Gun-related crimes in the Natchez area have forced local law enforcement officers to take a different approach to combating the problem — an approach with a little more teeth.

Although the City of Natchez has had a law on the books for years to prohibit the discharge of a firearm inside the city limits, Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong recently urged aldermen to improve the teeth in that law.

The new city ordinance carries a minimum $500 fine and 15 days in jail, if convicted. Previously the penalty was as little as a $50 fine and a single day in jail.

Over the weekend, Natchez police made their first arrest in many, many years — perhaps ever — of someone who allegedly discharged a firearm inside the city limits.

The man is charged with firing a high-powered rifle outside an apartment complex. Fortunately no one was struck and the motive of the gunfire is unclear.

Armstrong made no bones about his desire to have the justice system make an example of the case, urging the aggressive prosecution of the case.

We agree and applaud the effort.

Until law-abiding citizens insist on stricter laws, tougher penalties and more aggressive prosecution and sentencing, no deterrent exists to curb the violence that seems to worsen by the day.

We applaud city aldermen and police for recognizing the problem and tightening up a clearly weak law.