As used in this chapter, the following term
shall have the meaning indicated:
FIREARMS
Includes air guns, air pistols, spring guns or pistols, shot
guns, rifles, pistols, revolvers, automatic or semiautomatic pistols
and/or any handgun of any caliber.
Except as herein provided, it shall be unlawful
to fire or discharge any firearm within the Township of Pennsbury.
Exceptions to the prohibition against discharge
of firearms within Pennsbury Township are as follows:
A. The use of firearms is permitted when employed by
any duly appointed law officer in the course of his or her official
duty.
B. The use of firearms is permitted when necessary for
the preservation of human life, as authorized in the Pennsylvania
Crimes Code.
C. The use of firearms is permitted when hunting in conformity
with the game laws and other applicable laws, regulations and ordinances
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and this Township, provided that
any person hunting upon the land of another shall have written permission
of the landowner or lessee of the property and shall have the written
permission upon his or her person. Written permission shall be signed
by the owner or lessee, shall clearly and legibly state the name and
address of the person by whom the permission has been granted and
shall be dated and shall be valid only for that period as appears
on the face of the permittee's then-current state hunting license.
D. The use of firearms in conformance with the laws and
statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is permitted when utilized
by the owner or tenant on his or her own land or by invited guests
of the owner or tenant of land when such use takes place in the presence
of the owner or tenant or with the written permission of the owner
or tenant.
The careless, reckless or improper use of any
firearm tending to imperil or cause danger or harm to personal security
or endanger the property of any person within the Township of Pennsbury
is prohibited.
[Amended 2-22-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-1]
Any person who violates or permits a violation
of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought
before a District Justice under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal
Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable
by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default
of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that
such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute
a separate offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated
shall also constitute a separate offense.
Legible signs giving public notice of the provisions
of this chapter shall be posted at or near the public highways at
the boundaries of Pennsbury Township.