.png)
BASTROP — Even if nobody is in danger, shooting guns outside of a city isn’t always legal.
A new Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office program reminds residents that discharging firearms in a unincorporated-area subdivision on a lot of less than 5 acres is prohibited. People who are aware of such illegal shootings are encouraged to report the incidents.
“Once a pattern of illegal shooting has been identified, the sheriff’s office intends to increase the patrol deputies’ presence in the subdivision during the times when the illegal activity is most likely to occur,” said Sheriff Maurice Cook. “This response will be in an effort to catch the offender in the act.”
Identifying a pattern would be aided by any reports from residents that note the address, the date, time of week and offender’s name if known. Unless there’s an emergency, there will be no immediate law enforcement response.
“The sheriff’s office has developed a door hanging publication to be used by the patrol deputies to warn someone of violating the county firearms regulation when personal contact cannot be made,” said Cook. “The law requires the violation to occur in the view and presence of a law enforcement officer in order to make an arrest without a warrant. In some cases, the deputy will be able to develop sufficient probable cause for a citation or the issuance of a warrant.”
If no immediate law enforcement response is necessary, anonymously report illegal firearm shootings in subdivisions to 512-549-5020 or [email protected]. The phone number is a recorded line, monitored daily in order to develop a pattern of illegal shooting.
To report random, illegal discharge of firearms, call the Bastrop County Emergency Communication Center by calling 512-303-7000, which will result in a deputy being dispatched.
For emergencies such as a drive-by shooting into a house, call 911 for an accelerated response.
