Oregon Public Broadcasting

A small group of about 100 residents south of Sunriver has banned shooting guns in the neighborhood.

It’s the 20th no-shoot zone in Deschutes County, and just further evidence of how growth continues to change formerly-rural central Oregon.

The Deschutes County Commission unanimously approved a petition brought by residents, led by Jude Fulghum.

Jude Fulghum: “A neighbor to the north of me, continuously shot at exploding targets. And this isn’t a sound like a .22, this is a boom. Should this gentleman decide to shoot his targets again, I’ll call the police immediately.”

Fulghum says she doesn’t expect to see a difference right away – there is little to no shooting in the winter.

But she says she won’t hesitate to call police if she hears shots when hunting season begins.

Fulghum says she is working with the county to put up no-shooting zone signs over the next few weeks.