Residents with a propensity for firing BB guns in their backyards can now do so within the limits of the law.

City Council approved an amendment March 10 to the gun ordinance to allow for the firing of BB guns in backyards so long as the projectile does not pass the property line.

Mayor Jeff Coleman said he brought the amendment to the council because feuding neighbors were calling the police after their children were firing airsoft guns into each other's yards.

The ordinance defines BB guns as "A type of firearm, properly marked with a 1/4-inch-long orange tip, designed to shoot spherical projectiles called BBs. The maximum allowed diameter of a plastic spherical BB projectile is 6 mm (such as airsoft guns), the maximum allowed diameter of spherical non-plastic BBs is 4.3 to 4.4 mm (such as traditional BB guns)."

The ordinance also allows for firing BB guns at city-sponsored practice events.

Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Cooper said at a Feb. 24 City Council meeting that many residents and children firing airsoft guns, even across property lines, were having fun with each other.

"My concern is this is just what kids do when they're growing up," Cooper said. "I just hope we don't take it so far that we drag kids to jail for being kids."

Pflugerville Police Chief Charles Hooker said at the meeting he wanted to restrict the firing of airsoft guns to backyards because they often look like real weapons.

"You can't tell the difference from 10 feet," he said. "If they're running between houses all it takes is a report of a child with a gun, and we have to respond."

Pellet guns, which are more powerful, are not allowed in the ordinance.