Beaufort County council rejects criminal firearms‑discharge ordinance, advances civil penalty approach

Beaufort County Council on April 13 chose a civil‑penalty route over a criminal approach to prohibit unlawful discharge of firearms in unincorporated areas.

The council considered two ordinances: a criminal‑penalty ordinance (2026/06) and a civil‑penalty ordinance (2026/14) that would impose fines and include an education incentive. Legal staff and committee reports summarized previous committee votes and noted that the sheriff and the solicitor had expressed a preference for the civil‑penalty option.

During debate, council members raised concerns about simultaneous criminal and civil penalties creating confusion, and some said they preferred to move quickly on a civil ordinance that includes education and encourages attendance at a firearm‑safety course as a mitigating factor. One council member asked whether magistrates have authority to mandate educational courses; legal staff said they would need to examine the matter further and noted magistrates' statutory penalty jurisdiction.

Council took a roll call vote on the criminal ordinance and the motion failed. The council then advanced the civil‑penalty ordinance on first reading; the civil approach as presented sets a maximum fine of $500 per violation and encourages, but does not mandate, completion of a firearm safety course before adjudication so the magistrate may consider it as a factor in setting penalty.