[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Riverside 10-3-1960; amended in its entirety at time of adoption of Code (see
Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). Subsequent amendments noted where
applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Police Department — See Ch. 48.
Due to the density of the population in the
Borough of Riverside, it is necessary that the use of firearms be
regulated for the protection of the public health and safety and that
the unauthorized discharge of firearms be prohibited.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Includes but is not limited to any gun, shotgun, rifle, handgun,
pistol, pellet gun, BB gun, crossbow, bow and arrow, slingshot or
any other device which impels a projectile through the use of force.
Except as herein provided, it shall be unlawful
to fire or discharge any firearm within the Borough of Riverside.
Exceptions to § 151-3 are as follows:
A.
The use
of firearms is permitted when employed by any duly appointed law officer
in the course of his or her official duty.
B.
The use
of firearms is permitted when necessary for the preservation of human
life, as authorized in the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 101 et seq.
C.
The use
of firearms is permitted when hunting in conformity with the game
laws and other applicable laws, regulations and ordinances of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and this Borough, provided that any person
hunting upon the land of another shall have the written permission
of the landowner or lessee of the property and shall have the written
permission upon his or her person. The written permission shall be
signed by the owner or lessee, shall clearly and legibly state the
name and address of the person to whom the permission has been granted
and shall be dated and shall be valid only for that period as appears
on the face of the permittee's then-current state hunting license.
D.
The use
of firearms shall be allowed on target ranges, indoor or outdoor,
under the supervision of the owner or occupant of that land or his
or her duly appointed representative, provided that:
(1)
All
target ranges shall be constructed and operated in a safe and prudent
manner. If standards, regulations or recommended procedures for operation
are established or promulgated by any recognized body, such as the
National Rifle Association or the American Trap Shooting Association,
then such standards, regulations or procedures shall be adhered to.
(2)
Such
range is registered as such with the Borough by the owner or occupant
of the land on which the range is located, which registration shall
specify the area or areas designated for target range purposes.
The careless, reckless or improper use of any
firearm tending to imperil or cause danger or harm to personal security
or to endanger the property of any person within the Borough of Riverside
is prohibited.
Any person or persons discharging a firearm in violation of
any of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable by a maximum
fine of $1,000, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment
of such fine and costs, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 days.
Each day's continued violation shall constitute a separate offense.
Legible signs giving public notice of this chapter shall be
posted at or near the public highways at the boundaries of the Borough
of Riverside.
