(A) Discharge of firearms, generally. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a gun, rifle, pistol or other firearm within the village without reasonable regard for the safety of persons or property.
(B) Restrictions regarding discharge of firearms; exceptions.
(1) Restrictions. No person shall, without the written permission of the current owner or lawful occupant of such property, discharge a firearm within 300 feet of a dwelling or other building or structure, which is designed to be occupied by human beings. Such written permission must be dated, shall be valid for no longer than one year after its issuance and must be displayed upon the request of any law enforcement officer with authority to enforce this section.
(2) Exceptions. This section shall not be construed as prohibiting discharge of a firearm when used:
(a) In defense of person or property;
(b) To take birds or animals pursuant to G.S. Chapter 113, Subchapter IV, Game Laws;
(c) Pursuant to lawful directions of law enforcement officers;
(d) By persons lawfully engaged in pest control or the taking of dangerous animals;
(e) At shooting ranges as authorized and approved pursuant to zoning permit of the unified development ordinances of Forsyth County, as adopted by the village;
(f) By members of the armed forces acting in the line of duty;
(g) At historic ceremonial or commemoration functions held for such purpose provided in no event shall live ammunition be used or discharged; or
(h) Permitted land uses in the Village of Clemmons Unified Development Ordinances.
(C) Possession of firearms prohibited in certain places. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or carry, or to fire or discharge any gun, rifle, pistol or other firearm in any building or appurtenant premises owned or operated by the village (whether within or outside the corporate limits), or on or in any public school building or grounds within the village, or on or in any property within the village operated by or under the control of the Forsyth Municipal Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
(D) Exclusions.
(1) This section shall not apply to an officer lawfully discharging his or her duty, or to a watchman or other person specifically authorized to carry firearms on such premises while acting lawfully and within the scope of his or her authority; nor shall it prohibit the lawful possession or carrying of firearms on the public streets.
(2) None of the provisions of this section shall be construed so as to prohibit law enforcement officers from discharging firearms within the corporate limits of the village on any firing range maintained for the training of law enforcement officers when such firing is conducted for training purposes under the supervision and direction of an officer in charge of the training program.
(E) Criminal penalty. If any person shall violate this section, he or she shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $500, subject to the provisions in G.S. § 14-4.
(Ord. 89-06, passed 9-1-89; Am. Ord. 93-2, passed 3-15-93; Am. Ord. 96-05, passed 3-11-96; Am. Ord. 97-9, passed 3-24-97; Am. Ord. 97-14, passed 7-14-97; Am. Ord. 2004-07, passed 11-22-04; Am. Ord. 2013-12, passed 10-28-13; Am. Ord. 2022-03, passed 4-25-22
Penalty, see § 10.99