The San Jose City Council Tuesday unanimously approved an amendment allowing trained representatives at Mineta San Jose International Airport to shoot firearms to scare or kill birds that pose a threat to aircraft, a spokeswoman said.

The vote amended a city law to let trained airport employees and contract biologists use firearms at the perimeter of the airport to eliminate bird hazards as required under the airport's Wildlife Hazard Management Program, said Michelle McGurk, spokeswoman for San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed.

The city had to pass the amendment to change city law prohibiting anyone other than sworn members of law enforcement agencies to discharge firearms on city property, including the airport, which is overseen by the city.

The law came into conflict with efforts by the airport to comply with rules mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration to prevent birds at the 1,000-acre airport from colliding with airlines or being drawn into engines during take-offs and landings.

The amendment allows the airport to shoot firework-like blank guns to make the birds fly off of runways or fire birdshot from a shotgun to kill the birds if necessary to avoid potential dangers to planes.