Subject: GUN DISCHARGE: Dear Mullicaman, While I agree with you that the gun discharge ordinance was being reviewed by the old Rep. committee for the last 6 or 7 months and the new Dems are trying to clear up old business from 2007, I don't believe you realize what it really proposes and how important it is. N.J. State Law requires that hunters must be 450' from any building not owned by them & must shoot away from the direction of that safety zone. If you are a responsible hunter, I'm sure you must know that. This new town ordinance is about putting a distance restriction between other people's homes and buildings and NON-hunters, who use the same shotguns, rifles, ammo, etc with no distance restriction. How many of the "electorate" want close range gunfire by their homes? Have you watched the news? It's always the "stray" bullet that kills some small child. Our schools and public buildings have a min. safety zone of 500 feet from gunfire but those same children have no legal protection in their own homes. What if the people in Wharton Park, where houses are close, decide to walk out their doors and start shooting? Is that OK with you? Does your neighbor mind your shooting by them? If you said NO, then you would be able to get a paper signed by them and shoot with no problem. If you said YES, then you be a bad neighbor and care nothing about their rights and wishes for a peaceful domain. This ordinance would not change your rights of self -defense or take away any other priviledge I've read your views against spraying because of the unknown effects on children, about your belief that God resides in each of us& the bible provides insight into how we should treat each other. You advocate a caring and concern for all so that healthcare is available to everyone. You are a big believer in regulation by government for food, environment, lending practices, air craft, motor vehicles, etc. If you do not support this ordinance you are proving to all that you are hypocrite, a big bag of wind and totally uncaring about the children & the rights of the majority of Mullicans who want peace and safety in their back yards. This issue is of top importance because if Mrs Forman's statement ( at the last meeting as a committee member & realtor) is correct, that people are moving to Mullica because of our lack of a gun law, then we are all in deep trouble. So please, let's compromise and find a solution for everyone in this beautiful town. sign me Xena

RESPONSE: An interesting test of Mullicaman's maturity...can he hear the validity in an opposing argument? I would just point out a recent news story...in Lehigh Valley Pa, ... because of the fact that the area has become much more densely populated over the last few decades...and for the safety of the residents...they are considering curtailing the ability of residents to hunt and discharge fire arms. Many urban and suburban areas restrict the firing of guns for the safety of residents. As the community changes the need to reassess the reality of a more densely populated environment is the rational thing to do. The Ordinance that was under consideration by last year's Mullica offica DUMB was an attempt to do that...and the irony is that the REPUGS who initially saw this as an issue with merit now see it as an issue where they can score some cheap political points with the NRA nut crowd.