*** Warning: Sarcasm ahead! ***
After having solved all other problems within their city, the town called Surprise passed an ordinance banning the firing of most weapons. The original list included the firing of bows and arrows. I’m not sure how you shoot a bow, but it certainly sounds dangerous. I understand how you shoot an arrow, but I admit that shooting a bow into the air does sound dangerous!
The city, after hearing impassioned pleas from archers including an archer, Eric Bennett, that participated in the 2008 Paralympic Games, decided to back down from the ban on firing bows and arrows.
Surprise resident Eric Bennett, 34, is an avid archer and competed this month in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Bennett said a ban would prohibit him from practicing for future tournaments, as well as his mission to teach youth.
“Archery is an Olympic sport that allows athletes, young and old, an opportunity to compete and be active,” he said.
Kari Granville, a board member of the Arizona State Archery Association, told Council members they could write a policy to deter misuse but at the same time foster archery as a sport. Council appeared receptive to the idea.
For greater clarification, lets hear from the sheriff:
The Surprise Police Department sought the ban because of safety concerns.
Surprise Police Chief Daniel Hughes said he is open to discussion about the ban.
Hughes said the ban was never intended to hinder sportsmen, but rather inexperienced or irresponsible shooters that pose a threat to themselves or their neighbors.
“It’s always been about public safety,” Hughes said.
Good move Chief Hughes! (no relation to our own Coach Jeremy Hughes, I’m sure!) The old “You’ll shoot your eye out kid!” argument always elicits an impassioned response from city councils.
Weapons on the list include firearms, BB and pellet guns, dart guns and slingshots.
You know what this means! If you purchased “A Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time” for a friend, niece, or nephew in Surprise, AZ, you’ll have to seek a refund. BB Guns are POTENTIALLY dangerous, and therefore banned.
“It’s always been about public safety,” Hughes said.
Read more here:
Surprise City Council backs off of city bow-and-arrow ban
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