LINCOLNTON, N.C. -- Lincolnton’s city council met Thursday to discuss issues with the Cherryville New Year Shooters.

• In 2017, the city passed a noise ordinance
• The shooters have been a tradition for Lincoln and Gaston counties
• Some people complained to the city

The shooters have been a tradition for Lincoln and Gaston Counties as well as in the surrounding area for 250 years on New Year’s Day. Several of them go out and shoot their rifles.

The problem this year was that some people complained to the city that the noise was too much for veterans with PTSD and also complained that their animals would be scared off from the rifle noise.

One of the shooters said that he was called by the city and asked not to shoot off the rifles in six specific neighborhoods inside the city limits, but they were invited to the new Apple Drop.

“And that idea is what we thought we could invite the shooters to the Apple Drop and those neighborhoods would be better protected,” city spokesperson Laura Morris said.

“Well, it was inside the city limits and there was six sites. We really missed it on 3rd St. It’s a family tradition,” Beverly Dalrymple, a relative of the shooter said.

In 2017, the city passed a noise ordinance so technically anyone can call and complain to police and the chief says they would have to respond.