<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 46-2. - Discharge of firearms.</div>
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               (a)
               
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               <span class="ital">Definitions.</span> In this section:
               
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               (1)
               
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               <span class="ital">"Covered structure"</span> means:
               
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               a.
               
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               An occupied structure; or
               
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               b.
               
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               A residence, business, house of worship, educational facility, park facility, or any
               other public gathering facility, regardless of whether these structures are occupied.
               
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               (2)
               
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               <span class="ital">"Firearm"</span> means a device designed or used to expel a projectile using an explosive charge as
               a propellant, such as a handgun, shotgun, rifle, or cannon.
               
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               (b)
               
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               <span class="ital">In general.</span> No person may discharge a firearm:
               
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               (1)
               
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               Carelessly and heedlessly, so as to endanger any person or property;
               
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               (2)
               
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               While appreciably impaired by an impairing substance, such as alcohol or a Schedule
               I controlled substance listed in G.S. 90-89;
               
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               (3)
               
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               On, from, or across any public street, highway, or right-of-way;
               
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               (4)
               
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               On the property of another without having permission from a person who owns or otherwise
               controls such property at the time of the discharge;
               
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               (5)
               
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               In a manner causing the projectile to enter the property of another without having
               permission from a person who owns or otherwise controls such property at the time
               of the discharge; or
               
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               (6)
               
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               Within 300 feet of a covered structure located on a parcel other than the parcel from
               which the firearm was discharged, which shall be measured from the point of discharge
               to the actual physical structure of a covered structure.
               
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               (c)
               
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               <span class="ital">Exceptions.</span>
               
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               (1)
               
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               <span class="ital">General exceptions.</span> Subsection (b) shall not apply to the discharge of a firearm:
               
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               a.
               
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               By a person in defense of person, animal, or property, including a person protecting
               a person, animal or property against any dangerous or destructive animal;
               
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               b.
               
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               By a person acting pursuant to lawful directions of law enforcement officers;
               
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               c.
               
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               By a person hunting birds or animals in compliance with Chapter 113, Subchapter IV
               of the North Carolina General Statutes; or
               
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               d.
               
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               By law enforcement officers or members of the armed forces acting in the line of duty,
               including for training purposes.
               
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               (2)
               
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               <span class="ital">Distance exceptions.</span> Subsection (b)(6) shall not apply to the discharge of a firearm:
               
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               a.
               
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               At a shooting range or other training facility operated by a law enforcement agency;
               or
               
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               b.
               
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               By a person performing in an historical ceremony or commemorative function in which
               such discharge does not involve the release of projectiles.
               
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               (d)
               
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               <span class="ital">Applicability.</span> This section shall apply in areas of the county not in the corporate limits of any
               municipality.
               
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               (e)
               
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               <span class="ital">Conflict with other laws.</span> The section shall not be construed as altering any other provision of any other ordinance
               or law, such as the Cabarrus County Development Ordinance, Article II,<a href="" data-chunk-id="PTIICOOR_CH30EN" class="section-link" data-product-id="12658"> Chapter 30</a> of the Code of Ordinances (governing noise), or state firearms laws.
               
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               (f)
               
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               <span class="ital">Enforcement.</span> A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.
               
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            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 7-3-67, Â§Â§ 1â€”4;
               <a class="ordinance-link" href="" data-product-id="12658" data-ordinance-id="1170753">
                  Ord. No. 2021-17
                  </a>
               , 6-21-21;
               <a class="ordinance-link" href="" data-product-id="12658" data-ordinance-id="1170756">
                  Ord. No. 2021-34
                  </a>
               , 12-20-21)
               
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            <p class="refcross0" block_type="hang"><b>Cross referenceâ€” </b>
               Possession, transportation and transfer of dangerous weapons during state of emergency,<a href="" data-chunk-id="PTIICOOR_CH22CIEM_ARTIIISTEM_S22-58POTRTRDAWESU" class="section-link" data-product-id="12658"> Â§ 22-58</a>; carrying concealed weapons,<a href="" data-chunk-id="PTIICOOR_CH46OFMIPR_S46-4POWECOPREX" class="section-link" data-product-id="12658"> Â§ 46-4</a>; firearms in parks prohibited,<a href="" data-chunk-id="PTIICOOR_CH50ACLIPA_ARTIINGE_S50-4WEEXALBEDRDASU" class="section-link" data-product-id="12658"> Â§ 50-4</a>.
               
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            <p class="refmanual0" block_type="hang">
               <span class="bold">Special acts referenceâ€”</span>Centerfire rifles, pt. I, art. VII.
               
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            <p class="refstatelaw0" block_type="hang"><b>State Law referenceâ€” </b>
               Authority to regulate, restrict or prohibit the discharge of firearms, G.S. 153A-129;
               authority to regulate the use of pellet guns, G.S. 153A-130.
               
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