Proposed Geneva law aims at BB, air guns

Forget about asking for a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun this Christmas, Geneva kids. The city is about to ban shooting them within city limits.

The city council will vote Monday on a measure that prohibits shooting any kind of gun, including pellet guns and other air- or gas-fired guns, within the city limits. Aldermen, meeting as a committee of the whole, voted 7-0 earlier this week to recommend the change.

"In a city in which homes, businesses, other property and people are almost always in proximity, it just seems prudent to propose this amendment so as to minimize the chance of accidental (or intentional) damage or injury by the discharge of such a device," Police Chief Steve Mexin said.

"No single incident or even a history of problems related to air guns led to this amendment being recommended. I simply feel it's a reasonable proposal at this time."

Geneva's law would be tougher than state law, which allows shooting of air rifles on private property as long as the projectiles stay on the property.

Batavia and St. Charles prohibit discharge of any firearm within their borders, other than by police doing their jobs or in ceremonial rites such as burial of veterans. West Chicago allows air guns to be fired on private property, with the owner's consent. Geneva would still allow ceremonial firings.

North Aurora has a most detailed law about the possession and use of BB guns, paintball guns, slingshots, bow-and-arrow sets and the like. It only allows discharge at ranges designed for such facilities or on private property, provided the projectile being shot stays on that property. People under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, adult instructor or other responsible adult.

It prohibits discharge of other guns.

Last year, when a man fired a handgun in his backyard in Geneva, he was charged with disorderly conduct.

As in other towns, Geneva police routinely report complaints of car and building windows being damaged by pellet guns.

And in 2000, two Geneva High School seniors pleaded guilty to firing BB guns into a group of freshman who were building a float for a homecoming parade.

One of the victims was shot in the eye. Three others were injured less seriously, and a house and a car were damaged.

It was a deliberate prank, as the shooters dressed in camouflage clothing, wore night-vision goggles and crept up on the freshmen.