The purpose of this article is to regulate the discharge of
firearms in the Town of Fairfield in furtherance of the protection
of public peace and safety.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
FIREARM
Shall have the same definition as in the Connecticut Penal
Code, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3(19), as the same may from
time to time be amended.
PEACE OFFICER
Shall have the same definition as in the Connecticut Penal
Code, Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-3(9), as the same
may from time to time be amended.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm
in the Town on public or private property, except as follows:
A. By the following persons in the performance of their official or
ceremonial duties:
(2) Members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the State
of Connecticut; or
(3) Authorized or licensed security personnel.
B. By any person acting to defend himself or herself or a third person
from physical force, solely in a manner consistent with all federal,
state, and local laws.
C. By any person responding to wildlife threatening human safety, solely
in a manner consistent with all federal, state, and local laws.
D. On any ranges authorized, in writing, by the Chief of Police of the
Town for the discharge of firearms. Such written authorization must
be received on an annual basis, and all such ranges shall be inspected
by the Chief of Police, or his or her designee, prior to any such
written authorizing being provided.
E. By any person hunting who is legally authorized to hunt under the
provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes or by local ordinance
and any regulations issued thereunder in such places and such manner
as is authorized under such statutes, ordinances and regulations.
Before any firearm is discharged on a person's property as authorized by §
63-3E herein, the owner of the property shall provide annual written notice to all abutting property owners which shall state:
A. The person's address; and
B. That the person intends to hunt, or to allow hunting by third parties,
on his or her property consistent with this article.
Each and every discharge of any firearm in violation of this
article shall constitute an offense and be punishable by a fine of
$250 per offense.
This article shall not supersede any provision of state law,
including, but not limited to, any state criminal law or state law
regulating hunting.
This article shall become effective 30 days after its passage
by the Representative Town Meeting.