[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City of Beacon 12-5-2016 by L.L. No. 16-2016. Amendments noted where applicable.
The City Council hereby finds that the storage, possession and
display of firearms in the City of Beacon require the regulation thereof
in the public interest, convenience and necessity. In addition, the
presence of an unsecured, easily accessible, loaded firearm in the
home increases the likelihood of death or injury from accidents or
impulsive acts. Guns left unattended in the home should be kept locked
or stored securely to prevent access by children and others who should
not have access to them. Gun owners are responsible for keeping their
firearms from falling into the hands of children and other unauthorized
individuals.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, whenever used in this chapter,
the following words shall have the meanings given to them by this
section when used herein:
Any weapon from which a shot is discharged by force of an
explosive, or a weapon which acts by force of gunpowder, and shall
include any weapon capable of being loaded with powder, ball or ammunition,
and shall include any weapon which is otherwise capable of being loaded
with powder, ball or ammunition, whether completed, assembled or from
which any part or piece has been removed therefrom.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
A safe or other secure container which, when locked, is incapable
of being opened without the key, combination or other unlocking mechanism
and is capable of preventing an unauthorized person from obtaining
access to and possession of the firearm contained therein.
A.Â
Firearms for sale shall be kept secured at all times when the place
in which they are held for sale is not open for business.
B.Â
A person who stores or leaves on premises under his or her control
a loaded firearm and who knows or reasonably should know that a minor
who may not legally have possession of a weapon is likely to gain
access to a loaded firearm at premises under the person's control
must keep the firearm in a safe storage depository or render it incapable
of being fired by use of a gun locking device appropriate to that
firearm.
Any person who shall violate or shall neglect or refuse to comply
with this chapter or any provisions thereof, upon a first offense,
shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall
be punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 or by imprisonment not
exceeding 15 days. Upon a second offense or when a first offense results
in injury or death, the offender shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding
$1,000 or by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or by both such
fine and imprisonment; and each day of violation shall constitute
a separate offense and be subject to punishment.
