which was live streamed on Facebook, township solicitor Ron Karasek presented supervisors with an existing firearms ordinance from neighboring Stroud Township, Monroe County, as a starting point for discussion of an ordinance the township might consider.

Supervisors have received complaints through the years from some residents about loud gunfire heard late at night and shooting occurring close to property borders without buffers.

Supervisor Martin Pinter said he owns guns and shoots but some people have been shooting without taking their neighbors into consideration.

There are certain instances around the township where it is taken to an extreme, Pinter said.

Under Stroud Townships ordinance, shooting is prohibited before dawn, after dusk, or within 150 yards of an adjacent occupied structure.

The ordinance makes exceptions for hunting, farmers and indoor or outdoor shooting ranges.

Before any decision would be made on an ordinance, supervisors said they want to look at other municipalities firearms ordinances to weigh what provisions might be suited for Upper Mount Bethel Township.

Stroud Townships ordinance contains a provision stating a law enforcement officer is authorized to seize a firearm that is fired in a way that violates the ordinance.

A discussion Monday about firearms seizures caused a stir among some commenters watching the live stream of the meeting. Several people stated they object to the idea of the township seizing weapons.

However, Pinter said he would not support any Upper Mount Bethel Township ordinance that contained language about seizing weapons. Other supervisors echoed his sentiment.

I dont think seizures would benefit anybody, Pinter said. We are not going to make an ordinance to take away guns.

Karasek said an ordinance for a municipality to seize a firearm might be subject to challenge constitutionally.

Supervisors Chairman John Bermingham said he respects peoples Second Amendment rights but the township also must consider ways to deal with residents who use firearms negligently.

Township resident Richard Klingle Jr. said if the township tells people where they can shoot on their properties it will be a problem.

Many residents hunt and sight-in rifles on their properties and firearms restrictions would interfere with long-standing activities in the township, Klingle said.

The supervisors are likely to discuss the matter again at their Aug. 10 meeting.

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John Best is a freelance contributor to lehighvalleylive.com. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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