Random gunfire is disrupting peaceful nights in the Germantown section of Jim Thorpe Borough, one resident told borough council last week.

According to Bill Malatak, the shots are not coming from the nearby Rod and Gun Club.

“It sounds like a 9 mm semi-automatic,” Malatak told council on Thursday. “It happened again last weekend and it’s about 9:30 p.m. They reload and it’s about 25-30 shots.”

Malatak said he didn’t contact police, figuring someone closer to the shots would report them.

Both Mayor Michael Sofranko and Police Chief Joe Schatz encouraged any resident hearing gunshots to report it to police.

“The best thing to do is call right away so we can go out and investigate it while it’s happening,” Schatz said. “It doesn’t matter what time of day it is. There is someone here. It really helps us if someone calls it in so we can get a location. Often with gunshots, it can sound like it’s coming from one area, but it’s really coming from somewhere else.”

Jim Thorpe doesn’t have an ordinance specifically outlining when guns can be fired. Malatak encouraged the governing body to look into some guidelines.

“At least cut it off at a reasonable time,” he said. “People like to sleep.”

Sofranko said while any resident should call when they hear a gunshot, he doesn’t want to discuss restricting firearm use.

“I believe in the right to bear arms,” Sofranko said.