Stafford County Considering Changes to Air Gun, Archery Ordinance

The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star reports that Stafford Board of Supervisors on Tuesday considered amendments to the part of the county code that deals with how pneumatic guns, firearms and arrows can be used, bringing the air gun ordinance in line with state law:

The amendments allow pneumatic guns to be shot outside of the county’s no-shooting zones. Under the changes, pneumatic guns including BB guns, paintball guns and pellet guns would be allowed at facilities approved for shooting ranges, properties where firearms can be shot and on private property with permission of the property owner as long as “reasonable care” is taken to prevent a projectile from crossing the property’s boundaries.

With the proposed changes, those under 16 wouldn’t be able to use pneumatic guns unless they are accompanied by an adult. Punishments for violators were relaxed under the proposed changes from a Class 2 misdemeanor to a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Currently, pneumatic guns can’t be used in no-shooting zones, on public streets and in public places.

One Supervisor questioned why 16 was chosen as the age that requires supervision by an adult.  County staff noted that the Code of Virginia references the restriction and Sheriff Charles Jett said his office doesn’t have any statistical data that indicates that an air gun is more dangerous in the hands of a 14-year-old versus a 16-year-old.

The proposed changes to the archery ordinance was similar to the air gun change.  Currently, the county allows arrows to be shot only by licensed hunters or at archery ranges. In line with state law related to shooting air guns, the proposed changes would allow property owners to have archery target practice on their land as long as the other properties aren’t impacted.  Supervisors voted to place the matter with a county committee.

Laporte Archery Skeet Machine Demo at Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club

At the next regular meeting of the Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club on Thursday, August 9, Laporte Archery will be putting on a demo for their archery skeet machine. You'll have a chance to try and shoot a 12 inch disc out of the air with a bow and arrow. The event will be starting around 5:30pm at the upper range. It'll be a blast.

Hat tip to RRPC.

Hunger Games Star: "Screw PETA"

Last week Cam Edwards of NRANews.com's Cam and Company shared how the hit movie "The Hunger Games" is having a positive impact on the sport of archery.

Now comes word via Petersen's Hunting that the Oscar nominee star of the film also has some choice words for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA):

"Hunger Games" Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence is apparently as cool in real life as she is playing Katniss, a bowhunting supersurvivor in the blockbuster movie. The 21-year-old beauty gutted a squirrel in the most talked-about scene for her role in 2010’s "Winter’s Bone" (for which she was nominated). The scene was not faked, she told Rolling Stone magazine: “I should say it wasn’t real, for PETA,” she said. “But screw PETA.”

Lawrence also told Rolling Stone that after she completes filming of her next movie, she plans to buy a house, a dog, and a shotgun.  You go girl!

Update: PETA has hit back:

"The squirrel was 's**ewed,' not PETA... We hope Jennifer will learn from other young celebrities like Justin Bieber, Lea Michelle and Kellan Lutz, who are using their influence to help, rather than hurt, animals."

I knew there was a reason I did not let my daughters listen to Justin Bieber.