MACON, Ga. — On Monday night, a large group of people met with Macon-Bibb County commissioners for a third time to talk about a proposed rifle ordinance. It would prohibit people from firing rifles within 250 feet of a home, including for hunting.
"We have residents in our community that do not allow their grandchildren to play in their yards now because of the gunfire that they've heard," said homeowner Jimmy Corbett.
Corbett and other people who live off Lake Tobesofkee say they want an ordinance in place because of safety concerns.
However, Joe Donohue and other hunters disagree. They say hearing gunfire alone does not pose a threat to the families living there.
"We teach gun safety day in and day out to the youngsters, the ladies, to the guys who are just getting indoctrinated to it," said Donohue.
Hunter Tim Sizemore agreed.
"We've yet to be shown any evidence where a hunter stray bullet has, or any stray rounds, to cause unintended death or serious injury or any kind of property damage," said Sizemore.
One homeowner pleaded for a ban on hunting around the lake entirely.
"A 250-foot buffer will not protect us," said one homeowner.
After more than an hour of discussion from dozens of people, Mayor Robert Reichert said commission would work together and with people from both sides to revise the ordinance.
Commissioner Joe Allen says it is a step in the right direction.
"There's ways we can work around this. There's ways we can do things to protect everybody," said Allen.
Mayor Robert Reichert says commission will hold future public hearings after input from a working committee.
Commissioner Joe Allen says he hopes to have a vote in time for hunting season in the fall.
RELATED: Finding common ground: Macon hunters, homeowners speak out about proposed hunting restriction
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