[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of West Amwell 2-7-2007 by Ord. No. 02-2007.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and recreation areas — See Ch. 124.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 86, Firearms, adopted 11-18-1955, as amended.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FIREARM
Any gun, shotgun, rifle, pistol, revolver or other device, including air guns, from which a bullet, shot, ball, slug, pellet, solid projectile or other missile, or any gas, vapor or other noxious thing, is propelled by means of a cartridge or shell or by the action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or explosive substances.
A. 
No person, while engaged in target shooting, practice shooting or other similar activities within the limits of the Township, shall at any time fire or discharge or cause to be fired or discharged any pistol, shotgun, rifle or other firearm within 300 feet of an occupied building. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the discharge of firearms by any person on property occupied by them as an owner or tenant, provided that firearms are not discharged upon or across any public or private road, driveway (unless the road or driveway is owned or leased by said person or a member of his or her immediate family) or highway used by the public generally or within 300 feet of any building owned by any other person. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any pistol or rifle range which has been duly licensed.
B. 
There shall be no discharge of firearms prior to dawn and after dusk. The provisions of this section shall not apply:
(1) 
To farmers duly authorized by the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Game for the purposes of deer management; or
(2) 
To outdoor lighted skeet-shooting ranges.
No person or gun club shall discharge any firearms on Sunday except within the hours of 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., excepting the duly licensed and bonded private shooting preserves, including semiwild preserves.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:
A. 
Any duly appointed law officer in the course of his or her official duty.
B. 
The use of firearms when necessary for the preservation of human life.
C. 
The use of firearms when hunting in conformity with the applicable laws and regulations of the State of New Jersey.
D. 
Veterinary use of tranquilizer guns.
E. 
Veterinary use of firearms for the purpose of euthanasia.
The West Amwell Township Police Department shall be the public agency designated to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The Township reserves the right to seek an injunction to enjoin any activity in violation of this chapter. The Township further reserves the right to seek all reasonable litigation costs and reasonable attorney fees and all costs of any corrective action taken to remedy damages done to its properties.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than $100 or more than $1,250, a term of imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days, or any combination thereof.