[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Willistown 10-8-1991 by Ord. No. 7-1991.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Shooting Ordinance
of Willistown Township."
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
A place for shooting weapons having a natural or artificial barrier
of sufficient size and density to stop any projectile or pellets fired into
it, approved and designated of record by the Willistown Township Chief of
Police as an approved range.
Shooting upon an approved range in a manner consistent with safety
of persons and property as authorized by the Chief of Police in approving
such range, under the supervision of the owner or occupant of the land or
his duly designated representative.
The discharge or release of a projectile or pellets from any weapon,
including the shooting of a pointed arrow from a bow.
Any shotgun, rifle, air rifle, Flobert rifle, pistol, revolver, pellet
gun or weapon of similar type, and any bow used to propel a pointed arrow.
A.Â
Shooting within Willistown Township is hereby prohibited,
except:
(1)Â
While lawfully hunting game in conformity with the Game
Laws and other applicable laws, regulations and ordinances of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
(2)Â
While lawfully hunting game with the written permission
of the landowner upon a form prescribed by the Township Supervisors, dated
and signed by the owner or occupant of the property attesting that the bearer
has been instructed by the signer concerning the topography and natural artificial
hazards and traffic conditions existing upon the land and adjacent thereto,
has been duly cautioned regarding existing dangers and precautions to be taken
and has thereupon been granted permission to hunt upon the same for a period
not to exceed one year from the date of the form. Written permission from
the landowner must be in the possession of the hunter at all times when hunting
in Willistown Township.
(3)Â
Authorized range shooting as herein defined.
B.Â
It shall be the responsibility of each owner or occupant
of the land to instruct carefully any person applying for permission to hunt
thereon concerning the terrain, its dangers and all necessary precautions
to be observed before issuing the form authorizing the holder permission to
hunt on the land. A copy of each authorization shall be kept on record within
the Police Department and is revocable at any time if it is determined that
there has been a violation of conformity with the hunting laws of Pennsylvania
or this chapter.
The careless or improper use of any weapon tending to imperil the safety
of persons or engender disorderly practice is prohibited.
Any person violating any provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction
in a summary proceeding before a District Justice, be sentenced to pay a fine
not exceeding $1,000 and costs, and, in default of payment of fine or costs,
undergo imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 30 days.
Legible signs giving public notice of the essential provisions of this
chapter shall be posted at or near the public highways at the boundaries of
Willistown Township.
