[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Saco 5-1-1995 as Ch. III, Sec. 3-2, of the 1994 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPROVED OUTDOOR FIREARMS RANGE
An approved outdoor firearms range having a backstop constructed of logs or timbers of at least 12 inches in diameter with an earth barrier behind or an earth barrier of suitable materials with no less than a forty-five-degree slope. There shall be a natural obstruction of trees or terrain to the rear of the backstop. The target area shall be placed no less than three feet from the top and sides of the backstop. The range widths of the target shall be no less than 15 feet for 50 yards, 25 feet for 100 yards and 50 feet for 200 yards. No range shall be situated closer than 100 feet from any roadway and shall be constructed so that bullets or projectiles will not travel toward the nearest roadway. No shooting at an outdoor range shall be allowed between the hours of sunset and sunrise. These regulations shall not apply to indoor shooting ranges.
[Amended 5-2-2016]
FIREARM
Any weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, and includes any such weapon commonly referred to as a "pistol," "revolver," "rifle," "gun," "machine gun" or "shotgun." Any weapon which can be made into a firearm by the insertion of a firing pin or other similar thing or repair is a firearm.
MUZZLELOADING FIREARM
A rifle or smoothbore firearm that is loaded through the muzzle with powder or priming charge or a flint-, match- or wheel lock mechanism.
NO-DISCHARGE ZONE
That portion of the City encompassed within the following boundaries: Deep Brook, from the Saco River notherly to Route 112; then easterly to the intersection of Route 112 and Jenkins Road; then northerly to so-called Newton Farm Pond; then easterly to the Maine Turnpike; then southerly to Goosefare Brook; then following Goosefare Brook easterly to Old Orchard Road; then southerly to Ferry Road; then easterly to the easternmost boundary of Laurel Hill Cemetery; then southerly to the Saco River, thence along the Saco River to Deep Brook, the point of beginning.
[Amended 11-7-2005]
SHOTGUN
A rifled or smoothbore firearm designated to shoot shot shells, e.g., 10-, 12-, 16-, 20- and 28-gauge and .410-caliber.
SHOTGUN/MUZZLELOADING FIREARM-ONLY ZONE
That portion of the City encompassed within the following boundaries:
[Amended 4-1-1996; 11-7-2005; 5-2-2016]
A. 
That area from the point where Deep Brook joins the Saco River northerly along the westerly side of Deep Brook to Buxton Road; then westerly along Buxton Road to Simpson Road; then southwesterly along Simpson Road to Fire Lane 4; then from the intersection of Fire Lane 4 and Simpson Road southwesterly to the Saco River; thence along the Saco River to the Maine Turnpike, the point of beginning.
B. 
Beginning at a point along the Saco River at the southeast corner of Laurel Hill Cemetery; then in a northerly direction to Ferry Road; then westerly on Ferry Road to Old Orchard Road; then northerly on Old Orchard Road to the Goosefare Brook at the town line; then easterly along Goosefare Brook to the ocean's edge; then southerly along the shoreline to the breakwater at Camp Ellis; then westerly along the Saco River to Laurel Hill Cemetery, being the point of beginning.
UNRESTRICTED ZONE
That portion of the City not encompassed within the no-discharge or shotgun/muzzleloading firearm-only zones.
[Added 5-2-2016]
[Amended 5-2-2016]
It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot or discharge a firearm of any kind or description in the City within 100 yards of a residential dwelling without the permission of the owner or, in their absence, of an adult occupant of that dwelling.
[Amended 5-2-2016]
It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot or discharge a firearm of any kind or description in the City in a reckless manner.
[Amended 5-2-2016]
A. 
Shotgun/muzzleloading firearm-only zone. It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot or discharge a firearm of any kind or description other than a shotgun, muzzleloading firearm, or blank cartridges in any portion of the City which is designated as a shotgun/muzzleloading firearm-only zone, and the western-style shooting will be done in a confined internal building.
B. 
No-discharge zone. It shall be unlawful for a person to shoot or discharge a firearm of any kind or description in the no-discharge zone except as specifically allowed in this chapter.
C. 
Unrestricted zone. There are no municipal restrictions on discharging legally possessed or licensed firearms in this zone, subject to all applicable federal, state or municipal laws or ordinances.
[Amended 5-2-2016]
No provision of this chapter shall be construed to limit the authority to discharge a firearm by a person who is:
A. 
Acting in lawful defense of a person, including themselves.
B. 
A law enforcement officer or government official acting within the scope of their lawful duties.
C. 
A member of any branch of the United States military, veterans' organizations or similar organizations in connection with public ceremonial events and do involve the release of projectiles.
D. 
Discharging a firearm with blank cartridges for school-sanctioned theatrical productions or athletic events.
E. 
In the shotgun/muzzleloading firearm-only zone, discharging a firearm with blank cartridges if otherwise compliant with 12 M.R.S.A. § 11209.
F. 
In the shotgun/muzzleloading firearm-only zone, discharging a firearm at an approved firearms range.
G. 
Raccoon hunting at night with a .22 long rifle caliber firearm.
H. 
A trapper tending his traps.
[Added 5-2-2016[1]]
Notwithstanding the preceding, any contest or event that involves shooting, and any facility that hosts, promotes or facilitates shooting on its premises, must also comply with any applicable City noise limitation and ordinance.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated former § 99-6 as § 99-7.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, plus costs, which fines shall be recovered in a civil action to the use of the City.