[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Exeter as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and recreation areas — See Ch. 274.
Zoning — See Ch. 390.
[Adopted 4-26-1982 by Ord. No. 174; amended in its entirety 5-23-2011 by Ord. No. 712]
A. 
Except as provided in Subsection B of this section, it shall be unlawful within the Township of Exeter for any person to discharge a firearm other than:
(1) 
Constables, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens, or their deputies, policemen of this commonwealth or its political subdivisions, or other law enforcement officers while engaged in their official duties, including but not limited to training sessions.
(2) 
Officers or employees of the United States duly authorized to carry a firearm while engaged in their official duties.
(3) 
Any person engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, or dealing in firearms, or the agent or representative of any such person, having in his possession, discharging such a firearm in the usual or ordinary course of such business.
B. 
Exceptions. A person may discharge a firearm:
(1) 
While hunting as provided for by:
(a) 
Pennsylvania Title 34[1] known as the "Pennsylvania Game Law";
[1]
Editor's Note: See 34 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.
(b) 
By the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission; and
(c) 
Applicable zoning regulations.
(2) 
At any gun club or on any private outdoor target, trap, skeet, or shooting range that is properly constructed and complies with both NRA standards for range safety and applicable zoning regulations, except that no discharge of a firearm is permitted:
(a) 
Onto, across, or within 50 yards of a public road;
(b) 
Into or within the safety zone, the dimensions of which are defined at Title 34, Section 2505(c),[2] as may be amended; or
[2]
Editor's Note: See 34 Pa.C.S.A. § 2505(c).
(c) 
From, onto, or across public or private property without the owner or occupant's prior written consent;
(3) 
In a private basement or cellar target range that is properly constructed and complies with both NRA standards for range safety and applicable zoning regulations. (The phrase "properly constructed" is defined as meeting all applicable state and local laws and regulations.)
(4) 
When necessary to protect life or property;
(5) 
To kill a dangerous animal.
C. 
Nothing in this section shall exempt any person or persons from being subject to all the rules and regulations promulgated and set forth by Pennsylvania Title 34 known as the "Pennsylvania Game Law," as amended.
A. 
It shall be unlawful within the Township of Exeter for any person to discharge any air rifle, air pistol, spring gun, spring pistol, BB gun, or similar device, or any implement that is not a firearm, which impels a pellet of any kind with a force that can reasonably be expected to cause bodily harm at any place, within the Township of Exeter except as provided in Subsection B of this section.
B. 
Exceptions. A person may discharge an air rifle or similar device when:
(1) 
On a properly constructed target range that complies with both NRA standards for range safety and applicable zoning regulations (The phrase "properly constructed" is defined as meeting all applicable state and local laws and regulations.); or
(2) 
On any private grounds or residence under circumstances when such air rifle or similar devices can be fired, discharged or operated in such a manner as not to endanger persons or property and then only if it is used in such manner as to prevent the projectile from transversing any grounds or space outside the limits of such grounds or residence and if it is allowed under applicable zoning regulations.
C. 
Nothing in this section shall exempt any person or persons from being subject to all the rules and regulations promulgated and set forth by 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6304, Sale and use of air rifles, as amended.
A. 
Except as provided in Subsection B of this section, it shall be unlawful within the Township of Exeter for any person to discharge a bow and arrow.
B. 
Exceptions. A person may discharge a bow and arrow:
(1) 
While hunting as provided for by:
(a) 
Pennsylvania Title 34 known as the "Pennsylvania Game Law";
(b) 
The rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission; and
(c) 
Applicable zoning regulations.
(2) 
On any properly constructed private outdoor target or shooting range, as may be permitted under applicable zoning regulations, except that no discharge of a bow and arrow is permitted:
(a) 
Onto, across, or within 50 yards of a public road;
(b) 
Into or within the safety zone into or within the safety zone, the dimensions of which are defined at Title 34, Section 2505(c),[1] as may be amended; or
[1]
Editor's Note: See 34 Pa.C.S.A. § 2505(c).
(c) 
From, onto, or across public or private property without the owner or occupant's written consent.
(3) 
On private grounds or residence under circumstances when such bow and arrow or similar devices can be released, fired, discharged or operated in such a manner as not to endanger persons or property and then only if it is used in such manner as to prevent the arrow from transversing any grounds or space outside the limits of such grounds or residence and complies with any applicable zoning regulations;
(4) 
In a private basement or cellar target range that is properly constructed and complies with standards for range safety;
(5) 
When necessary to protect life or property; or
(6) 
To kill a dangerous animal.
The phrase "properly constructed" is defined as meeting all applicable state and local laws and regulations.
C. 
Nothing in this section shall exempt any person or persons from being subject to all the rules and regulations promulgated and set forth by Pennsylvania Title 34 known as the "Pennsylvania Game Law," as amended.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this article, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues or each section of this chapter which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.
[Adopted 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 678]
No hunting or trapping shall be permitted on Township-owned property. It shall further be unlawful for any individual to discharge a firearm or bow into or upon the Township-owned property. For the purposes of this article, "hunting" shall be defined as any act or furtherance of the taking or killing of any game or wildlife, or any part or product thereof, including, but not limited to, chasing, tracking, calling, pursuing, lying in wait, trapping, shooting (including shooting at a game or wildlife facsimile), or wounding with any weapon or implement any game or wildlife.
The Township staff shall be authorized to post notices on Township-owned property, at reasonable intervals as determined by the Township, to advise that no hunting shall be permitted thereon.
The Exeter Township Police Department or its designees are authorized to enforce the provisions of this article. In addition to any penalties prescribed by the Pennsylvania Game Law, any violation of this article shall constitute a summary offense, pursuant the Second Class Township Code. Any person violating any of the provisions of this article, upon being found guilty thereof in an action commenced by Exeter Township before a District Justice in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be ordered to pay a fine of not more than $1,000, plus all court costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Township. Such fines shall be collected as like fines are now collected by law; and in default, the violator shall undergo imprisonment to the extent allowed by law for the punishment of summary offenses. Each day or portion thereof in which a violation is found to exist shall constitute a separate offense.