(A) No person, except authorized law enforcement personnel, shall, within the village limits, fire or discharge any firearm (defined, for the purposes of this section, as any device, by whatever name known, which is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas or escape of gas coil spring, elastic material), or crossbows, common or compound, bows, speargun or air gun, except under the circumstances listed below:
(1) When within an OSHA and NRA approved indoor range;
(2) When at a shotgun event sponsored by a not-for-profit organization and when in compliance with the restrictions below.
(a) Events must be held with strict safety requirements.
(b) Each site at which such events are planned shall apply to the Chief of Police of the village for permission to conduct the event. An application form as provided by the Chief of Police shall be filed no less than 30 days prior to the event, submitted with the following documents:
1. A diagram of the shotgun event site indicating the direction of shotgun fire, the dimensions of the backstop and the distances between the firing line and the clear area perimeter to the left, right and behind the backstop; and
2. A certificate of liability insurance for the shotgun event issued to the shotgun event venue in the amount of $1,000,000.
(c) No more than eight events may be held at one location per calendar year.
(d) Each site at which such events are planned must furnish the Chief of Police with a schedule of proposed shoots and the name of the individual from the site organization who will be present during each event and responsible for compliance with regulations. Any changes occurring after the filing of said schedule shall be provided to the Chief of Police no less than three days in advance.
(e) Shooting at any such event shall not begin prior to 12:00 noon and shall end by 5:00 p.m.
(f) Shotguns shall not be fired in the direction of a highway, road, bike path or building, which is less than 500 feet from the target.
(g) A proper backstop, which completely absorbs the shot, shall be erected beyond the target area, ten feet wide by seven feet high.
(h) The entire area between the firing point and backstop shall be marked off and protected so as to prohibit participants, observers and others from entering said area.
(i) Only target loads, also known as light loads, shall be used with no more than 3.25 dram equivalent of black powder and only #7-1/2 or smaller shot in each shell.
(j) Shells shall be provided by sponsor one at a time at firing line.
(k) Shotguns not in use shall be placed within a gun case or dismantled.
(l) No intoxicated person shall be allowed to discharge a shotgun at these events.
(B) Crossbows, common or compound bows, spearguns and air guns may be discharged within the village limits under the following conditions:
(1) On one’s own property or the property of another with written permission from all of the property owners; and
(2) Weapon is not discharged in the direction of a highway, road, bike path, residence or business that is less than 200 yards from the target.
(Prior Code, § 13-214) (Ord. 1635, passed 2-6-2012; Ord. 1682, passed 7-15-2013) Penalty, see § 130.99
Cross-reference:
Unlawful use of weapons, see § 134.01