Committee approves public-peace updates, lowers air-rifle age and notes sparse use of fireworks permits

The Will County Ordinance Committee approved updates to the public-peace chapter that include lowering the age at which a person may discharge an air rifle from 18 to 13, aligning the ordinance with state statute.

Members highlighted distinctions between air rifles, pellet guns and airsoft devices. A committee member explained that the age change reflects state statutory language; "I lowered it to 13 because that's what the statute says," the member said. The committee noted pellet guns that exceed a certain velocity are treated as firearms under separate rules, while airsoft and paintball devices are not currently regulated by state statute and therefore were not added to the county code.

The committee also discussed fireworks permitting. Staff reported conversations with the sheriff’s office and said the sheriff’s representatives told them they have not issued fireworks permits in the sheriff’s employee’s recollection, though state law provides for such permits. Members agreed to retain the fireworks provision consistent with state statute so that legally authorized uses can be permitted.

Why it matters: changes clarify the county’s enforcement posture, align certain local rules with state law, and confirm that some recreational devices (airsoft, paintball) are outside current state statutory regulation.

What’s next: the committee approved the chapter and staff will finalize the ordinance text for publication.