Sec. 11-55. Definition of firearm and air gun; possession of firearms and air guns by minors; forfeiture of weapon, penalties.
   (a)   Definitions:
   (1)   Firearm means any loaded or unloaded handgun, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun or other weapon which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, except that it does not include a firearm in permanently inoperable condition.
   (2)   Air gun means any loaded or unloaded handgun, pistol, revolver, rifle, BB gun or pellet gun which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of compressed air or other gasses, except that it does not include an air gun in permanently inoperable condition.
   (b)   A minor who is unaccompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian, or a certified hunter safety instructor or certified firearms safety instructor acting with the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian shall not knowingly carry or possess on the minor’s person, within the minor’s immediate control, or in or on any means of transportation a firearm or air gun in any place that is open to the public or on any street or highway or on any private property, except private property owned or leased by the minor or the minor’s parent, grandparent or guardian.
   (c)   This section does not apply to a minor who is fourteen (14), fifteen (15), sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age and who is engaged in any of the following:
   (1)   Lawful hunting or shooting events or marksmanship practice at established ranges or other areas where the discharge of a firearm or air gun is not prohibited.
   (2)   Lawful transportation of an unloaded firearm or air gun for the purpose of lawful hunting.
   (3)   Lawful transportation of an unloaded firearm between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for the purpose of shooting events or marksmanship practice at established ranges or other areas where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited.
   (4)   Any activity that is related to the production of crops, livestock, poultry products or ratites or storage of agricultural commodities.
   (d)   If the minor is in possession of a firearm or air gun and unaccompanied as required by subsection (b) of this section, a peace officer shall seize the firearm or air gun at the time the violation occurs. The law enforcement agency responsible for the seizure of firearms as provided herein, shall hold the firearm until the charges have been adjudicated or otherwise disposed of.
   (e)   Any person who violates subsection (b) is guilty of a class two misdemeanor, and in addition to any other disposition authorized by Title 8 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, the court may:
   (1)   Order the suspension or revocation of the minor's driver's license. If the minor does not have a driver's license at the time of adjudication, the court may direct that the department of transportation not issue a driver's license to the minor until the minor reaches eighteen (18) years of age.
   (2)   Order that the firearm or air gun seized pursuant to subsection (d) be forfeited and sold, destroyed or otherwise properly disposed of.
   (f)   Any parent or guardian of a minor who permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor to carry or possess a firearm or air gun in violation of subsection (b) is guilty of a class two misdemeanor.
   (g)   This section is supplemental to any other law imposing a criminal penalty for the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon. A minor who violates this section may be prosecuted and convicted for any other criminal conduct involving the use or exhibition of the deadly weapon.
(Ord. No. 7933, § 2, 10-26-92; Ord. No. 8164, § 1, 11-15-93; Ord. No. 9416, § 1, 7-10-00)