As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BACKSTOP
A sufficiently steep earthen berm, bank, hillside, or other
structure intended safely to stop and contain projectiles fired at
targets on a target range.
BULLET TRAP
An angled metal plate trap, snail trap, or other device intended
safely to stop and contain projectiles fired at targets placed in
front of it.
FIREARM
A shotgun, rifle, pistol, revolver, or other gun or implement
of any caliber, mechanism or kind which impels a bullet, slug, single
or multiple pellets, or other projectile(s) of any sort by the combustion,
explosion or ignition of a propellant powder, "gunpowder," or other
chemical compound. The term "firearm" as used in this chapter does
not include nail guns and similar powder-actuated construction tools
that use 0.22 blanks or other blank cartridges, when used for their
intended purpose of driving nails, rivets, and other fasteners into
solid materials, and not for the firing of nails, rivets, pellets
or other projectiles through the air in the nature of a conventional
firearm.
FIREARMS TARGET RANGE
Any outdoor or outdoor site, location or facility for the
firing of firearms in target practice, marksmanship training, shooting
competition or recreation, rather than for hunting or other uses specifically
permitted in this chapter.
INCENDIARY AMMUNITION
Ammunition containing a compound that burns upon being fired
or upon striking a target, designed to cause fires.
LOW-POWERED NON-POWDER GUN
So-called "paintball guns" and "airsoft guns" which propel
paint marking, powder marking, or plastic projectiles, intended to
be fired at people wearing suitable personal protective equipment,
where the projectiles are propelled at velocities not exceeding 400
feet per second by the force of compressed air, compressed gas, or
spring force and not by the combustion, explosion or ignition of a
propellant powder, "gunpowder," or other chemical compound, as well
as traditional spring-powered and other BB guns firing spherical metal
BBs at velocities less than 350 feet per second.
MINOR
Any individual less than 18 years of age.
NON-POWDER GUN
Air rifles, air pistols, spring guns, spring pistols, BB
rifles, BB pistols, or similar devices which are not firearms as defined
in this chapter, which impel a pellet (whether spherical, conical,
waisted, dart-shaped, or of any other kind), BB, slug, bullet, dart,
or other projectile, by means of force produced by compressed air,
compressed gas (including CO2, nitrogen, "green gas" or any other
gas), compressed spring force, piston force, or any other mechanism,
that can reasonably be expected to cause bodily harm if the projectile
strikes a person. The term "non-powder gun" shall not include:
A.
So-called "paintball guns" which propel paint marking or powder
marking projectiles, or "airsoft" guns which propel spherical plastic
projectiles, intended to be fired at people wearing suitable personal
protective equipment, where the projectiles are propelled at velocities
not exceeding 400 feet per second by the force of compressed air or
compressed gas, and not by the combustion, explosion or ignition of
a propellant powder, "gunpowder," or other chemical compound;
B.
Traditional spring-powered and other BB guns firing spherical
metal BBs at velocities less than 350 feet per second; or
C.
CO2 powered, pneumatic or similar nail guns or other construction
tools when used for their intended purpose of driving nails, rivets,
and other fasteners into solid materials, and not for the firing of
nails, rivets, or other fasteners or projectiles through the air in
the nature of a conventional firearm.
NON-POWDER GUN TARGET RANGE
Any outdoor or partially outdoor site, location or facility
for the firing of non-powder guns firing projectiles at not more than
1,000 feet per second muzzle velocity, and not exceeding 0.25 caliber
(0.25").
PYROTECHNIC AMMUNITION
Ammunition including but not limited to "dragon's breath"
and similar rounds that, upon being fired, is designed to emit more
than the usual amount of flame, spark, or muzzle flash from the firearm's
muzzle, in the nature of fireworks.
SIDE BERMS OR WALLS
Earthen berms, dirt banks, masonry walls, or other structures
extending from the backstop in the direction of the firing line or
firing point(s), for the purpose of safely containing any projectiles
or projectile fragments that might ricochet or glance off the backstop,
targets or target frames.
TRACER AMMUNITION
Ammunition having a combustible compound in the base of the
projectile which burns in flight, in order to permit visual observation
of the projectile's flight path.
Except as herein otherwise provided, it shall be unlawful and
it is hereby prohibited for any person or persons to fire or discharge
any firearm within the Township of Towamencin, Montgomery County,
Pennsylvania.
No person shall, except in defense of person or property or
on an approved target range under adult supervision, fire or discharge
any firearm within the Township of Towamencin.
Nothing herein contained shall prohibit the use of:
A. A shotgun or other firearm when used for lawful hunting purposes
in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game
Commission;
B. The use of any type of firearm or non-powder gun on an approved target
range under adult supervision;
C. In the R-200 District and to the extent permitted by law and Pennsylvania
Game Commission rules and regulations, the control or elimination
of agricultural pests and other animals causing property damage or
nuisance by use of a shotgun firing multiple spherical pellets not
exceeding the size of No. 3 buckshot (0.25"), or a 0.22 caliber rimfire
rifle, or a non-powder gun;
D. The discharge of a firearm or non-powder gun in lawful self-defense;
or
E. The discharge of firearms by law enforcement officers in practice,
training or qualification firing approved by their law enforcement
agency, at a firearms target range approved by the Township.
Any Township police officer lawfully engaged in his law enforcement
duties within the Township of Towamencin is hereby authorized to seize,
for evidentiary purposes, any firearm, as defined herein, which shall
be fired or discharged within the limits of the Township of Towamencin
in violation of this chapter.
Any person or persons violating any of the provisions of this
chapter shall be subject to a fine of not less than $25 and not more
than $300 and the costs of prosecution, through the issuance of a
summary citation. In default of the payment of any fine or penalty
imposed by any District Justice under the provisions of this chapter,
the person or persons so violating may be committed to the Montgomery
County Prison for a period determined by the District Justice, not
to exceed 30 days.