Council approves second reading of carry-concealed-weapons ordinance

The Dell Rapids City Council on May 4 approved second reading of Ordinance 9-59, which updates local rules on carrying and discharging weapons. The measure was moved and seconded and passed after a brief public comment and council clarification about which code sections would remain in force.

Resident David Schmidt raised safety concerns during public comment, noting neighborhood lot sizes and fire-suppression constraints. "What's gonna happen when somebody uses an air gun next door? Somebody shooting an archery next door," Schmidt said, urging the council to consider backdrop and public-safety implications. Council members clarified the scope of the repeal: Christina, the finance officer and clerk, said the council was "not repealing section 15 96 or 15 97," and that the action targeted section 15.95 only. The motion to adopt the ordinance carried and the council recorded "motion carried" in the minutes; no further amendments were adopted.

The ordinance was considered during the old-business portion of the agenda as a second reading. According to the meeting record, nearby code sections governing discharge remain active; council members said the change was targeted and limited to the section identified in the ordinance text. The council did not direct additional staff follow-up beyond adoption.