§ 22-10. Discharge of firearms.

No person shall discharge or shoot a gun, air rifle, air pistol or other kind of firearm or similar implement within the city limits; provided that nothing in this section or any other city ordinance shall be construed to prevent a person over 21 years of age from using a shotgun, caliber to be either 12, 16, 20 or .410 gauge, utilizing shot no larger than No. 8 upon property owned by such person and upon the issuance of a permit by the chief or his designate for the purpose of firing upon pigeons, poisonous reptiles, starlings, squirrels or rats (when not in violation of state law). The permit shall remain in effect for a period of not more than 12 days, whereupon, such permit shall automatically expire and the permit shall be renewed for only six times during any one calendar year; shall authorize firing during daylight hours on weekdays only upon premises owned or occupied by the applicant or person approved by the chief of police or his designate; and shall be revocable by the chief of police or his designate upon violation of its conditions or upon complaint that the permit holder is not exercising his privilege in a careful and prudent manner and with due regard to life and property. It is provided further that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a police officer from discharging a firearm in the performance of his duty, nor prohibit any person from discharging a firearm in the defense of life or property.

Provided, however, nothing contained in this section shall prevent or prohibit the discharge of firearms for commercial or institutional testing or repair purposes when such discharge is performed by a person approved by the chief of police and done in a manner and within a facility also approved by the chief of police. Prior to such approval, the chief or his designee shall inspect the device to be utilized for test firing and shall make a determination that such firing, if allowed, will not be a danger to the public and will not create objectionable noise levels on adjacent properties. The chief shall issue a permit upon such approval, which said permit may be revoked at any time should the chief determine that un approved personnel are conducting the test firing or that the device is not operating in a safe manner or is resulting in objectionable noise levels.

(Code 1952, ch. G, art. I, § 9; Ord. of 5-7-07(3))

State law reference

Authority to regulate firearms, G.S. 160A-189; authority to regulate pellet guns, G.S. 160A-190.