The City of Fort Lauderdale prohibits the discharge of air rifles (BB guns) within city limits.

Air rifles are often not powerful enough to kill an animal humanely, especially when used by someone not well-trained in the weapons. There have been many incidents of Muscovy ducks, geese, iguanas and other animals in Florida shot numerous times with an air rifle and suffering a slow death. Other animals have survived but with serious injuries.

Fort Lauderdale's ordinance not only protects wildlife from cruelty, but it also protects residents from injury, and prevents damage to property from air rifles. Air rifles can cause serious injuries; eye injuries are a particular danger. In addition, police have warned about the dangers of air rifles being mistaken for firearms.

Recently, Fort Lauderdale police issued a citation to a local lawyer for using an air rifle in an attempt to kill iguanas. The lawyer has started a petition asking that Fort Lauderdale's ordinance be changed to allow people to use air rifles to shoot iguanas.

Please join the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) in asking the Fort Lauderdale City Commission NOT to change its ordinance!