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Resident urges ban on firearm discharge at county cemetery after Memorial Day incident
Summary
A public commenter told commissioners a person fired a rifle from a pickup near the county cemetery during a Memorial Day event, raising safety and liability concerns; deputies reviewed the incident and recommended a rule or resolution to enable citations under Montana law if necessary.
During public comment on July 15 a Daniels County resident described an incident at the county cemetery on Memorial Day in which a person fired a rifle from a pickup truck while people were gathered for a flag ceremony. The commenter said the rifle protruded from the vehicle window and described the moment as unsafe; a deputy later visited the scene and took notes but the commenter said they had not received a formal report in time for the meeting.
The commenter urged the commissioners to adopt a rule or resolution prohibiting discharge of firearms at county cemeteries to reduce liability and protect visitors. Commissioners and deputies discussed whether existing Montana law might apply and referenced a provision in Montana Code that could support a citation if a large number of people were endangered; deputies indicated that enforcement would be easier if the county adopted a clear local rule or resolution.
Why it matters: The incident raised public-safety and liability concerns in a high-foot-traffic setting; commissioners signaled they would revisit the matter with the cemetery board and consider a resolution or posting that would allow deputies to issue citations in the future.
At the meeting a participant described calling the sheriff because the situation felt unsafe: "I ended up calling the sheriff on that cuz it it was unsafe," and later recounted the deputy’s initial follow-up. Commissioners suggested discussing a narrowly written resolution and asked cemetery board members to take the issue up at their next meeting.
No formal county ordinance or resolution was passed at the July 15 meeting; the cemetery board was encouraged to reintroduce a resolution at its next meeting and the county will consider signage and a possible rule to support enforcement.
Quotes and attribution: Resident John recounted the Memorial Day event and his calls to the sheriff; deputies and commissioners discussed Montana statutory language and enforcement thresholds before agreeing to pursue a local rule or resolution if the cemetery board supports it.
Next steps: Cemetery board to consider amendments and the county will explore a concise, enforceable posting or resolution to prohibit discharge of firearms at county cemeteries outside enumerated exceptions.
