Borough of Elizabethtown, PA Part 5 USE OF FIREARMS AND WEAPONS RESTRICTED

§ 501 Use of Firearms, Weapons Restricted; Violations and Penalties.

[Ord. 688, 2/18/1988, § 1; as amended by Ord. 829, 11/15/2001]

1. Definitions.

CHAKO STICKS

An instrument consisting of two or more sticks, clubs, bars or rods to be used as handles connected by rope, cord, wire or chain.

FIREARM

Any device by whatever name known, which is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas or escape of gas including pneumatic guns, spring guns or B-B guns; excluding, however:

(1) Any device used exclusively for the firing of stud cartridges, explosive rivets or similar industrial ammunition.

(2) Model rockets designed to propel a model vehicle in a vertical direction.

HANDGUN

Any firearm which:

(1) Is designed or redesigned or made or remade and intended to be fired while held in one hand;

(2) Having a barrel of less than 12 inches in length; or,

(3) A firearm of the size which may be concealed upon the person.

THROWING STAR

An instrument consisting of a metal plate having three or more radiating points with one or more sharp edges and designed in the shape of a polygon, trefoil, cross, star, diamond or other geometric shape for use as a weapon.

2. It is unlawful for any person on a public street, sidewalk or in a public place to carry any bludgeon, black-jack, slug shot, sand club, sand bag, metal knuckles or any knife, commonly referred to as a switch-blade knife, which has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife or any bomb, bomb-shell, grenade, bottle or other container containing an explosive substance or over 1/4 ounce for like purposes, such as, but not limited to, black powder bombs, Molotov cocktails or artillery projectiles; or any throwing stars and chako sticks.

3. No person shall, except in necessary defense of person or property or on a rifle range under adult supervision approved by the Mayor or Chief of Police of the Borough, fire or discharge or use any gun, firearm, air rifle or bow and arrow within the Borough of Elizabethtown. The Mayor may approve, under special circumstances, the discharge of firearms by approved persons for the purpose of exterminating pigeons and other pests.

4. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $600 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days.

5. This Part shall not apply to peace officers or other persons permitted by law to carry such weapons.