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Farmington • Because of the constraints of state law, the Davis County Commission on Tuesday repealed its recent prohibition on the discharge of firearms in unincorporated foothill land above Highway 89 and up to 7,000 feet in elevation.
After commissioners unanimously approved the prohibition last month — at the urging of residents whose mountainside homes had been hit by stray bullets — gun enthusiasts pointed out that state law does not give counties that authority.
Further examination by the Davis County Attorney's office bore out that fact, leading to Tuesday's repeal of the ban.
State law already prohibits hillside shooting in the direction of someone's house — but that statute is difficult to enforce, said Jerry Hess, chief civil deputy for Davis County.
Commissioner Louenda Downs said the repeal does not mean that their level of concern for hillside residents has diminished.
Commissioner Bret Millburn underscored that sentiment. "I urge extreme caution for those who shoot recreationally in the foothills," Millburn said, "that they do so in accordance with the laws on the books and use good common sense."