The following terms, as used in this chapter, shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in this section:
FIREARM
An instrument used in the propulsion of shot, shell, bullet
and/or projectile by the action of gunpowder exploded within it.
SHOTGUN
A firearm that is generally a smooth bore firearm; designed
to be fired from the shoulder, and which uses the energy of a fixed
shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called "shot," or
a solid projectile called a "slug."
On any property within the Township, firearms and shotguns may
be discharged, except as follows:
A. No discharge within 150 yards of any occupied dwelling house, residence,
or other building or camp occupied by human beings, or any barn, stable,
or other building used in connection therewith or any attached or
detached playground of any school, nursery school or day-care center.
B. No discharge within 100 yards of a property line.
C. No shot, shell, bullet and/or projectile may cross any property line.
D. No discharge of firearms or shotguns, except with an adequate backstop.
E. No discharge between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following
uses or activities involving firearms or shotguns where otherwise
legal:
A. Authorized law enforcement officers acting in the line of duty.
B. Hunting or other activities regulated by and conducted in accordance
with the Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S.A. § 101
et seq.
C. Indoor commercial shooting ranges.
D. Outdoor commercial shooting ranges that were in operation prior to
the passage of this chapter.
E. Use of firearms or shotguns in defense of human life.
F. Any person over the age of 18 years using a firearm or shotgun to
control wildlife in the protection of cultivated crops, fruit trees,
vegetables, livestock, poultry or other property; provided, however,
that such use of the firearm or shotgun shall comply with the requirements
of the Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter
shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial
District Judge 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.