Borough of Towanda, PA Chapter 142 Firearms

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Towanda 2-2-1897; amended in its entirety 12-3-1979 by Ord. No. 5-1979. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 142-1 Definitions and word usage.

A. Terms defined. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

BOW AND ARROW

All bows and arrows.

FIREARMS

Any pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle, air rifle, CO₂ gun, BB gun, automatic weapon, slingshot, pellet-firing gun or any other firearm or weapon from which a shot or other object is discharged.

B. Word usage. Unless inconsistent with this chapter, words or phrases herein shall take the meaning as defined in the Uniform Firearms Act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6101 et seq.

§ 142-2 Permit required for use of weapons.

From and after adoption of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to fire, shoot or discharge a firearm or bow and arrow within the limits of the Borough of Towanda, unless such person has first obtained and has in his possession a written permit from the Chief or other officer in charge of the Police Department of the Borough of Towanda authorizing such discharge or shooting.

§ 142-3 Authorized uses and issuance of permit.

A. The Chief, or other officer in charge of the Police Department of the Borough of Towanda, in the interest of promoting the health, safety, comfort and welfare of the citizens of the Borough, is hereby empowered to issue a written permit on a form provided by the Borough, for a limited time only, authorizing the use of one or more specified firearms for the following:

(1) The extermination of rodents or other pests.

(2) The protection of property from damage.

(3) Target practice.

B. In issuing permits, the issuing officer shall consider the following:

(1) The sites of shooting with relation to built-up areas.

(2) The limitation to daylight hours.

(3) Any other factor which will involve the health, comfort, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Borough.

§ 142-4 Persons and uses exempt.

The permit provisions of this chapter shall not apply to police and other law enforcement officers in the legal performance of their duties, to persons exempt from procuring a license under the Uniform Firearms Act or to authorized teaching of the bow and arrow by the Towanda Area School District under controlled conditions.

§ 142-5 Seizure of weapons used in violation.

The police officers of the Borough are hereby authorized to seize and retain any firearm or bow and arrow of any description from which a shot or other object is discharged, which shall be used or discharged within the Borough in violation of this chapter until disposition of proceedings against the possessor of the same.

§ 142-6 Violations and penalties.

Any person violating any of the foregoing sections shall be guilty of a summary offense and, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $25 for the first offense hereunder, and for each subsequent offense the fine shall be increased by an additional $25 e.g. $50 for the second, $75 for the third, to a maximum of $300. Upon refusal to pay such fine and costs, and after appropriate proceedings in conformity with the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, such person shall undergo imprisonment in the Bradford County Jail for a period of 10 days.