A fistful of ordinances: Waco public forum discussed shooting firearms in town limits
- Chuck Thompson
- Jul 22, 2025
- 6 min read
In what could have been the showdown at the Waco Corral, the towns folk and the elected aldermen, along with Mayor John Barrett, Jr., held an orderly discussion about shooting firearms in the town limits.
The Waco bunch came together to discuss creating a public ordinance limiting the discharge of firearms within the town limits.
The problem of excessive shooting in the town limits began a few months ago, according to town officials, and is centered around just a few people, although no names were mentioned, and none were given when asked.
Waco Town Mayor John Berrett opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and stating, “We did not have to do a public hearing, - but this is something we knew we had to do for the community.”
He continued, “We have been told we have children scared to go outside because of gunfire. As a board, we are all in agreement we should do what’s best for the town.”
One resident asked if responsible shooting was something that could be determined by the overall responsibility of each individual, or was an ordinance necessary.
Waco resident Andre Tyrell spoke on the matter, stating everyone in attendance was obviously there because they wanted a solution, “We are here, so we want a solution.” He also asked about personal responsibility, could someone with an appropriate shooting set-up on their property be able to shoot at targets if they were careful. “If you’re shooting in your yard safely, how does that become a threat to anyone – how is that an issue?” He went on to ad that he does not shoot in his yard, but was curious how being safe would be a problem. “If you’re shooting into the ground, or a backstop, like a range?”
Alderman Chester Haynes sympathized but offered a reasonable answer, “I wouldn’t be in agreement for anyone taking my guns – but there’s potential for those bullets to leave my yard.” Explaining it’s a gray area when safety with shooting is left up to the individual.
Captain John Humphries, of The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, spoke to the town resdients in attendance.
He cautioned everyone to consider that proper gun safety and education is recommended for all citizens. Capt. Humphries noted many calls for hearing gun shots in rural areas are a strain on the department, since there is no law against discharging firearms in the Waco Town limits.
Residents asked Capt. Humphries what would be the right disciplinary action once a law was enacted regarding shooting in the town limits.
He explained that once an ordinance was enacted for Waco, depending on the wording of any such ordinance, and the law, it depends on what the result will be.
“Just because we come to your house doesn’t mean we will give you a ticket or arrest you,” Humphries said, adding, “We will do what we have to do to keep the peace, but it will be on a case-by-case basis.”
One resident said it seemed to be just a few individuals affecting the whole town and suggested a firearm curfew on shooting guns late at night. “You’re letting a few people affect hundreds of people,” the resident said.
The mayor acknowledged, “Yes,” that it was a few individuals. Noting the Sheriff’s Office has been out to speak with these individuals and yet it continues. “Our next recourse is this (meeting),” the mayor said.
Farmland within the town limits was brought up in the discussion as a possible exemption.
“People hunt, and I don’t want to take away that right,” the mayor said. “That’s why we wanted you here.” Barrett mentioned certain exemptions and restrictions were needed in any such new ordinance regarding the topic at hand.
Haynes agreed adding without an ordinance, “If nobody is hurt then there nothing much we can do.”
It was also noted many rifles carry a range of a mile – something not many people are consciously thinking about when target practice shooting, or hunting.
“The bullet will continue until it reaches its max range or something stops it,” another resident said.
“People don’t think about it,” the mayor agreed.
“It’s about safety,” Alderman Mike Scism explained, stressing the small details of how much land makes it okay and what is deemed restrictive based on property size.
Rodents were mentioned as an exception, “I think that’s something that can be written in, but it’s something definitely to be considered,” noted Mayor Barrett.
Several residents believed farmland should be exempt, while a proper backstop should also exempt anyone from any ordinance. The notion of having the Sheriff’s department called for an inspection of any backstops for approval or disqualification of private use backstops.
“The bottom line here is safety,” said the mayor.
Barrett mentioned all the feedback would be to put towards serious considerations for creating an ordinance that seems fair to everyone, adding they are currently working with the town’s attorney to come up with the ordinance.
As for punishment for breaking any future ordinance set into law by Waco town officials, a monetary fine was suggested and some residents were curious what would happen if the fine wasn’t paid.
Capt. Humphries said not paying a fine would depend on if it’s a civil or criminal fine.
“Nobody wants to ram anything down anyone’s throat with a bunch of rules, but we have to address this and think this through and do it correctly. We understand farms have to operate,” said Alderman Scism.
It was noted by city officials that coyotes were a problem, and had to be hunted when required, and sometimes that happens on farms within the town limits.
Those in attendance agreed that the ordinance “must have some teeth” as one resident said, to the approval of those in the room.
“We’re not going to make any decisions here tonight, I think everyone is aware of that,” the mayor said, stating there could possibly be another meeting while this ordinance is being written.
Becky Haynes mentioned her concern for children playing outside, living with the fear of a stray bullet hitting the playground.
“My granddaughter loves playing on the playground and we want it safe to play outside,” she said. “We heard shots, ‘pow - pow - pow - pow’ and it scared me because I didn’t know where they were coming, so we got out of there,” she shrugged.
“You want this to be a safe area for these children,” adding she understands both sides of the issue.
“It bothers me that we have children afraid to go outside,” the mayor agreed. “That really bothers me.”
“This community has changed over the years” the mayor added.
One resident asked for the future ordinance to have a clear definition of farmland.
“I could put a goat in my backyard and call it farmland,” she laughed. “So, it’s important that we have something that clearly defines farmland here.”
Residents stressed they want safety, but also for the town to abide to their rights to meet somewhere in the middle to make it safe for all Waco residents.
Scism voiced his opinion, stating any shooting should not be near churches, schools or any public buildings, adding, “It doesn’t make sense to put a one hundred thousand dollar walking track here and nobody wants to use it.”
Scism continued, “Waco is a town where we don’t have a lot of laws because we don’t want to have a lot of laws, but times are changing. These ordinances mean nothing without any meat behind it.”
“Which is something we need to measure,” the mayor added.
Haynes said there currently isn’t a way for Waco to collect a fine, but this will be looked into with the town attorney, Tom Martin, who was not present at Monday night’s public forum.
“We hate to do it but we have to,” added Scism.
The Town of Waco will talk with the Sheriff’s Office, the town attorney and discuss it again at next month’s town board meeting.
Waco’s next regular scheduled town hall meeting will be on Aug. 18, at 7 p.m.
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