Group questions gun ban at Hazle Twp. park

RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent

HAZLE TWP. -- Members of the Pennsylvania Firearms Owners Association confronted supervisors Monday night about firearms restrictions at the township’s Community Park.

Paul Schroeder of Hazleton said he became concerned when the organization planned to have a picnic at the park for its Northeast Pennsylvania members.

“We received a copy of the rules and regulations sheet, and it says hunting and possession of firearms are prohibited,” said Schroeder, who wore a handgun on a belt holster. The rule violates the Uniform Firearms Act, he said, and that law forbids a township from regulating lawful ownership of a firearm.

“We hope this is an oversight,” Schroeder said. “The ordinance needs to be changed.”

Supervisor Anthony Mautz asked Schroeder if carrying a firearm in the park is necessary. He said the group should consider providing security for its events instead of carrying their own guns.

“I hate to see anybody with a firearm,” Mautz said, adding that many gatherings are held at the township’s public parks without incident.

Schroeder countered he carries a firearm for personal protection. He said he and the other members of the group were not “waving or brandishing” the guns in any way and should have the right to carry them if done lawfully.

Chairman Bill Gallagher said the ordinance was written to ban hunting because children frequent the parks.

Solicitor Charles Pedri said the township will review the ordinance at Schroeder’s request and will provide more information at August’s meeting.

In other matters, the supervisors tabled a vote on awarding the $1 million annual waste contract. The township read the competing bids from Waste Management and J.P. Mascaro. Each company bid separately for a one-year, two-year and three-year contract option with and without recycling.

The supervisors will study the bids for next month’s meeting.

The development of a noise ordinance was discussed at the request of local residents.

Pedri said the township is researching such ordinances and is having difficulty defining what decibel levels constitute a violation or what times noise should be controlled. There are free-speech issues that come into play, he said.

Gallagher said Hazleton has a noise ordinance and it is a very expensive “waste of manpower.”

Pedri said the city never prosecuted anyone for violating the ordinance.