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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 shall be <br />interpreted in accordance with any sections of the North Carolina General Statutes which, by <br />their terms, limit the authority of the County to regulate the discharge 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 trapshooting, skeet <br />shooting, and sporting clays when such activities are undertaken through use of a shotgun. <br />(d) It is unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm carelessly or heedlessly in disregard for <br />the safety of others. <br />(e) It is unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm in any manner that causes the projectile <br />to leave the property on which it is discharged. This subsection shall not apply when the person <br />discharging the firearm has written permission for such activity from the person on whose <br />property the projectile comes to rest. The document demonstrating written permission must <br />be immediately available at the time of the discharge and shall be provided to any investigating <br />officer. <br />(f) It is unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm after that person has consumed alcohol <br />or any other impairing substance. As used in this paragraph, an impairing substance is defined <br />in N.C. Gen. Stat. §20 -4.01. A conforming alcohol screening device may be used to detect the <br />presence of alcohol. A conforming alcohol screening device is any device listed in the National <br />Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Conforming Products List of Evidential Breath Alcohol <br />Measurement Devices as published in the Federal Register and as that list may be amended <br />from time to time. An investigating officer may ascertain the consumption of an impairing <br />substance or 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 />