§ 21-81. Discharge of air gun, gravel shooter, pneumatic gun, etc.

(a)

Any person who shall, anywhere within the city, discharge shot, stones, gravel, bullets or any similar thing from a gravel shooter, air gun, pneumatic gun or other similar implement shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor, unless otherwise permitted by this section.

(b)

Subsection (a) shall not prohibit the use of a pneumatic gun at a facility approved for shooting ranges, or on or within private property with permission of the owner or legal possessor thereof when conducted with reasonable care to prevent a projectile from crossing the bounds of the property.

(c)

Subsection (a) shall not prohibit the establishment of commercial or private areas designated for use of paintball guns for recreational use in accordance with all applicable requirements. Equipment designed to protect the face and ears shall be provided to participants at such recreational areas, and signs shall be posted to warn against entry into the paintball area by persons who are unprotected or unaware that paintball guns are in use.

(d)

As used in this section, the term, "pneumatic gun" means any implement, designed as a gun, that will expel a BB or a pellet by action of pneumatic pressure. The term "pneumatic gun" includes a paintball gun that expels by action of pneumatic pressure plastic balls filled with paint for the purpose of marking the point of impact.

(e)

All uses of a pneumatic gun otherwise allowed under this section by a minor below the age of sixteen (16) years shall be under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or other adult supervision approved by the minor's parent or guardian.

(f)

All minors, when permitted by a parent or guardian to use a pneumatic gun, shall be responsible for obeying all laws, regulations, and restrictions governing such use.

(g)

The training of minors in the use of pneumatic guns shall be done only under direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or a certified instructor. Training of minors above the age of sixteen (16) may also be done without direct supervision if approved by the minor's instructor, with the permission of and under the responsibility of a parent or guardian, and in compliance with all requirements of this section. Instructors may be certified by the National Rifle Association, a state or federal agency that has developed a certification program, any service of the Department of Defense, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, American Legion, 4-H, the Civilian Marksmanship Program, Boy or Girl Scouts, USA Shooting, and similar groups approved by the chief of police, or any person authorized by these entities to certify instructors.

(h)

All training and shooting shall take place either indoors at a range deemed safe for such use by the minor's certified instructor, or outdoors at a facility meeting the requirements of subsection (b) above.

(Code 1956, Tit. XXIII, Ch. 4, § 7; Ord. No. 36814, § 1, 8-16-04; Ord. No. 37676, § 1, 2-5-07; Ord. No. 39157, 7-18-11)

(Code 1956, Tit. XXIII, Ch. 4, § 7; Ord. No. 36814, § 1, 8-16-04; Ord. No. 37676, § 1, 2-5-07; Ord. No. 39157, 7-18-11)