Beaumont Municipal Code Ch. 9.30 Dangerous Weapons

Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, no person shall, within the City limits, shoot, fire or discharge, nor cause or permit to be shot, fired or discharged:

A. Any rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol, cannon or other firearm of any kind;

B. Any air gun, air rifle or air pistol;

C. Any spring gun, spring rifle or spring pistol;

D. Any BB gun, pellet gun or any carbon dioxide or gas operated gun;

E. Any crossbow of any type, compound bow, or a bow more than three feet in length;

F. A sling for the purpose of throwing a rock, ball bearing or other missile;

G. Paint ball rifle or gun, or any spot marker rifle or gun.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 3-19-02)

The prohibitions set forth in this Chapter shall not apply to any of the following:

A. Peace Officers and military forces engaged in the performance of their duties;

B. Lawful self-defense, and the lawful defense of others and property;

C. Shooting ranges or other structures, facilities or clubs which are used for shooting or archery in the context of a recreational or sporting activity;

D. Starter and timing guns firing blank cartridges in shows, sporting events, athletic contests or other public performances, or signal cannons that do not discharge projectiles;

E. Minors engaged in lawful activities involving the use of dangerous weapons provided (i) such minor is under the direct supervision and control of a parent, guardian or responsible adult, or (ii) is at least 16 years of age and has the prior written consent of his or her parent or legal guardian, or (iii) the minor has the prior written consent of his or her parent or legal guardian and is on lands owned or lawfully possessed by his or her parent or guardian.

F. Property owners possessing a permit issued by the Chief of Police for the purpose of varmint, bird and other pest control for which no other reasonable means are available, upon application therefor and the payment of a fee, the amount of which shall be established from time-to-time by resolution or minute order of the City Council. Such permit shall apply for a specified period of time to a specific parcel or parcels of land, as designated by the Chief of Police, and he is authorized to impose such other restrictions and conditions as may be necessary to protect the public health, safety and general welfare. Before any permit shall be effective, the applicant/permittee shall obtain and maintain, during the term of the permit, a policy of general liability insurance, in a form and amount satisfactory to the City Attorney, which names the City as an additional insured. Additionally, each permit shall include a provision obligating the permittee to unconditionally defend, indemnify and hold the City harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liability, obligations and expenses (including attorneys' fees) for injuries to any person or property that result directly or indirectly from the exercise of rights granted under the permit. No permittee shall have a vested right to a permit, and the Chief may, in his sole discretion, revoke the permit at any time. The permittee shall comply with all applicable state and federal regulations, and failure to do so shall result in immediate revocation of the permit.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 3-19-02; Ord. No. 1038, § 1, 10-1-13)

In the discretion of the Enforcement Officer, any person violating the provisions of this Chapter shall be issued an administrative citation pursuant to Beaumont Municipal Code Chapter 1.17 or shall be guilty of an infraction pursuant to Beaumont Municipal Code Chapter 1.16. In either case, the amount of the fine shall be the appropriate amount set forth in Section 1.16.030 of this Code. Each such violation shall be deemed a separate offense as specified in Section 1.16.040.

Notwithstanding the above, a first offense may be charged and prosecuted as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $1,000.00, or six months in jail, or both.

(Ord. 997, 5-3-11)

In addition to the penalties set forth in Section 9.30.030, a violator of this Chapter shall suffer the confiscation of the weapon.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 3-19-02)

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Chapter is for any reason held to be unconstitutional such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Chapter. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared unconstitutional.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 3-19-02)