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Council raises concern about AR‑15 use in recent in‑town incident; staff says state fish and game investigating
Summary
Council members and staff discussed a recent in‑town incident involving an AR‑15 used when a bear entered town. A staff member said the city has an ongoing investigation with the state fish and game agency and will meet with the police chief to review policies and response options.
Nome council members raised public‑safety concerns at the July 28 meeting after a recent in‑town incident in which an AR‑15 was used in response to a bear. The chair said the use of that type of weapon in town “really worries me.”
A staff member said the city has an ongoing investigation with the state fish and game agency and that the incident raised questions about property damage responsibility, tranquilizer/relocation options and the incident command role. The staff member said legal staff and state officials are engaged and that the city’s police chief has been cooperative; the staff member said they will meet with the chief the next afternoon to review policy and alternatives.
The council did not take formal action at the meeting but discussed exploring alternatives to routine use of an AR‑15 in town responses and asked staff to follow up with the police chief and state agencies.
