A. The term "firearm" means any weapon which is capable of or designed to or which may readily be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosion.
B. The term "weapon" means, but shall not be limited to mean, any firearm, any archery equipment, any device used to discharge a projectile either by means of explosion, by force or mechanical means, any sling shot or slings or any device that can hurl or otherwise discharge a projectile.
C. The term "projectile" means, but shall not be limited to mean, any object that is propelled from a firearm or weapon such as a bullet, shell, rocket, grenade, arrow, BB, pellet, paintball, rock or any similar object.
D. No person shall fire or discharge, or cause to be fired or discharged, within the limits of the city any firearm or weapon.
E. No person under the age of 18 shall publicly display a weapon.
F. No person shall alter any federally required orange markings or identification marks on any weapons, toys or other similar items designating such as not a firearm. This restriction applies to any weapon, toy or other similar items which will be displayed in public.
G. This section shall not apply to police officers or soldiers in the discharge of their official duties while in the exercise of reasonable care; nor to a person using firearms or weapons in necessary self-defense; nor to shooting clubs or other businesses or operations who have a fixed place of business within the city and whereby they have taken appropriate measures to ensure that there is no danger to any person whatsoever; nor to hunting where allowed by Chapter 6.20.
H. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of one hundred fifty dollars for a first offense. Any person who commits a second or subsequent violation of this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than three hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars. Fines may be imposed on a per violation basis.
I. This section shall not prohibit any activity explicitly allowed elsewhere in Columbus Municipal Code. (Ord. 32-2023 § 4, 2023; Ord. 13-2013 § 1, 2013; Prior code § 18-14)