Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department Firearms regulations and questions are popular topics of discussion. The laws are complex and change from time to time. One question we seem to deal with frequently pertains to the shooting of a gun within 500 feet of a home. I was asked to provide some information on this, including shooting on one’s own property. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269 Section 12E is the law pertaining to the discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of "a dwelling or other building in use." It does not cover property lines; it pertains to the actual location of structures. For example, someone is shooting on their own property and app. 100 feet from your boundary. If your house, or other applicable building, is further than 500 feet away, the activity is lawful. There are several exceptions present in this statute. One of these allows for shooting within this distance "with the consent of the owner or legal occupant thereof…" A person would therefore be allowed to shoot in their own yard and not be in violation. Another important point to take under consideration, is the presence of neighboring homes or buildings nearby. If these places would be within 500 feet of where the shooting is taking place, a person would need consent of those property owners to shoot. Without this, a violation would be in order. Penalties for a violation can include a fine of up to $150 and/or a jail term of up to three months. The discharge of firearms must always be taken seriously with the appropriate precautions. Bullets cannot be recalled in the event of a mistake. It is also advisable to notify neighbors if you will be target shooting. Often the sound can cause concern if people are not aware of what is occurring. It is also important to have a proper backstop for the bullets to land and be sure there is plenty of safe distance behind the target area. You do not want stray or missed bullets to cause injury or damage. Always be aware of your surroundings, exercise the appropriate care, and be cognizant of the possibility of a ricochet. As the pandemic continues and cases rise, we ask everyone to stay safe and continue to take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves. |
The work of the Town Officials, particularly our Administrator and most importantly, the Board of Health officials, is greatly appreciated. The rules regarding this virus seem to change constantly, and more pressure is placed on local governments to respond, all with limited resources. We continue to serve the people of Dudley and work with the community to improve the quality of life for everyone. I thank the men and women from my department for their continued dedicated service to the Town during these trying times. Thanks also go out to the many Police Officers, Fire and Emergency Services members, public works, health care, government and all other “essential” personnel for their continued hard work and service. We greatly appreciate the support we receive from our community.
Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St., Dudley, MA. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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