[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Rochester as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 6-18-1985 by Ord. No. 309 as Art. 735 of the 1985
Codified Ordinances; amended in its entirety at time of adoption of
Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any pistol or revolver with a barrel length less than 15
inches, any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches or any
rifle with a barrel length less than 16 inches, or any pistol, revolver,
rifle or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches. The
barrel length of a firearm shall be determined by measuring from the
muzzle of the barrel to the face of the closed action, bolt or cylinder,
whichever is applicable.
Except in necessary defense of person and property and except as provided in § 73-4 of this article, it shall be unlawful for any person to use, fire, or discharge any gun or other firearm within the Township.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any air rifle, air pistol, spring gun, spring pistol, BB gun, bow and arrow, or similar device, or any implement that is not a firearm but which impels a pellet of any kind with a force that can reasonably be expected to cause bodily harm, at any place within the Township, except as provided in § 73-4 of this article, and except on a target range which is properly constructed to trap or stop the projectile as ascertained by the Chief of Police.
This article shall not apply to:
A.
Persons licensed to hunt in this commonwealth while actually engaged
in hunting where permitted under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B.
Members of any organization incorporated under laws of this commonwealth
engaged in target shooting upon the grounds or property belonging
to or under the control of such organization.
C.
Any law enforcement officers when used in the discharge of their
official duties.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than
$600 and costs and, in default of payment, to imprisonment for a term
not to exceed 30 days.
[Adopted 11-15-1988 by Ord. No. 321]
It shall be unlawful for any person to use, fire or discharge
any gun, air rifle, air pistol, spring gun, spring pistol, BB gun
or any other type of firearms within the area which is zoned industrial
according to the Zoning Ordinance[1] in effect in Rochester Township, except as provided under § 73-7 of this article.
This article shall not apply to:
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than
$600 and costs and, in default of payment, to imprisonment for a term
not to exceed 30 days.
