Firearms Ordinance

Reprinted directly from the Town of Huntersville Code of Ordinances.

Chapter 132: Firearms.

§ 132.02 Definition

The term FIREARM is defined as any weapon or similar instrument from which shots, shells, bullets or similar projectiles are discharged by means of the explosion of gunpowder.

(Ordinance passed June 15, 1998)

§ 132.03 Reasonable Regard for Safety by Persons Discharging Firearms

Each person discharging a firearm is responsible for exhibiting reasonable regard for the safety and property of other persons and for discharging the firearm in such a manner as to assure that all projectiles come to rest safely within the boundary or boundaries of the property or properties on which the person is authorized to be shooting.

(Ordinance passed June 15, 1998)

§ 132.04 Discharging Firearms Prohibited; Exception

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm other than a shotgun or black powder rifle. A person discharging a shotgun or black powder rifle shall be restricted to the use of ammunition and load whose combined ballistic characteristics make it incapable of firing in excess of 900 feet and shall not be discharged within 900 feet of any of the following:

1. A dwelling house;
2. A school;
3. A church;
4. Any other type of building, while occupied;
5. A public or private park or recreation area;
6. Any other type of public gathering place;
7. Any domestic livestock not belonging to him or her unless such person has on his or her person written permission for such activity from the owner of the livestock.

(B) Division (A) of this section shall not apply to any of the following:

1. A rifle, pistol, skeet or trap range operated by a recognized gun club or by a law enforcement agency, which firing range is substantially in accordance with specifications promulgated by the National Rifle Association or by an equivalent nationally recognized firearms safety authority for the type and caliber of firearms being fired, except as provided in division (A) of this section;
2. A person target shooting on his or her own property (or on another’s property if he or she has on his or her person written permission for the activity from the owner of the property) exhibiting reasonable regard for the safety and property of other persons if:
   1. Such person is using a backstop substantially in accordance with specifications promulgated by the National Rifle Association or any equivalent nationally recognized firearms safety organizations for the type and caliber of firearms being fired; and
   2. Such person has on his or her person written permission for such activity from all persons owning any of the types of places or structures listed in division (A) of this section which are located within 900 feet of the target shooting activity;
3. A person hunting on his or her own property (or on another’s property if he or she has on his or her person written permission for the activity from the owner of the property), with a shotgun, and exhibiting reasonable regard for the safety and property of other persons if such person has on his or her person written permission for such activity from all persons owning any of the types of places or structures listed in division (A) of this section which are located within 900 feet of the hunting activity;
4. Law enforcement officers or members of the armed forces discharging firearms in the line of duty (provided that § 132.03 shall also not apply to such an activity);
5. Persons discharging firearms for the purpose of shooting or killing any dangerous animal or reptile; or
6. A person discharging a firearm in self-defense (provided that § 132.03 shall also not apply to such an activity).

(Ordinance passed June 15, 1998) Penalty, see § 132.99

§ 132.05 Discharging Firearm Into Public Area Prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm, including shotguns and black powder rifles, in such a way as will result in the projectile therefrom passing across a sidewalk or across a highway, street or other public vehicular area.

(Ordinance passed June 15, 1998) Penalty, see § 132.99

§ 132.06 Possession of Firearms by Minors Prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person, being a parent or guardian of, or standing in loco parentis to, any child under 12 years of age to permit such child to have possession or custody of or use in any manner whatsoever any firearm, whether such firearm is loaded or is not loaded without direct, active adult supervision of the child at all times the child is holding the firearm. It shall be unlawful for any person being a parent or guardian of, or standing in loco parentis to, any child between 12 years of age and 15 years of age to permit such child to discharge a firearm without direct, active adult supervision of the child at all times the child is firing the firearm unless that child has passed a Hunter Safety Course or similarly recognized course in firearms safety.

(Ordinance passed June 15, 1998) Penalty, see § 132.99

§ 132.07 Firing of Automatic Firearms Prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person to fire any firearm in a fully automatic mode except on a firing range operated by a recognized gun club or law enforcement agency, which firing range is substantially in accordance with specifications promulgated by the National Rifle Association or by an equivalent nationally recognized firearms safety authority for the firing of a fully automatic firearm of the type and caliber being fired. Such person firing a firearm in a fully automatic mode must have on his or her person the necessary documentation showing that the firearm is properly registered with the federal government and that the person has the proper federal license to possess such firearm.

(Ordinance passed June 15, 1998) Penalty, see § 132.99

§ 132.08 Enforcement.

North Carolina wildlife officers (Wildlife Protectors) are authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(Ordinance passed June 15, 1998)

§ 132.99 Penalty.

The violation of any provision of this chapter shall be a Class 3 misdemeanor and may be punishable by a fine of not more than $50 or imprisonment for not more than 20 days.

(Ordinance passed June 15, 1998)

Disclaimer

This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing Corporation provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents varies from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken.