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Jim Wells County tables ordinance to prohibit firearms discharge in unincorporated subdivisions for further revision
Summary
Commissioners discussed a state-model ordinance limiting discharge of firearms and air guns in unincorporated subdivisions of 10 acres or less, debated exceptions (self-defense, shotguns during hunting season, BB/airsoft), and voted to table the item for legal redrafting.
Jim Wells County Commissioners Court discussed a proposed ordinance to prohibit discharge of firearms, air guns and hunting with bows and arrows on lots of 10 acres or less in unincorporated subdivisions and voted to table the measure for revisions.
A law-enforcement speaker described recurring calls where residents reported bullets passing near homes and children at play and said a county ordinance would give deputies clearer authority to address unsafe discharges. The speaker also commended County Attorney Michael Guerra for drafting the ordinance language.
Commissioners and law enforcement discussed several specific points the court asked the county attorney to address: whether the ordinance should treat BB/pellet/airsoft guns and paintball equipment the same as firearms, how to handle shotgun hunting (for example, dove hunting during season), whether a size threshold of “10 acres or less” should be amended to “less than 10 acres,” and what exceptions (self-defense, law enforcement, incorporated areas) should look like.
Patrick and emergency-management presenters were asked technical questions but the principal policy discussion focused on public safety, defensible exceptions and enforcement. Some commissioners favored keeping the state-model 10-acre threshold; others asked for narrower language to avoid unintentionally covering property owners who maintain personal shooting ranges or legitimate hunting on larger tracts.
County Attorney Michael Guerra was asked to redraft the ordinance language to clarify exceptions for self-defense, law enforcement, hunting with shotguns (during season), and to consider striking or qualifying language about BB, pellet and airsoft guns. Commissioners then moved and seconded a motion to table the item to allow the attorney to return with corrected language; the motion passed.
No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the item was tabled for further revision and legal review.
