The city of Vicksburg is cracking down on people firing weapons in the city.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a change to the city ordinance and now people arrested for illegally discharging a firearm in the city will pay a $500 fine and spend 30 days in jail.

The change came after countless complaints to the city about firearms being discharged in the city and was announced at a public forum on the issue attended by more than 40 people March 22.

“I think it’s absolutely imperative,” Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said of the change. “We believe in zero tolerance and we believe in law and order. Basically what we’re doing is taking the discretion away from a judge to do anything lenient than what’s in the law. It will be mandatory.”

Flaggs said the law was not intended to punish gun owners, and city attorney Nancy Thomas said the law would not affect people participating in approved events in the city involving weapons or anyone using a gun in self-defense or defending others.

People at the meeting talked about being afraid in their homes because of the constant gunfire and one said her grandchildren were afraid to stay with her at night.

We commend the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for listening to the complaints of the citizens and working to make sure Vicksburg is a safer place to live. Flaggs and the Aldermen have shown a commitment to safety and said at the meeting that if the new ordinance doesn’t do the job, they will raise the punishment to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.