The city of Vernon has shot down proposed changes to its firearms and weapons bylaw. Staff wanted to update the policy to add potential weapons like bows and pepper sprays, but a majority of council felt it could impact people carrying a can of mace just for protection. Councillor Buffy Baumbrough supported the changes, saying they would help police deal with people using the devices irresponsibly. "It was not going to have any negative impacts on individuals who were behaving appropriately anyways." Councillor Bob Spiers feels the wording was a bit too general. "Basically possession of pepper spray is a fine. If that could be changed to possession of pepper spray with the intent of using it for another purpose, if that's how they bring it back, that would allay my fears about that." The city got eight letters in opposition. The police will be consulted before the bylaw is brought back for consideration. The city's bylaw department is recommending changes to the 1976 legislation, to respond to citizen and RCMP concerns over crossbows and other weaponry.
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