(a) Discharge of Firearms Regulated.
(1) Discharge Prohibited.
No person shall fire or discharge any firearm, rifle, spring gun, air gun or pneumatic pellet gun of any description in his/her possession or under his/her control within the Village of Edgar, except as provided in this Section.
(2) Exceptions.
The following shall not constitute a violation of Subsection (a) above:
a. The maintenance and use of duly supervised rifle or pistol ranges or shooting galleries authorized by the Village Board, or the firing or discharging of BB air guns or pneumatic pellet guns upon private premises by persons over sixteen (16) or under the direct personal supervision of a parent or legal guardian.
b. A person working for a firm or under a plan authorized by the Village Board to harvest wildlife pursuant to a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources- approved Wildlife Management Program, or engaged in permissible hunting under this Section.
c. The discharge of a firearm by a law enforcement officer or military personnel acting within the line of duty, including but not limited to active operations, training exercises and ceremonies.
d. The discharge of a firearm in defense of human life or the residence or place of business of the person discharging the firearm.
e. The discharge of a firearm at an event, for which the party organizing or promoting such event has obtained a special permit issued by the Village Board or which is part of a veterans commemorative honor event.
(b) Limited Firearms Discharge and Hunting Authorized.
(1) Prohibitions; Wildlife Management Programs.
Except as provided in Subsection (b)(2) below, the discharge of a firearm for hunting of any kind shall not be allowed within the corporate boundaries of the Village of Edgar to protect the public health and safety. This provision does not apply to persons authorized by or firms hired by the Village of Edgar to conduct wildlife harvests pursuant to DNR-approved Wildlife Management Programs. Open hunting seasons as defined by the Wisconsin Depa1tment of Natural Resources (DNR) shall not be effective within such municipal boundaries, except as provided in Subsections (b)(2) and (d) below.
(2) Limited Firearms Hunting.
Coinciding with the open hunting seasons defined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for hunting geese or deer, the Village Board may authorize the hunting of geese, waterfowl or deer within the Village of Edgar to limit their numbers. In the interest of public safety, permit conditions may include, but not be limited to, limits on numbers of authorized hunters, the use of blinds, and designation of specific locations where the hunting of geese, waterfowl or deer is permitted. The purpose of this hunting exception is to assist in the management of resident geese, waterfowI and deer numbers within the Village of Edgar.
(c) Shooting Into Village Limits. No person located in the territory adjacent to the Village shall discharge any firearm in such manner that the discharge shall enter or fall within the Village of Edgar in a dangerous manner.
(d) Bow Hunting Authorized. Hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow is permitted at the times and in the manner prescribed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the Village of Edgar subject to the following limitations:
(1) Residence Proximity Limitation.
A person may not hunt with a bow and arrow or crossbow within one hundred (100) yards from a building used for human occupancy located on another person's property, unless the owner of the property on which such building is located has authorized the hunter to hunt with a bow and arrow or crossbow within one hundred (100) yards from the residential building.
(2) Arrow Discharge Towards the Ground.
Hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow shall only be permitted from a tree stand or elevated platform, and arrows or bolts shall be discharged toward the ground.
(3) Bow Hunting on Public Property.
Bow hunting shall not be permitted on municipal, school, and public properties except where specifically authorized by the public body in control of such property. Village-owned public properties where hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow is allowed shall be designated by ordinance.
(e) Explosive Devices. No person shall discharge or detonate any dynamite, nitroglycerin or other explosive within the Village of Edgar without first obtaining a permit to do so from the Village Board.
(f) Throwing, Discharging, Projecting and Shooting Prohibited.
(1) Prohibition.
Except as provided in Subsection (d) above, no person shall throw, discharge, project, or shoot any object, BB, pellet, stone, missile or projectile by any means in or onto property owned or possessed by another person or entity without the owner's or possessor's express permission.
(2) Exceptions.
This Subsection shall not apply:
a. To the shooting or discharging of toy arrows or arrows which have a tip made of rubber or similar material.
b. To a supervised archery range approved by the Village Board.
c. Within the interior of a single family dwelling.
d. To private archery practice provided such targets are placed in front of a building or an open agricultural field in such a manner as to prevent stray arrows from crossing or entering adjacent properties.
(g) Paintball Discharge Limited. No person shall on any private property without the express permission of its owner or on any public property (including but not limited to public streets, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, schools, open spaces, recreation facilities or any other public facility and/or grounds) discharge or cause to set off a paintball gun, except as provided as follows:
(1) Business Exclusion.
This Subsection specifically excludes any business engaged in the operation of paintball games operating within the appropriate zoning district in which the discharge of paintball guns is carried out in an approved controlled environment.
(2) Exclusion on Private Property.
This Subsection specifically excludes the operation of a paintball gun on private property contingent upon the use of such paintball device being limited to a target which is protected by an appropriate barrier from other private property and prevents damage to same. Under no circumstance shall paintball guns be permitted to be aimed at other human beings and/or animals; this exclusion applies only to an appropriate target on private property.
(h) Definitions. For purposes of this Section:
(1) Building.
A permanent structure used for human occupancy and includes a manufactured home, as defined in Section 101.91(2), Wis. Stats.
(2) Firearm.
Any instrumentality from or with which a shot, bullet or pellet may be discharged or expelled, regardless of whether the propelling force is provided by air, spring or other similar mechanical device, or gun powder.
(3) Paintball Device.
Any paintball gun/device which is designed or intended to expel a projectile containing paint, ink, or similar material which can cause injury to people or property.
(i) Firearms Club(s) Exceptions. Firearms may be discharged upon the properly zoned grounds of a Village Board-authorized rod & gun club by employees, members, and guests of such rod & gun club. Those using firearms on the premises of the rod & gun club shall be subject to all state laws, other municipal ordinances, and safety rules of the organization regarding the use of firearms on said premises.
State Law Reference: Sections 29.038, 66.0409, and 101.91(2), Wis. Stats.
Cross-Reference: Section 12-1-5, Park Hours.