As Island County has become more densely populated, there are increasing safety concerns about the discharge of firearms in some densely populated neighborhoods. Unlike many surrounding counties, there is no process in Island County for citizens to request the creation of a no shooting area. This came to light last spring when over 150 neighbors from North Whidbey petitioned the Board of Island County Commissioners to establish such a process.

 

In response the Board held a series of discussions during open public meetings to address this concern and began drafting an ordinance for consideration. Specifically Commissioners agreed to focus any request for a No Shooting Area to only areas with residential subdivisions, of a "minimum of 20 acres and at least 20 lots". Also to be considered the "discharge area must be within 500 feet of residences or structures that may be occupied by humans or domestic animals".

 

Petitioners would need to garner signatures from at least 60% of affected property owners before bringing the request to the Board. Also it was agreed that established gun club facilities would be excluded. It was emphasized that the petitioning neighborhood must demonstrate "a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals or property may be jeopardized" [WAC332-52-145].

 

A draft ordinance is being compiled with the parameters we discussed. This is not a finished product, but a work in progress. It was decided that the Board would table further deliberation to allow for additional outreach to the community and would discuss it again at our December 18th meeting. The Board agreed to hold workshops on both Whidbey and Camano Islands next year to allow public comment on this issue.