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17 <br /> The Firearms Safety Committee met multiple times from June through October and developed <br /> recommendations. The proposed recommendations include (see attachment for full listing): <br /> • An amendment to the Code of Ordinances that includes provisions prohibiting the <br /> discharge of firearms while an individual is impaired, maintaining adequate backstops <br /> for projectiles, and requires discharged projectiles to remain on the property on which <br /> they are discharged. <br /> • A recommendation that the BOCC direct the Department of Social Services and/or <br /> Health Department to develop and distribute educational material on gun safety. <br /> • A recommendation that the County collaborate with public and private organizations to <br /> increase firearms safety awareness through training and distribution of safety materials. <br /> The Firearms Safety Committee by consensus unanimously recommended the firearms safety <br /> education and awareness items. The Committee voted 6-1 in favor of recommending the <br /> proposed ordinance. <br /> Section. 24-3. - Regulating the Discharge of Firearms. <br /> (a) This Section is enacted pursuant to the authority of N.C.G.S. 153A-129. This Section <br /> shall be interpreted in accordance with any sections of the North Carolina General <br /> Statutes which, by their terms, limit the authority of the County to regulate the discharge <br /> of firearms. <br /> (b) Firearm as referenced herein shall mean any handgun, shotgun, or rifle which expels a <br /> projectile by the ignition of gunpowder or by other explosive reaction. <br /> (c) It is unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm except into a natural or constructed <br /> backstop adequate to stop the projectile. This subsection shall not apply to <br /> trapshooting, skeet shooting, and sporting clays when such activities are undertaken <br /> through use of a shotgun. <br /> (d) It is unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm carelessly or heedlessly in disregard <br /> for the safety of others. <br /> (e) It is unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm in any manner that causes the <br /> projectile to leave the property on which it is discharged. This subsection shall not apply <br /> when the person discharging the firearm has written permission for such activity from <br /> the person on whose property the projectile comes to rest. The document <br /> demonstrating written permission must be immediately available at the time of the <br /> discharge and shall be provided to any investigating officer. <br /> (f) It is unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm after that person has consumed <br /> alcohol or any other impairing substance. As used in this paragraph, an impairing <br /> substance is defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. §20-4.01. A conforming alcohol screening <br /> device may be used to detect the presence of alcohol. A conforming alcohol screening <br /> device is any device listed in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's <br /> Conforming Products List of Evidential Breath Alcohol Measurement Devices as <br /> published in the Federal Register and as that list may be amended from time to time. <br /> An investigating officer may ascertain the consumption of an impairing substance or <br /> any level of impairment in any lawful manner. <br /> (g) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as prohibiting the discharge of a firearm: <br /> (1) When used for lawful hunting activities pursuant to Chapter 113, Subchapter IV; or <br /> (2) When used in defense of person or property; or <br /> (3) When used pursuant to lawful directions of law-enforcement officers. <br /> (h) A violator of this Section shall be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor punishable by a fine <br /> of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00). A violation of this Section may subject the <br />