I live in a zoned residential area in Campbellford, ON, Canada where houses are merely 20-30 feet apart. Despite this close proximity, it is currently legal to discharge firearms in our backyards. This becomes a significant public safety issue during the three-month-long Goose hunting season when neighbours decide to shoot in their backyards over the Trent River. 

In populated areas like ours, the risk of accidental injury or property damage due to stray bullets is alarmingly high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hundreds of people are unintentionally killed by firearms each year in North America alone. Moreover, noise pollution from firearm discharge can also have negative impacts on mental health and overall quality of life.

We urge the Municipality of Trent Hills to create a bylaw or establish No Discharge Zones that limit firearm discharge within 150 metres of any dwelling and in populated areas. 100 to 150 metres are the two commonly used distances for firearm discharge bylaws in five other municipalities of Northumberland. This measure will not only protect residents from potential harm, but also contribute towards creating a peaceful living environment.  

Please sign this petition if you are a Trent Hills resident and agree that firearm discharge in residential areas should be restricted to 150 metres from a dwelling or if No Discharge Zones would be more appropriate in our municipality