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Council introduces tougher firearm-discharge ordinance; resident cites recent shootings, public hearing set
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance to expand prohibitions and penalties on discharging firearms and scheduled a public hearing in two weeks. Resident Tia Fields spoke during the introduction saying she had received alerts about burglaries and two shootings in one week and asked the council to consider safety implications.
The City of Baker introduced Ordinance 2026-24, described by the mayor as a revision to Chapter 14 (discharging of firearms) that would expand prohibited conduct, increase penalties and provide for enhanced enforcement. Because the measure is an introduction, council set a public hearing and a dedicated public-comment period for the ordinance in two weeks where residents will have three minutes each to speak.
During the introductory discussion, resident Tia Fields approached the podium and identified herself as a Baker resident of 90 days. Fields told the council she chose Baker for her children's safety but had "received alerts about burglaries, shootings twice this week," and asked that the council take the community's safety concerns into account as it drafts the ordinance. The mayor thanked her, noted the comment was "on the record," and invited her to return at the public hearing to provide fuller remarks.
Councilmembers voted to introduce the ordinance that evening; the introduction does not change law until a later public hearing and final vote. The mayor and council emphasized that the public hearing will allow residents to address the proposed changes and for staff to clarify enforcement mechanisms and penalties.
Ending: The ordinance will be formally posted for a public hearing in two weeks; residents wishing to speak should follow the council's public-comment rules and register at that hearing to deliver remarks.
