Over 100 complaints of stray bullets striking Wake homes, new rules for firing recreational firearms
Rules for recreational gun use in rural parts of Wake County are changing.
The changes come after more than 100 complaints from Knightdale homeowners about stray bullets hitting their homes.
Broken windows, a shattered fence and a narrow miss for a family dog – just a few examples of stray bullets putting Wake residents on high alert.
Shannon Hardy, a Knightdale resident who was nearly hit by gunfire on two separate occasions, hopes the guidance encourages more accountability for gun owners.
"You have all these gun owners that don’t even realize how far the bullets travel," said Hardy. "They don’t realize their impact on their community."
Changes worth noting:
- You now have to be 300 yards from a home or building before shooting.
- That’s an increase from 100 yards.
- Gun users must use a backstop to stop bullets.
- Shooting a gun for recreational purposes is not allowed from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Maximum fine for violating the rules has increased from $50 to $500.
Wake County Board of Commissioner Chairman Sig Hutchinson says these close calls prompted county leaders to make changes to laws on the books for outdoor shooting.
"We cannot have bullets flying through people’s houses and backyards. We have to keep people safe," said Hutchinson. "As urbanizing center encroach into rural settings, we have to readjust how we think about how we fire our firearms."
However, not everyone agrees with the changes. Andy Stevens with Grassroots North Carolina advocates for gun rights and says the changes are unnecessary.
"This is another step in the direction of preventing lawful Wake County citizens across the county for the misbehavior of a few, that are preventing those who want to train properly, who want to be responsible and doing so in a way that creates a property rights issue," said Stevens.
For those who've had close calls, however, the updated rules provide some hope that there will be a decrease in stray bullets flying.
These new rules apply to unincorporated areas in Wake County. Changes to ordinance will take effect December 9.
