You could soon be allowed to shoot a snake in Phoenix and other cities without fear of prosecution.

It’s illegal to fire a weapon within city limits, but that could soon change. On Wednesday, the Arizona House of Representatives approved legislation that would allow people to fire off small-caliber shells to fend off snakes or rats.

Proponents of the bill, like the sponsor Republican State Rep. Jay Lawrence, argue snake- or rat-shot isn’t dangerous enough to really hurt anyone, and the intention of the legislation is not necessarily to kill animals.

But opponents of the bill don’t buy that. Democrats and snake advocates oppose the legislation out of concern it could endanger others or encourage people to come after snakes.

The bill now heads to the Senate.