Council to Hold Public Hearing on Gun Restrictions Within City Limits

Kayla Desroches/KMXT

The Kodiak City Council is considering a ban on the discharge of firearms within city limits. It’ll hold a public hearing for that ordinance at its regular meeting Thursday night.

After a deer was legally harvested on Near Island in 2015 during the hunting season, the city administration decided it would be best to ban all so-called “dangerous weapon,” including “blow guns, BB guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, bows, compound bows” and “crossbows.” It would not limit the use of weapons in defense of life and property.

At the council’s work session Tuesday night, city resident and former Kodiak city councilman Jack Maker spoke during public comment. He said he understands the purpose of the ordinance, but said it could include exceptions for certain projectile weapons.

“We do have a lot of people that enjoy causal recreational target shooting in their backyards with pellet guns and with bows, and they do it in a safe and responsible manner. I’m one of those people. I have an appropriate backstop, I have a pellet trap. I actually shoot my Olympic match pellet pistols in my house at a distance of ten meters, which is the official match target range. This ordinance actually prevents me not only from doing that in my back yard, but it prohibits me from doing it in my own home.”

The City Council will accept more public comment at its regular meeting tonight. The ordinance is up for a final vote and public hearing. The regular meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the assembly chambers and air live here on KMXT.