NATCHEZ — Natchez has a new ordinance stiffening penalties for shooting firearms in the city limits.

The city published a public notice announcing the new firearm ordinance Friday that reads in part, “Any person found guilty of discharging a firearm within the City of Natchez shall be fined a minimum of $500 and imprisoned for a minimum term of fifteen (15) days in jail for the first offense. Any person who shall be convicted for a second or subsequent offense under this section shall be fined $1,000 and imprisoned for a term of 30 days.”

Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said the new ordinance was in response to a recent uptick in shots fired calls the police department has received in recent weeks.

Armstrong said enhancing fines and jail sentences has proven to lower crime.

“We wanted to show two things with this ordinance,” Armstrong said. “That No. 1: shooting off firearms is extremely dangerous and No. 2: you will be severely punished if you do discharge a firearm within city limits.”

Armstrong said the original ordinance allowed judges to fine offenders as low as $50 and serve minimal to potentially no jail time.

“We cannot take this issue lightly, because we know lives can be lost with this reckless behavior,” Armstrong said. “We want to get out in front of this issue. We hope people realize this is dangerous offense and don’t discharge firearms within city limits.”

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said the new ordinance sends a message.

“The city won’t tolerate firing off a weapon in the city limits any longer,” Grennell said. “This ordinance needed stiffening. We don’t want any weapons fired off within the city limits. There is no more spanking on the hands. We needed to stiffen the fines and jail sentences.”