Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Attachment E <br /> <br />• Sec. 24-3. - Regulating the discharge of firearms. <br />o <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 their <br />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 projectile by <br />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 backstop <br />adequate to stop the projectile. This subsection shall not apply to trapshooting, skeet shooting, and <br />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 the safety <br />of others. <br /> (e) It is unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm in any manner that causes the projectile to leave <br />the property on which it is discharged. This subsection shall not apply when the person discharging the <br />firearm has written permission for such activity from the person on whose property the projectile comes <br />to rest. The document demonstrating written permission must be immediately available at the time of <br />the 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 alcohol or any <br />other impairing substance. As used in this paragraph, an impairing substance is defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. <br />§ 20-4.01. A conforming alcohol screening device may be used to detect the presence of alcohol. A <br />conforming alcohol screening device is any device listed in the National Highway Traffic Safety <br />Administration's 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. An investigating <br />officer may ascertain the consumption of an impairing substance or any level of impairment in any <br />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 of up to <br />$500.00. A violation of this Section may subject the violator to a civil penalty of up to $500.00. All <br />assessed penalties may be recovered in any manner authorized by law and, if not paid within 30 days, <br />may be recovered in the nature of debt. <br />(Res. 2016-078, eff. 12-5-2016) <br /> <br />22