A city ordinance governing penalties for illegally discharging a firearm inside city limits became much harsher Monday when the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA)  approved an amendment upping the maximum jail time allowed for the misdemeanor to a year.

“That’s the strongest (penalty) we can get as a misdemeanor,” City Attorney Lee Thames said during the meeting. “Anything else, above 12 months, would have to be a felony.”

The amendment to Article VI. of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Vicksburg, Sec. 17-160. Discharging Firearms, ups the maximum sentence allowed for the infraction from ““up to 90 days” to “up to 12 months” in jail. It does not change the current fine of no more than $1,000.

The amendment also makes it a misdemeanor crime for a gun owner, or any person in possession of a firearm, who becomes aware it has been stolen or lost to not report the incident within 48 hours. The penalty for not reporting a missing firearm is punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, according to the new ordinance.

Additionally, the amendment changes city forfeiture laws, making any weapon used in the commission of any crime subject to being legally seized by law enforcement officers and introduced into evidence at trial. In the event of an acquittal, seized firearms will be returned to the accused, according to the newly amended ordinance. 

The changes to the city’s ordinance come on the heels of a rash of shootings across Vicksburg in recent months. Ward 2 Alderman Alex Monsour said BOMA is doing its part to make the penalties for illegal firearm activity as stiff as possible.

“The reason we brought this up is, number one, the public has been calling for us to do all we can do,” Monsour said. “This is the maximum we can do.”

Monsour conceded that, even with the more stringent firearms law, some offenders will likely find ways to navigate the system, but doubled-down on Vicksburg’s commitment to uphold the strictest penalties allowed by law.

“Our judges are going to be doing what they’re supposed to do,” he said. “If there’s an appeal filed and it goes to a different court, then it’s kind of out of our hands at that time, but the City of Vicksburg’s not playing anymore. We are serious about the gunfire.”

Monsour said his hope is that longer periods of incarceration for offenders will give law enforcement more time to get ahead of the problem.

“We’re going to do everything we can and get them off the streets and give our officers time to go after the next one,” he said. “Because the problem has been they appeal it, or they don’t spend any time in jail, or whatever it is with the bail process. Our police officers are doing the job, but before the ink gets dried on the paper, they’re out back on the street again.”

The amendment to the ordinance takes effect immediately.

For the complete video of Monday’s meeting, check The Vicksburg Post Facebook page.  

The amended ordinance may be found here: Ordinance _ Discharge Weapons