Virginia: York County To Address Discharge Ban!

Ordinance No. 09-8(R-20), is an attempt by the Board of Supervisors under Sec. 16-7(a) of York County Code to place more county sub-divisions under the firearm discharge ban and add new language; Section 16-7(b), which will restrict the discharge of firearms within 1,000 feet of a school without prior notification to school administrators.

Under the proposed ordinance, 12 new subdivisions within York County would be added to the list of areas which prohibit the discharge of firearms. In addition, the Board is also requesting a new sub-section (b) of the code, which will prohibit the discharge within 1,000 feet of any school property without first notifying the Principal, Vice-Principal or the Principal’s office staff through direct oral communication.

The proposed ordinance gives local government too much power by limiting the heritage and rights of long-time landowners and hunters whose surrounding lands have been developed by homes or schools and which are not currently listed in prohibited areas. These land owners and hunters may soon need to seek “permission” before they exercise their Second Amendment rights.

The current county ordinance has served no purpose. Prosecutors have handled violations under state law, leaving the county ordinance of no value.  According to York County Sheriff Danny Diggs, "for more than ten years, no one has been charged under the County ordinance.  Everyone who has discharged a firearm illegally and who has been apprehended has been charged under state law".

If you are unable to attend this meeting, please email the Board of Supervisors below and encourage them to reject the proposed ordinance and to instead repeal this unnecessary county ordinance. 

York County Board of Supervisors

Chairman Donald Wiggins: [email protected]

Sheila Noll: [email protected]

Walter Zaremba: [email protected]

Thomas Shepperd: [email protected]

 George Hrichak: [email protected]