City of Cortland, NY Chapter 136 Firearms

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Cortland 9-2-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 136-1 Findings and purposes.

The Common Council, in order to assure the proper protection, health, safety and welfare of persons in the City, and those lawfully in the public buildings of the City of Cortland, and in order to insure the performance of essential governmental functions by City employees without threat or intimidation of them or others, finds it to be in the public interest to prohibit the discharge of firearms in the City and the carrying of any weapon in certain public buildings in the City of Cortland.

§ 136-2 Definitions.

A. When used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them, and, where unclear, shall be given their common meanings:

CARRY

The open or concealed possession by any person of a weapon, except where such possession is consistent with an authorized activity or function.

FIREARM

(1) Any pistol or revolver; or

(2) Any rifle or shotgun; or

(3) Any assault weapon.

PERSON

Any person, except:

(1) An authorized peace officer or police officer, as defined in the New York State Criminal Procedure Law §§ 1.20 and 2.10;

(2) A sheriff or deputy sheriff;

(3) An authorized official of the county, state or federal government;

(4) Fire Department personnel who are permanent occupants of a public building;

(5) A security officer duly authorized by the City; or

(6) Individuals who are engaged in activities duly authorized by the City, or on their own property.

PUBLIC BUILDING

Any building or public park owned, occupied or operated by the City of Cortland.

WEAPON

Any firearm, electronic dart gun, electronic stun gun, gravity knife, switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, cane sword, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, metal knuckles, chuka stick, sand bag, sandclub, slingshot, shirken or "Kung Fu star," or any dagger, dangerous knife, dirk, razor, stiletto, imitation pistol, or any other dangerous or deadly instrument. "Weapon" shall also mean any noxious material, including any container which contains any drug or other substance capable of generating offensive, noxious or suffocating fumes, gases or vapors, or capable of immobilizing a person.

B. Where this chapter is silent, definitions shall be supplied by relevant sections of the Penal Law of New York State, Article 265, concerning firearms and other dangerous weapons.

§ 136-3 Prohibited conduct.

A. No person shall discharge any firearm, airgun, spring gun or bow at any time within the confines of the City of Cortland.

B. No person shall carry any weapon in any public building.

C. No person who carries a weapon in any public building shall refuse to surrender such weapon at the request of any police officer, sheriff or deputy sheriff, or other duly authorized officer or employee of the City. Any legal weapon so surrendered shall be returned to such person upon their departure from the building.

D. Nothing contained in this chapter is intended to authorize the possession or use of any weapon, the possession or use of which is made unlawful by any other law, statute, ordinance or resolution.

E. Nothing contained in this chapter is intended to prohibit the possession or use of any weapon, otherwise lawful, except under the circumstances herein specified.

§ 136-4 Penalties for offenses.

Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $250, or incarceration not to exceed 15 days, or both.