By GENE COLEMAN

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — On Saturday night, Police made their first arrest under a recently enacted stiffer law against discharging a firearm within city limits, in this case an AR-15-style rifle.

Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said officers arrested Terry E. Butler, 47, of 104 Stonehurst Apartments approximately 8:30 p.m. Butler was charged with discharging a firearm within city limits. He was arrested at Stonehurst Apartments.

Armstrong said he commends the officers for their quick action in apprehending Butler.

“They saw a suspicious person and they stopped him. They started an investigation and, by way of the interview, revealed he was the one who did the shooting. Later, he admitted he was the one shooting and surrendered the firearm,” Armstrong said.

The new ordinance, enacted last month, carries a minimum $500 fine and a minimum sentence of 15 days in jail. A second offense carries the penalty of a $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail.

The previous ordinance against firing a weapon within city limits allowed for a fine as low as $50 and as little as one day in jail.

Armstrong said there was no indication that Butler was shooting at anyone. Still, Armstrong said, firing any weapon inside the city limits is a dangerous thing.

“We finally got our first victim and an example needs to be made of him,” Armstrong said. “It’s a very dangerous thing to do. Any weapon being fired in a confined area is extremely dangerous, but high-powered weapons are even more dangerous.”

Armstrong said the Natchez Police Department respects the right to bear arms and the right to fire a weapon in self-defense. He also said it was fortunate that no one was injured.

“Kudos to the officers involved and thankfully nobody got hurt,” Armstrong said.