PLATTSBURGH — The Town of Plattsburgh has passed a local law that bans rifle fire on Cumberland Head.
The measure was adopted to protect the safety of Cumberland Head residents and those who travel its roads, including the heavily traveled connector road.
"We are telling people that in this area, this is not a safe way to hunt," Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said.
The law doesn't ban other legal weapons, such as shotguns, muzzle loaders, black powder firearms and bow and arrow.
"This is not an attempt to ban hunting on Cumberland Head," Town Councilor Gerard Renadette affirmed.
Councilor Martin Mannix said the issue was first brought to his attention as he ran for office in 2007. He was surprised to learn that rifle hunting was going on in that area.
"I think this is the right thing for us to do. I don't think we are infringing on the rights of hunters in any way."
The law makes firing a rifle on Cumberland Head a misdemeanor. It is punishable by a fine of $50 to $500 and/or imprisonment up to six months.
The Cumberland Head area is defined as all lands east of Route 9 in the Town of Plattsburgh, starting at the intersection of that road and Interstate 87 and extending north to the boundary of the Town of Beekmantown.
A rifle is defined as a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade and intended to be fired from the shoulder, using the energy off the explosive to fire a single projectile through a rifle bore for each pull of the trigger.
Exceptions include self defense and law-enforcement officers in performance of their duties.
Bassett said the town will give notices to those who issue hunting licenses and to area law-enforcement agencies that cover Cumberland Head.
The town will also install signs to inform the public and travelers about the law.
The law goes into effect once it is filed with the New York Department of State, which is expected to happen soon.
E-mail Dan Heath at:
dheath@pressrepublican.com
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
