[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Lower Makefield 10-21-1996 by Ord. No. 305. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
Due to the density of the population in the
Township of Lower Makefield, it is necessary that the use of firearms
be regulated for the protection of the public health and safety and
that the unauthorized discharge of firearms be prohibited.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Includes but is not limited to any gun, shotgun, rifle, handgun,
pistol, pellet gun, BB gun, crossbow, bow and arrow, slingshot or
any other device which impels a projectile through the use of force.
Except as herein provided, it shall be unlawful
to fire or discharge any firearm within the Township of Lower Makefield.
Exceptions to § 109-3 are as follows:
A.
The use of firearms is permitted when employed by
any duly appointed law officer in the course of his or her official
duty.
C.
The use of firearms is permitted when hunting in conformity
with the game laws and other applicable laws, regulations, permits
and ordinances of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and this Township,
including, but not limited to, a deer control permit issued by the
Pennsylvania Game Commission, provided that any person hunting upon
the land of another shall have the written permission of the landowner
or lessee of the property and shall have the written permission upon
his or her person. The written permission shall be signed by the owner,
the owner’s authorized representative or official, or lessee,
shall clearly and legibly state the name and address of the person
to whom the permission has been granted and shall be dated and shall
be valid only for that period as appears on the face of the permittee’s
then-current state hunting license or permit.
[Amended 9-2-2009 by Ord. No. 379]
D.
The use of firearms shall be allowed on target ranges,
indoor or outdoor, under the supervision of the owner or occupant
of that land or his or her duly appointed representative, provided
that:
(1)
All target ranges shall be constructed and operated
in a safe and prudent manner. If standards, regulations or recommended
procedures for operation are established or promulgated by any recognized
body, such as the National Rifle Association or the American Trap
Shooting Association, then such standards, regulations or procedures
shall be adhered to.
(2)
Such range is registered as such with the township
by the owner or occupant of the land on which the range is located,
which registration shall specify the area or areas designated for
target range purposes.
The careless, reckless or improper use of any
firearm tending to imperil or cause danger or harm to personal security
or to endanger the property of any person within the Township of Lower
Makefield is prohibited.
Any person or persons discharging a firearm
in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject
to a fine of not more than six hundred dollars ($600.) plus court
costs, including reasonable attorney fees. If the defendant neither
pays nor timely appeals the judgement, the township may enforce the
judgement pursuant to the applicable rules of civil procedure. Each
days' continued violation shall constitute a separate offense.
Legible signs giving public notice of this chapter
shall be posted at or near the public highways at the boundaries of
the Township of Lower Makefield.
