Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-14
Gun-Firing in the District.
or of The Evening Star:

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
A few days ago, when on reaching home
I was confronted by every member of the
family, with the startling statement tina,
we must do no more shooting, that 1t was
against the law to kill birds; that 1t was
a violation of the law to shoot a gun of
anywhere in the District of Columbia Upor
inquiry as to what had happened, they said
a policeman had been there and on leaving
with his billy raised high above his head
had ordered that all shooting must stop al
once. / must confess that l was mad al
over To enlighten the reader as to the
situation I will state that 1 am living or
my own premises, far from any entanglins
alliances with neighbors; and l have been
here twenty-nine years. 1t is comparatively
a very large place, some fifteen acres.
pride myself on having a fine garden and
every variety of fruit that will grow in this
latitude. We have many enemies to contend
with, but l have generally managed to dis
pose of them, without much trouble or loss
This year the birds have been more trouble
some and destructive than ever; and for
the first time 1 declared war against the
whole feathered tribe. l shot and gave
away all of my own large flock of pigeons
and by the closest attention and vigilance,
we have by continuous replanting, succeed
ed in getting a fairly good start in the way
of gardening. But the cherry birds would
not down until they had devoured the last
cherry. We enjoyed, however few bird
dinners.
But to return to my alleged unlawful pro-
ceeding Immediately wrote to the sergeant
of the police in my district. apprising him
fully as to what had occurred; also telling
him that / intended to stay at home all of
the next day for the special purpose of
shooting birds and expressed the hope that
he would come up and see me. He did not
come but the same officer who had been
here the day before, came and caught me
red handed with my good gun in the
act of shooting birds. The next day on my
way to the city, he informed me that the
sergeant had been to the city and at head
quarters had ascertained that there is a
law in force prohibiting the shooting of a
gun within the District of Columbia. 1 said
to myself, Can it be possible that we have
or ever had a legislative body possessed of
so little common sense and so much ASST
ninity?'' And determined to search for
myself and to go to the bottom. 1 called at
the Office of the corporation counsel and
was referred to the Police Court. and there,
in the office of the assistant district attor-
ney, was told that there is such law in
existence. From there l went to the police
police regulations. and here is all the law
therein contained applicable to the ques-
ton at issue:
Section 5. No gun. air gun. rifle, pistol
or other frearm cannon. torpedo, fire.
cracker, sQuib or other fireworks shall be
discharged or set off within the city of
Washington or the fire limits of the District
of Columbia without special permit there
for from the major and superintendent of
police, nor within one hundred yards of any
school house. building or buildings, play
ground Enclosure for stock. or railroad
track outside of such fire limits for the
District of Columbia without written con-
sent of the owner or occupant thereof and
a special permit from the major and super
intendent of police
AS to my location, / not within the
fire limits nor within 100 yards of any
school house, railroad track or other places
referred to. w. LEE WHITE,
East Washington Heights.