On March 30, 1906, the Lykens Standard reported on an incident in which Elijah Dietrich (1871-1965) and his family were subjected to a bullet crashing through a window in their Lykens home. The projectile came from a Flobert Rifle, a gun designed for practice or competitive shooting in indoor shooting ranges. Lykens had banned the use of Flobert Rifles within “built-up” areas of the borough and there were specific penalties for those who violated the ordinance. The Standard called for making an example of those who were offenders.
THE FLOBERT RIFLE AGAIN
Tuesday evening while Elijah Dietrich of South Second Street, was in the kitchen of his home with his wife and daughter Lottie Dietrich, a bullet from a Flobert Rifle came crashing through a window near which they were standing. It was learned, upon investigation, that the missile was fired by a boy who was shooting at sparrows.
Borough Ordinance No. 36, prohibiting the firing of a Flobert Rifle, air gun or spring gun within the built-up portion of the borough under penalty of a fine of from one to five dollars, at the discretion of the Chief Burgess. refusal to pay the fine subjects the offender to confinement in the lockup for a period of not more than 48 hours. As this ordinance is being violated right along, an example should be made of the offenders and a stop put to this dangerous practice.
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From Newspapers.com.
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