This chapter shall be known as the "Firearms
Discharge Ordinance of the Town of South Berwick."
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
FIREARM
Any instrument used in the propulsion of pellet, shot, slug,
or bullet by the action of gunpowder exploded or released within it.
SHOTGUN
A smooth-bore gun, single- or double-barreled, pump action
or semi-automatic, and usually breach loaded.
It shall be unlawful to discharge a firearm within or into the Firearms Public Safety Zone described in §
73-3B of this chapter.
The following discharges are exempted from §
73-4, Unlawful discharge:
A. Discharge by law enforcement officers in the lawful
performance of their duties.
B. Discharge of a shotgun by a person properly licensed
during legal hunting/trapping season of wild animals and birds. A
.22 caliber handgun may be used by a licensed trapper during legal
trapping season.
C. Discharge at military events, including exercises,
funerals, or reviews.
D. Discharge at ceremonial or memorial events.
E. Discharge for lawful defense/protection of one's self,
family, or property.
If any person legally wounds a wild animal outside
the Firearms Public Safety Zone, that person may pursue that animal
in the Firearms Public Safety Zone and kill the animal with any firearm
without violating this chapter, provided that the authorization to
pursue such animal into the Firearms Public Safety Zone was obtained
first from the South Berwick Police Department.
Any officer of the South Berwick Police Department
and any other duly authorized state or county law enforcement officer
shall enforce this chapter.
Upon adoption, the Town Council shall make reasonable
efforts to assure adequate public notice of the existence of this
chapter. Signs shall be placed on roads entering the Town of South
Berwick, at or near the Town line. However, it is not a defense to
enforcement of this chapter that a person did not see a sign or otherwise
get actual notice of the existence of the chapter.