No minor under 16 years of age shall discharge any firearm or dangerous
device within the limits of the Town of Simsbury except in the presence of
and under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian of such minor or of
a qualified instructor on an authorized range, and except that minors between
the ages of 12 and 16 years of age may discharge firearms while hunting in
accordance with Section 235 of Public Act 872 of the 1971 General Assembly.
A landowner may extend to others, by written consent, the right to use
his property for hunting, target practice or other purposes requiring the
use of firearms or bow and arrow, provided that the area so used shall be
a distance of 500 feet from any buildings other than those of the owner.
This chapter shall not apply to any person who shall discharge any firearm
or dangerous device in reasonable defense of his person or property or in
the performance of any legal duty, nor shall it apply to land used in conjunction
with a duly organized rifle, fish and game, gun or archery club in an area
thereon approved by the Chief of Police or to land used by the State Police
as an outdoor shooting range.
For the purpose of this chapter, a "dangerous device" shall be any air
rifle or pistol, BB gun, slingshot, crossbow, bow and arrow or any other device
capable of projecting an object with sufficient force so as to cause injury
to persons or domestic animals or to cause damage to property.
[Amended 1-8-1990]
A violation of any provision of this chapter by any persons 16 years
of age or over or by a parent or legal guardian of such person knowingly permitting
such violation by a minor under 16 years of age shall be an infraction as
provided for in Connecticut General Statutes Sections 51-164m and 51-164n.
Pursuant to General Statutes Section 51-164p, each such violation shall be
punishable by a fine of not more than $90.