[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of Peters Township 9-20-1976 by Ord. No.
163 (Ch. 6, Part 2, of the 1981 Code of Ordinances).
Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 12-17-2007 by Ord. No. 697]
On or after the effective date of this chapter, it shall be
unlawful for any person to discharge any prohibited weapon in Peters
Township.
A.
Offense defined. A "prohibited weapon" shall be any weapon discharging
a single missile projectile by force, including rifles, pistols, BB
guns, air guns, air pistols, spring guns, spring pistols, crossbows,
slingshots, bows and arrows, or shotguns or any other weapon which
impels a pellet with a force that can reasonably be expected to cause
bodily harm.
B.
Exceptions. This chapter shall not apply to:
(1)
Constables, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens, or their deputies,
policemen of this commonwealth or its political subdivisions, or other
law enforcement officers, or officers or employees of the United States,
duly authorized to carry firearms in the performance of their duties.
(2)
Members of the Army, Navy or Marine Corps of the United States or
of the National Guard, or organized reserves when on duty in the Township.
(3)
Persons discharging any such weapons in self-defense as permitted
by law, or for the protection of their property or livestock.
(4)
Persons engaged in hunting activities as authorized by the Game Laws
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and pursuant to regulations adopted
by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
(5)
Persons using licensed or approved firearms ranges.
It shall be unlawful to hunt or discharge a weapon upon property
of another without consent of the property owner, or person in charge
of said property.
[Amended 4-13-1981 by Ord. No. 235; 12-17-2007 by Ord. No. 697]
It shall be unlawful to hunt in Township-owned parks, recreational
facilities, or other properties designated by the Township; except
when specific written authority is granted by the Council or its designee.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 206-4, Map of permitted
hunting areas, as amended 4-13-1981 by Ord. No. 235, was repealed
12-17-2018 by Ord. No. 832.
[Amended 4-13-1981 by Ord. No. 235]
Should any section or provision of this chapter be declared
by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such
decision shall not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole
nor the validity of any other section or provision of this chapter
other than the one so declared. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit
or otherwise make unlawful activities permitted under the Pennsylvania
Uniform Firearms Act, 18 P.S. § 6109 et seq., for persons
licensed or otherwise authorized to engage in activities protected
by said Act, or as otherwise specifically provided by law.
[Amended 3-14-2016 by Ord. No. 794]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter
shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding
commenced by the Township before a Magisterial District Judge, pay
a fine of not more than $600, plus all court costs, including reasonable
attorney's fees, incurred by the Township in the enforcement of this
chapter. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment,
the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable Rules
of Civil Procedure. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a
separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the
Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including
injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.
