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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNo 951 Amendment to Ordinance Regulating Discharge of Firearms ORDINANCE 951 AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE REGULATING DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS DIVISION 2. -WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES Sec. 24-171. -Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Pistol andrevolver mean any firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches in length. Sec. 24-172. -Exemptions from division. This division shall not apply to police officers; members of the United States armed forces, the national guard and the reserve; or other authorized personnel when using firearms or other weapons in the regular course of performing their duties. Sec. 24-173. -Discharge of firearms; possession or detonation of explosives or fireworks. (a)It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot or discharge any gun, revolver, pistol or firearm of any kind or description, including BB guns, pellet guns and airguns, spring guns, or air-or gas-propelled guns, including COguns, within 2 the city, whether they are loaded with powder and ball, live ammunition or blank cartridges, or any kind of explosive or propellant capable of throwing or projecting any missile, including bullets, pellets, BBs, artillery shells, rockets or other missiles. Requests for exemptions from this restriction for the purpose of organized athletic events shall be made to the city’s police chief who shall make the final decision. In order for requests to be considered, the zoning of the proposed site must permit organized athletic activities. (b)It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to have in his possession or to shoot, discharge or explode any preparation of potash, mixture of sulphurand saltpeter, nitroglycerin, dynamite, plastic explosive, fireworks or any other kind of explosive material. All such acts are hereby prohibited, unless specifically authorized by permit issued by the department of public safety or by permit issued by the state department of conservation. Sec. 24-174. -Prohibited weapons, prohibited acts. (a)It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to possess any device or weapon known as a slungshot, slingshot, sand club, metal knuckles, switchblade knife, dagger, stiletto, dirk, blackjack, chain club, pipe club, bowie knife, Molotov cocktail, grenade, throwing star, or similar device. (b)It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to carry or wear concealed about his person any pistol, BB gun, airgun orCOgun. 2 Sec. 24-175. -Confiscation and disposition. (a)Any weapons or explosive materials duly adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been discharged, worn or carried in the city in violation of any ordinance, law, rule or regulation shallbe confiscated by the city. Such weapons or explosive materials shall be turned over to the police chief to be kept, sold or disposed of in the manner provided in this section. (b)Any weapons or materials confiscated pursuant to this section may be kept and used by the department of public safety if the weapons or materials are adaptable to police purposes. Such weapons and materials which would be dangerous to reintroduce into channels of private sale or use may, in the discretion of the police chief, be destroyed. Such weapons or materials which may be safely placed into the hands of private owners may be sold by the police chief at public auction in a sealed bid sale pursuant to at least two weeks' published notice of such sale. Sec. 24-176. -Bows and arrows. (a)A bow and arrow, for purposes of this section, is hereby defined as a bowed shaft of material such as metal, wood or plastic, the ends of which are pulled into bow formation by a string, cord, wire or any other type of material and used for the purpose of propelling an arrow by means of the power developed in pulling the string against the tension of the bow, provided that such bow is rated at more than ten pounds pull, and further provided that the arrow used is pointed or is equipped with a pointed head of metal, plastic or other material capable of penetrating an object when propelled by the bow. (b)Every person in the city who shall aim any bow and arrow, as defined in this section, at or toward any human being, or who shall willfully discharge an arrow from a bow in any public place or in any place where there is any person to be endangered, although no injury actually results, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished in accordance with section 1-15. The city's deer (wildlife) management plan shall be exempt from this subsection. (c)No minor in the city under the age of 14 years shall handle or have in his possession or under his control, except while accompanied by or under the immediate charge of his parent or guardian, any bow and arrow as defined in this section for hunting or target practice or any other purpose. Every person violating any of the provisions of this subsection or aiding or knowingly permitting any such minor to violate this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished in accordance with section 1-15. Secs. 24-177—24-205. -Reserved. The City Council adopted this Ordinance on July 13, 2015.