<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 9-1. - Discharge of firearms prohibited.</div>
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            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Near residences.</span> It is unlawful for any person to discharge a rifle, shotgun, handgun or any firearm
               within 100 yards of any regularly occupied residence not owned by them without written
               consent of the regular occupant and owner of such residence which the person shall
               carry at all times relevant to this section.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (b)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">On or across roadways.</span> It is unlawful for any person to discharge a rifle, handgun, shotgun or any firearm
               on or across any public road, highway, or public vehicular area.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (c)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Firing near school.</span> It is unlawful to discharge a center fire rifle within one-half mile of any school
               unless such discharge occurs with at least 200 yards of woodlands or forest intervening
               between such discharge and the school.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (d)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Firing at targets.</span> It is unlawful for any person to discharge a rifle, handgun, shotgun or other firearm
               into a target unless (i) the point of discharging the rifle, handgun, shotgun or other
               firearm and the target are located 300 yards or more from a regularly occupied residence;
               (ii) a backstop is located behind the target sufficient to stop all projectiles shot
               from the firing line to the target; and (iii) the person discharging the rifle, handgun,
               shotgun or other firearm into the target has on their person written consent for the
               activity from all persons who are the regular occupant of the residence and from the
               owner of the residence if a different person or persons from the regular occupant
               of the residence located within 300 yards of a firing line and target.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="p0">
               A person that was discharging firearms into targets on their property before April
               16, 2007 is permitted to continue to discharge a firearm into targets on their property
               even if doing so at a later date does not conform to this section or amendment to
               this section, provided that there has been no substantial change in use of the person's
               property and the person documents the discharge of firearms into targets on their
               property before April 16, 2007.
               </p>
            <p class="incr0">
               (e)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Firing when not in woodlands.</span> When firing a center fire rifle into any area of Currituck County not forested or
               woodlands or without a backstop that keeps projectiles from leaving the property on
               which the center fire rifle is fired, it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge
               or fire said rifle unless the level of the rifle be at least ten feet off the ground,
               or in a stand which is at least eight feet high, or when standing on the top of a
               dog box situate in the bed of a truck when said dog box is at least two feet in height.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (f)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Forest or woodlands.</span> For purposes of this section, forest or woodlands is defined as a large and thick
               collection of growing trees, preserving some or all of its primitive wildness and
               usually having game or wild animals in it.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (g)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Impairing substances.</span> It is unlawful to discharge any rifle, handgun, shotgun or any other firearm while
               under the influence of any impairing substance.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (h)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Exception</span>. This section shall not apply to the following:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               The use of firearms in the defense of persons or property;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               The use of firearms by law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               The use of firearms in an indoor firing range;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (4)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               The use of a firearm for the purpose of shooting or killing any dangerous animal or
               reptile;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (5)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               The use of a firearm to take birds or animals pursuant to G.S. Chapter 113, Subchapter
               IV;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (6)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               The use of a firearm not involving the release of projectiles at a historical or ceremonial
               function: or
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (7)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               The use of a firearm at school sanctioned instructional or recreational activities
               intended to further the use safe firearms practices.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 1-5-76, Â§Â§ 1â€”3; Ord. of 2-19-96; Ord. of 4-16-07; Ord. of 8-1-16, pt. I)
               </p>
            <p class="refcross0" block_type="hang"><b>Cross referenceâ€” </b>
               Transportation or possession of dangerous weapons and substances during state of emergency,
               <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH6EMMA_ARTIIISTEM_S6-63DAWESU" class="section-link" data-product-id="12419">Â§ 6-63</a>; loaded firearms prohibited at Whalehead Boat Ramp, Â§ 10-91.
               </p></div>