Moreno Valley Municipal Code Ch. 11.16 Discharge of Firearms

The following words and phrases, whenever used in this article, shall be construed as defined in this section:

"Firearm"

means any device designed to be used as a weapon or modified to be used as a weapon that expels a projectile by the force of an explosion or other form of combustion.

(Ord. 675 § 1.2, 2004)

A. Upon public and/or private property no person shall shoot, fire or discharge, nor cause or permit to be shot, fired or discharged, any rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver or other firearm in the general direction and within one-half mile of any house, camp or other place of human habitation, or in the general direction and within one-half mile of any public highway, road, street, way, park or premises.

(Ord. 675 § 1.2, 2004)

A. The provisions of Section 11.16.020 shall not apply to or affect sheriffs, constables, marshals, police officers, or other duly appointed peace officers in the performance of their official duties, nor to any person summoned by such officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while said person so summoned is actually engaged in assisting such officer; nor to persons who are by federal or state law authorized to use firearms, nor to persons using said firearms in necessary self-defense or defense of others.

B. The provisions of Section 11.16.020 shall not be construed to prohibit indoor or outdoor firearms ranges that are in compliance with all state and local regulations.

C. Use of firearms may be permissible when integral to the pursuit of specific competitive and sporting events, including, but not limited to, skeet shooting, if executed in a manner and location so as not to jeopardize the safety of others. Such an event must be conducted and overseen by a responsible, duly recognized organization experienced in events of such a nature. Nothing in this section shall prevent the discharge of blank ammunition in a starting event during an athletic event.

(Ord. 675 § 1.2, 2004)

Each and every violation of this chapter shall constitute either an infraction or a misdemeanor as provided in Section 1.01.200 of the city of Moreno Valley Municipal Code.

(Ord. 675 § 1.2, 2004)