Township of Manchester, NJ Chapter 167 Firearms

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Manchester by Ord. No. 80-170 (Sec. 3-7 of the 1996 Revised General Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 167-1 Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter, the following words and terms shall include the meanings established herein:

FIREARM

Any gun, shotgun, rifle, pistol, revolver, or other device from which a bullet, shot, ball, slug, pellet, solid projectile, or other missile, or any gas, vapor, or other noxious thing is propelled by means of a cartridge or shell or by the action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or explosive substances.

§ 167-2 Prohibited areas.

It shall be unlawful to discharge or fire any firearm, or more specifically for the purpose to hunt, take, kill, or pursue any wild bird, animal or fowl, or to be upon any property, public or private, with a firearm for the aforesaid purpose in the following designated areas of the Township of Manchester:

A. Within 450 feet of any dwelling, schoolhouse, school building, schoolyard or playground, or other public playground, bathing beach, or public picnic areas and designated parking area therefor;

B. Within any posted safety zone, posted as such, with the New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Shellfisheries safety zone poster;

C. Within any area designated by any "No Hunting" or "No Trespassing" signs posted by the owners of the property in accordance with Title 23 of the New Jersey Laws.

D. Within an area bounded as follows:

Beginning at the intersection of Fairfield Street and Route 571 and running westerly along Fairfield Street to its intersection with Pine Lake; thence westerly at a distance of 450 feet from and along the northerly boundary of Pine Lake and around the shoreline of Pine Lake to the northerly boundary of Block 1-359; thence westerly along the northerly boundary of 1-359 and 1-858; thence westerly along Montgomery Avenue to Middlesex Street and northerly along Middlesex Street to Riverside Avenue; thence westerly along Riverside Avenue to Fairfax Street; thence southerly along Fairfax Street and the westerly boundary of Blocks 1-302, 1-301, 1-275, 1-274 and 1-245; thence along Manchester Street to Commonwealth Boulevard; thence westerly along Third Street; southerly along Bee Street to Second Street; westerly along Second Street to Farm Street; southerly along Farm Street to Route 37; thence southeast along Route 37 to Northampton Boulevard; thence northerly along Northampton Boulevard to First Avenue; thence easterly along First Avenue to Brookline Street; thence northerly along Brookline Street to the point in Route 571 (Ridgeway Road) at its intersection with Tenth Avenue; thence northwesterly along Route 571 to its intersection with Fairfield Street.

It is the intent that the area encompassed be that area designated as Pine Lake and Pine Lake Park and a portion of Savannah Acres as designated on the Tax Map of the Township of Manchester.

§ 167-3 Exceptions.

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be interpreted to prohibit the use, discharge, or possession of firearms for any other lawful purpose in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6 or Title 23 of New Jersey Statutes.

§ 167-4 Violations and penalties. [1]

Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties included in Chapter 1, Article II, General Penalty, of the Township Code.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).

§ 167-5 Jurisdiction.

The Municipal Court of the Township of Manchester shall have jurisdiction to try and punish any person violating any provision of this chapter; and any fine and cost recovered in Municipal Court shall be for the benefit of the Township.