As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
FIREARM
Any instrument which discharges or is designed to discharge
any projectile or missile and which is used or is designed to be used
as a weapon or for target practice or competition, including but not
limited to any pistol, rifle, cannon, shotgun, bow, slingshot, dart
gun or blowgun.
No person shall discharge any firearm within
the Town, except:
A. A law enforcement officer or member of the military
service while in the performance of his duties in accordance with
law;
B. A person firing blank ammunition during or in preparation
or practice for a legally sanctioned parade or celebration;
C. A person discharging a firearm in defense or protection
of life and property in accordance with law;
D. A person discharging a pistol or rifle to destroy
an injured or maimed animal in accordance with law;
E. A person discharging a firearm at a firing range or shooting gallery permitted by Chapter
260, Zoning, provided that such person shall possess a permit therefor issued by the Town Council;
F. A person discharging a blunt projectile from a slingshot
or discharging a target arrow from a bow classified as not more than
40 pounds pull, during inanimate target practice or competition;
G. In the geographic area west of RI Route 2, so-called,
discharge of a shotgun:
(1) By a person against a rodent or other varmint in order
to protect crops, gardens, domestic animals or other property; or
(2) While hunting, by an owner on his land, a resident
on land where he resides, or any person with the written permission
of or in the company of an owner on such owner's land or a resident
on land where he resides, provided that in no event shall such shotgun
be discharged within 500 feet of any building or any public highway.
Violations of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable as provided in Chapter
1, Article
III, of the Code of the Town of East Greenwich.