Beckham County, OK – Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning is reminding residents that living outside city limits does not eliminate the responsibility to safely discharge firearms, following a recent complaint involving gunfire near a neighboring residence.

Manning said a deputy responded this week after residents reported a neighbor was shooting in the direction of their property. The residents initially attempted to speak directly with the individual about their concerns, but the conversation escalated into an argument.

“They tried to contact the individual, and I guess that person became irate that they were telling them not to shoot towards their house,” Manning said.

The residents then contacted the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office, and a deputy responded to the area. Manning said the person accused of shooting later contacted the sheriff’s office and wanted the neighbors trespassed from the property.

“I think our advice was basically, well, don't shoot that direction and they probably won't come over here,” Manning said.

Manning stressed that while much of Beckham County is rural, that does not necessarily mean an area is isolated. Homes, families and livestock may be within range even when someone is well outside a city or town.

“Just because you're out in the country, this is a fairly populated county in a lot of areas,” Manning said. “You have to discharge that firearm in a direction that is safe to do so and not towards people and kids.”

According to Manning, bullets do not have to actually strike a neighboring property for shooting to become a safety concern. Firing in the general direction of people or residences can be considered unsafe, and laws are in place addressing the discharge of firearms.

Manning said deputies generally try to resolve these situations with a warning when appropriate, particularly when someone may not have realized a home or other people were in the direction they were shooting.

“We usually just go and warn somebody and say, ‘Hey, can you stop doing that?’ And that usually takes care of it,” Manning said.

He said he hopes the warning issued in this week's incident will resolve the situation as well.

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