Council debates city limits target practice rules, seeks clearer ordinance language

Councilors in Alexander City spent extended discussion time during new business on clarifying rules for shooting, target practice and hunting within city limits, focusing on safety concerns and how the city’s ordinance defines "elevated platforms" and aims toward residences.

Speakers noted ambiguity in the existing code. One council member said the code’s language was "a little bit vague" and that it was difficult to specify height thresholds because a person standing on a low platform or a center block could be considered "elevated." Speakers discussed examples such as a 10-foot platform, portable tripods or lawn structures that could be construed as elevated, and raised concerns about ricochet, missed shots and lines of fire toward houses, roadways and drainage easements.

Several participants urged rewording rather than leaving the provision vague. Councilors and other speakers suggested limiting aim that is "in line with any residence or homes," and discussed accessible areas and easements where hunting might be allowed but which are difficult for the public to access. One participant noted that the state Fish and Game code likewise contains no clear definition of "elevated platform."

The transcript shows the council discussed possibly rewording the ordinance and whether to table the item, but it does not record any formal motion or vote adopting new ordinance language in the provided excerpts. Councilors emphasized safety and enforceability as the primary goals for revising the code.

If the council wants to proceed, staff would need to draft specific language that defines prohibited aim, clarifies what constitutes an elevated platform and identifies permissible hunting areas or easements; the transcript excerpt does not show such a draft being presented that evening.