B717 (Formerly MD-95)
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Airport; Human Factors
I'm not even sure if this is the correct avenue to go about this; but here goes. While I was working LC today; I had Ops call me to get into the runway safety area for 'wildlife control.' I told him to proceed as requested and asked them to verify remaining clear of the runway at all times. They said they would remain clear. After a while of no traffic; I noticed they had guns. I couldn't tell if they had shotguns or rifles; but it was definitely a gun. Upon watching them further; they were firing at birds on and near the runway. I had an A321 inbound to land on a mile final. He was cleared to land. I verified my Ops was clear of the runway and noticed he had his rifle pointed toward the runway as if he was aiming. I asked him to verify he was remaining clear for traffic on short final and he said he was. I had a B717-200 cleared for takeoff. He was on his departure roll still within the first 1;000 feet of the runway. I again noticed Ops pointing their rifle toward the runway aiming toward a bird. A Cessna 172 was doing a practice approach and as he was beginning his missed approach; I again noticed Ops pointing his rifle toward the runway as if he was aiming toward a bird. We have a 12;000 feet runway. Ops was midway down the runway about 6;000 feet. At no time was a weapon ever pointed at an airplane. However; it seems as if a weapon being pointed at an active runway while being used is unacceptable. Not only is it unsafe; but it caused the birds to scatter midfield over the runway. It seems simple enough to me; firearms of any kind should never be fired when aircraft are on or near the active runway.
Local Controller voiced concern regarding the use of firearms for 'wildlife control' near the operating areas; suggesting no firearms be allowed in the airport environs.