[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Centre Island 10-22-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 59, Firearms, adopted 4-5-1976 by L.L. No. 1-1976 as Sec. 1050 of the 1976 Municipal Code, as amended.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FIREARM
A shotgun, rifle, revolver, pistol or any other device which emits a projectile by the force of an explosion.
WEAPON
A longbow, when used with a hunting arrow tip, crossbow, blowgun, slingshot, CO2 gun, air gun, or any other device which emits a projectile with a force, other than an explosion, that can cause serious bodily harm. "Weapon" shall exclude a ceremonial cannon.
A. 
No person shall carry any firearm or weapon in the open air within the corporate limits of the Village, unless said firearm or weapon is contained in a case or sleeve designed for the protection of such firearm or weapon, while being carried or transported, or in the box or carton in which such firearm or weapon was purchased at retail, or in some other similar secure enclosure.
B. 
No person shall point, aim, discharge or otherwise use any firearm or weapon within the corporate limits of the Village, which includes target and trapshooting, except as permitted in § 59-3 below.
C. 
No person shall cause a projectile or bullet, emitted from any firearm or weapon, to pass over property within the corporate limits of the Village.
Subject to the restrictions of federal and New York State law, the provisions of § 59-2 shall not apply to:
A. 
A police or peace officer acting in the discharge of his or her duties; or
B. 
A person, when reasonably necessary for the protection of life and/or property, acts in self-defense; or
C. 
The owner's or owners' of land in the Village, or their authorized agents', use of a longbow with a hunting arrow tip, or crossbow for hunting on their land, provided:
(1) 
The individual using the longbow with a hunting arrow tip and/or crossbow holds the appropriate current and valid New York State hunting license;
(2) 
The land owner(s) is in possession of a current and valid New York State authorization for the hunting of deer on his/her land in the Village;
(3) 
The authorized agent has obtained the prior written consent of the property owner and any neighboring owners of land that he intends to enter or cross over pursuant to exercising his rights under this exception; and
(4) 
The land owner(s) and the authorized agent, if any, shall file with the Village Clerk all required permits, licenses and written consents from the property owner(s) and any neighboring landowner, all of which are required for compliance with provisions of § 59-3C.
Any police officer having reasonable cause to believe that a person is or has been violating any provision of this chapter may demand the surrender by such person of any firearm or weapon in the physical possession of such person, and if such firearm or weapon is not voluntarily surrendered pursuant to such demand, it may be taken from such person by the use of such force as may be reasonably necessary. If such person is charged with a violation of this chapter, the firearm or weapon so surrendered or taken shall be retained in the custody of the police until such charges are disposed of. Upon a dismissal of the charges or verdict of not guilty, the firearm or weapon shall be returned to such person. Upon any other disposition of the charges, the Board of Trustees may take such action with regard to such firearm or weapon as such Board may deem appropriate to protect public safety and welfare.
Any person committing an offense against any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a violation pursuant to the Penal Law of the State of New York, punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The continuation of an offense against the provisions of this chapter shall constitute, for each day the offense is continued, a separate and distinct offense hereunder.