It is the purpose of this chapter to regulate the discharge
of firearms and to prohibit hunting within the corporate limits of
the Village of Lima in order to promote the public health, safety
and welfare throughout the Village. It is also intended that this
chapter shall supersede any conflicting provision or interpretation
of Local Law No. 5 of 2007.
Unless the context otherwise indicates, as used in this chapter:
ARROW
Any shaft having a pointed end designed to be propelled any
distance by a bow.
BARRIER
For purposes of this chapter, a permanent structure or natural
feature that is stationary and would serve to stop or impede any projectile
that can be fired from a BB gun, air rifle or slingshot, and being
sufficient for that purpose in size and in composition, such as, but
not limited to, the wall of a barn or building, or a mound or hill
or bank of land.
BOW
Any bow, including, but not limited to a crossbow, longbow,
recurved bow, or compound bow, or any variations thereof, that is
or may be used to propel an arrow or other projectile.
FIREARM
Any weapon from which a missile or projectile, such as a
single slug or bullet, is hurled by an explosive. The term "firearm"
includes, but is not limited to muzzle-loading weapons.
HUNTING
For purposes of this chapter, the discharge or use of any
firearm or weapon or instrument whatsoever, including but not limited
to all firearms, BB guns, air rifles, bows and arrows and slingshots,
while in pursuit of or with the intention of taking or killing animals
or birds or other wildlife. This chapter's prohibition against hunting
is not intended to include the practice known as driving or pushing.
LOOSE SHOT
Multiple spherical-type projectiles to be discharged from
a shotgun.
MUZZLE-LOADING WEAPON
Rifles, shotguns, pistols or cannons incapable of being loaded
through the breech without the use of tools.
PISTOL
A small firearm having a stock to fit the hand, and a short
barrel, and fired from one hand.
PROJECTILE
A missile or missiles projected or thrown by force from a
firearm.
REVOLVER
A type of pistol having a revolving cylinder in the breech
chambered to hold several cartridges that may be fired in succession
without reloading.
RIFLE
A firearm having a rifled or spirally grooved bore, usually
fired from the shoulder and loaded from the breech.
SHOTGUN
A smoothbore gun, either single or double barreled, adapted
for the discharge of shot.
TARGET PRACTICE
The use of any firearm, bow and arrow, or other weapon or
device to shoot at an object, such as a padded disk with a marked
surface, or other objects such as cans, wood, debris or the like,
for the purpose of testing a person's skill or accuracy in the use
of a firearm, bow and arrow, or other weapon or device.
No person shall use or discharge a firearm, meaning to describe
a rifle, pistol, revolver, shotgun, muzzle-loading weapon, or bow
and/or arrow in any outdoor or exterior space within the municipal
limits of the Village of Lima, including for the purposes of target
practice on private property.
Hunting game or animals within the Village of Lima is prohibited.
Few if any locations within the corporate limits of the Village of
Lima could be legally used for the purposes of hunting in compliance
with regulations concerning appropriate distance from residential
structures. The Village Board of Trustees concludes that hunting anywhere
within the bounds of the Village of Lima poses a hazard to persons
and property within the Village. The prohibition against hunting includes
hunting with any firearm or weapon or instrument whatsoever, including
but not limited to all firearms, BB guns, air rifles, bows and arrows,
and slingshots.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine of no more than $250
or imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or both, for each offense.
Each discharge of a firearm in violation of the provisions of this
chapter shall constitute a separate offense.
If any portion of this chapter and/or any amendments made hereto
are held unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction,
the remainder of this chapter and amendments made hereto shall not
be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
This chapter shall become effective within 30 days following
the filing thereof with the Secretary of State.