(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm, except as provided in division (B) of this section and except when legally hunting, within the village. Hunting shall be permitted in the village when done legally and in accordance with federal and state hunting laws, rules and regulations.
(B) (1) Discharging a firearm shall be permitted upon written approval from the Chief of Police and the following criteria are met:
(a) The discharge of firearms must be on a parcel of land larger than five acres and owned by the person requesting the permission.
(b) The discharge of firearms is only permitted between 9:00 a.m. and one hour before sundown.
(c) The Chief of Police has unfettered discretion to grant or deny the permission to discharge firearms even if the criteria in divisions (B)(1)(a) and (B)(1)(b) are met. The Chief may deny permission if, after inspecting the property, the Chief determines there is any safety issue.
(2) This exception is only available for the use of the property owners. This exception is not available if the permission is used for members of the general public or members of an organized club or similar organization.
(3) The Chief, in his or her sole discretion, may revoke the permission if the Chief determines this section is not followed or that the permission presents a safety hazard. The revocation of permission shall be in writing.
(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm, whether or not legally hunting, upon or over a public road or highway in the village, to discharge a firearm within 500 feet of a residence, business or other potentially occupied building, whether or not legally hunting.
(D) It shall be unlawful for any person without the written permit or proclamation of the Chief of Police within the village, to throw, cast or discharge any squib, rocket, firework, cannon cracker or other thing charged with explosives, or to cast any fireball or other thing charged with spirits or other combustible material.
(E) This section does not apply when firearms are used in self-defense or by law enforcement in furtherance of their official duties or when the Chief of Police gives written authorization to discharge a firearm as part of a celebration or ceremony.
(F) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and shall be subject to the penalty provided in § 130.99.
(Ord. 26, 1997, passed 11-13-1997; Am. Ord. 35, 2005, passed 2-9-2006; Am. Ord. 9, 2007, passed 8-9-2007)