(A) Subject to the exceptions listed in division (B), it is unlawful for a person to discharge any pistol, rifle, gun, or other type of firearm within the city or within the boundary lines of any city-owned property that is located beyond the city limits.
(B) The prohibition listed above in division (A) does not apply to the following situations:
(1) The discharge of a firearm at a shooting gallery or range that is operating in compliance with the Asheboro Zoning Ordinance.
(2) The discharge of a firearm by a sworn law enforcement officer.
(3) The discharge of a firearm by a person in self-defense, in the lawful defense of others, in the lawful defense of property, pursuant to lawful directions of law enforcement officers, and/or pursuant to a duty established by federal, state, or local statute or ordinance, specifically including by way of illustration and not limitation the discharge of a firearm by a duly appointed animal control officer or his or her designee.
(4) Upon receipt of written permission from the Chief of Police or his or her designee, blank cartridges may be discharged during historical reenactments, military or similar displays, or during theatrical, athletic, or like performances. Such written permission from the Chief of Police or his or her designee cannot be granted unless and until the applicant establishes that the proposed activity for which the use of blank cartridges is requested will occur with the consent of the property owner and in compliance with the city's noise ordinance and zoning ordinance.
(5) A person 21 years of age or older may use an exploding device or similar scare device for the purpose of dispersing birds, fowl, or other wildlife on the condition that the device does not have the capacity to physically harm such bird, fowl, or other wildlife and on the additional condition that the use of the device conforms with all federal and state laws as well as the regulations adopted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The person utilizing such a device shall exercise due care in the use of the device so as not to cause injury to persons or damage to another person's property. Prior to the utilization of such a device, the person using the device shall notify his or her adjacent property owners (or lessees) and the Asheboro Police Department of the intended use of such a device, including the location, the date, and the approximate time of day of such use. Such a device shall not be used between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on any day of the week.
(6) The use of a firearm for hunting ducks and dark geese (includes Canada geese and white-fronted geese) is permitted at Lake Reese when such hunting is undertaken in compliance with Chapter 91 of the Code of Asheboro.
(C) Subject to the exceptions listed in division (D), it is unlawful for a person to shoot or project any arrow, shot, pellet, stone, rock, or other hard substance by means of a bow, air rifle, pellet gun, paintball gun, popgun, slingshot, bean shooter, or other similar type of device or contrivance within the city or within the boundary lines of any city-owned property that is located beyond the city limits.
(D) The prohibition listed above in division (C) is subject to the following exceptions:
(1) Archery is permitted at an archery range that is operating in compliance with the Asheboro Zoning Ordinance.
(2) The discharge of air rifles, pellet guns, paintball guns, and similar devices is permitted at shooting galleries or ranges that are operating in compliance with the Asheboro Zoning Ordinance.
(3) Activities undertaken by a person in self-defense, in the lawful defense of others, in the lawful defense of property, pursuant to lawful directions of law enforcement officers, and/or pursuant to a duty established by federal, state, or local statute or ordinance, specifically including by way of illustration and not limitation the use of a device that would otherwise fall within the scope of division (C) by a duly appointed animal control officer or his or her designee.
(E) A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.
('69 Code, § 14-3) (Ord., passed 9-29-49; Am. Ord., passed 8-6-59; Am. Ord. 11 ORD 3-09, passed 3-5-09; Am. Ord. 47 ORD 10-10, passed 10-7-10; Am. Ord. 19 ORD 8-14, passed 8-7-14; Am. Ord. 36 ORD 12-21, passed 12-9-21) Penalty, see § 130.99