[HISTORY: Adopted 5-6-1985 Annual Town Meeting, Art. 29. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Within the Town, no person shall fire or discharge any firearm
within the limits of any park, playground or other public property,
except with the consent of the Select Board, nor fire or discharge
any firearm on any private property, except with the consent of the
owner or tenant thereof.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall
be punished by a fine of not more than $50 for each offense.
This chapter shall not apply to the lawful defense of life or
property nor to any law enforcement officer acting in the discharge
of his duties.
[Added 10-28-2019 STM by Art. 16]
B.
This Bylaw
is adopted under the authority granted by the Home Rule Amendment
of the Massachusetts Constitution and the Home Rule Procedures Act.
C.
Terms used
in this Bylaw shall have the definitions set forth in M.G.L. c. 140,
§ 121.
D.
Safety requirements.
(1)
The
Chief of Police shall adopt, and from time to time may revise, regulations,
subject to approval by the Select Board, governing the safety of the
premises and proper operation of businesses situated in the Town of
Littleton engaged in the sale, rental, or lease of firearms or operating
as a gunsmith. Such regulations shall include a requirement that all
such businesses maintain on file with the Town Clerk copies of all
licenses under which they are operating. Upon approval by the Select
Board, such regulations shall be provided to the Littleton Town Clerk.
(2)
Violation
of such regulations shall be punished by a fine of $300 per violation.
Each day of noncompliance shall constitute a separate violation. Violations
may be penalized by a noncriminal disposition as provided in M.G.L.
c. 40, § 21D; police officers shall be the enforcing agents for
such noncriminal dispositions.
E.
Inspection
fees.
(1)
The
Chief of Police shall calculate a fee for annual inspections (as required
by M.G.L. c. 140, § 123) of licensees under M.G.L. c. 140, §
122, that reflects the costs incurred by the Town in performing those
inspections. Such fee amount shall be stated in a notice signed by
the Chief of Police and provided to the Littleton Town Clerk. The
Chief of Police may modify the fee annually.
(2)
The
total amount of annual inspection fees for the three-year license
term must be paid by the licensee within 30 days of license issuance
or renewal. Licensees possessing licenses on the effective date of
this bylaw shall pay the annual fee prior to each annual inspection
for the remainder of the term of their existing licenses. Failure
to pay such fees by the time required shall be considered refusal
to submit to an annual inspection.
