DUNCANSVILLE — Blair Township supervisors unanimously agreed to table a proposed gun ordinance after community disapproval during a meeting Tuesday night.

The ordinance was created to regulate firearm discharges within Blair Township and prohibit improper use of discharging firearms within or through a safety zone. Authorities would fine violators $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second offense.

According to the ordinance’s intent and purpose, the Board of Supervisors believed the regulation of firearms in Blair Township to be vital for “the protection of public health, safety, and general welfare of the residents, property owners, visitors and others.”

The ordinance was drafted as a response to a Brooks Mill resident who has repeatedly fired bullets into private land and property, including their neighbor’s shed.

“When the police try to talk to the resident, the resident claims that it is their property and the police can’t do anything about it,” Blair Township Chairman Paul Amigh II explained during the meeting. “It is a safety issue.”

Bonita Shreve, president of the Blair County Second Amendment Coalition, described the ordinance as “unconstitutional,” claiming it to be in violation of Pennsylvania’s firearm preemption law.

“Pennsylvania has firearms preemption laws that prohibit municipalities from enacting local gun regulations that are more restrictive than those set by the state,” Shreve said before the meeting. “This means that while the state legislature can establish gun control measures, local governments cannot create their own stricter laws on firearms.”

During the meeting, concerned community members had a chance to voice their opposition to the ordinance.

Joe Pompa, a former Hollidaysburg Borough councilman, said, “We passed many ordinances at that time and this one is not well written for what I think you’re trying to accomplish.”

“This team right here will sit, talk, listen and come up with something that works,” added Brooks Mill resident Dodie Amigh. “Somewhere between what people are saying and what I am experiencing is common ground, and I believe if we sit and have an honest conversation, we can find safety in our neighborhoods and we can still carry weapons.”

Vice Chairman Bradley Germaux motioned to table the ordinance after hearing the opposition raised by the community members.

“None of us here are in favor of passing the ordinance,” Germaux commented after the meeting adjourned. “As far as supervisors, our job is to do what’s best for the township as a whole and all its citizens included.”

Paul Amigh seconded Germaux’s motion.

“We can find an agreement between what Blair Township community members want and what Brooks Mill members want and we can stop the safety issue,” Amigh said.

“It leaves room for them to go back and look at their ordinance and see where they infringed upon the second amendment rights,” Shreve said after the meeting. “It also gives them a chance to think about how we can provide safety at the same time. There should be an ordinance about being reckless or negligent with firearms.”