Township of Delran, NJ Chapter 157 Firearms; Fireworks

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Delran by Ord. No. 1999-2 (Sec. 4-7 of the 1993 Revised General Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 157-1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

FIREARM

Any handgun, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, paintball gun, automatic or semiautomatic rifle or any gun, device or instrument in the nature of a weapon from which may be fired or ejected any solid projectable ball, slug, pellet, paintball, missile or bullet, or any gas, vapor or other noxious thing, by means of a cartridge or shell or by the action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or explosive substances. It shall also include, without limitation, any firearm which is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun or pistol or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air or compressed air or is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet, paintball or missile smaller than 3/8 of an inch in diameter, with sufficient force to injure a person.

PUBLIC PLACE

Any place to which the public has access, including but not limited to a public street, road, thoroughfare, sidewalk, bridge, alley, plaza, park, recreation area, public transportation facilities, public building or area.

§ 157-2 Prohibited acts; exceptions.

No person shall possess, carry, fire, set off, cause to be fired, discharge or use any firearm, firecracker, roman candle or other firework or explosive in any public place within the Township of Delran except under the following circumstances and as provided in § 157-3:

A. For the purpose of military drill under the auspices of a legally recognized military or paramilitary organization and under competent supervision; or

B. For the purpose of competition or target practice in and upon a firing range approved by the Township Council or the National Rifle Association and which is under competent supervision at the time of such competition or target practice.

§ 157-3 Special permit; imposition of regulations.

A. Permit. The Chief of Police of the Township shall be authorized to issue a permit for the discharge of firearms when:

(1) The Chief of Police determines that the health, safety and welfare of persons in the Township will not be impaired.

(2) Such use is allowed under the terms of Chapter 355, Zoning, or by a variance recommended by the Zoning Board of Adjustment and approved by the Township Council.

B. Regulations. The Chief of Police shall have the right to impose reasonable rules and regulations concerning the discharge of firearms by special permit. The standards for determining such rules and regulations shall be based upon the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Township.