Scotts Valley Municipal Code Ch. 9.08 Discharge of Firearms

It is unlawful to discharge or shoot a firearm within the city limits except as provided in this chapter.

(Ord. 65 § 1, 1975)

The provision of this chapter shall not apply to the discharge or shooting of a firearm by:

A. A peace officer in the performance of his duties or in the course of his training;

B. Guards or messengers of common carriers, banks or other financial institutions while actually employed in and about the shipment, transportation or delivery of any money, treasure, bullion, bonds or other things of value;

C. Members of the military forces of this state or of the United States engaged in the performance of their duty;

D. Private investigators, private patrol operators and operators of a private patrol service who are licensed pursuant to the Business and Professions Code of the state of California, and while acting within the course and scope of their employment;

E. Uniform security guards, regularly employed and compensated as such by persons engaged in any lawful business, while actually engaged in protecting and preserving the property of their employers;

F. Building guards and night watchmen employed by any public agency while acting within the scope and in the course of their employment;

G. Animal control officers regularly compensated as such by a governmental agency when acting in the course and scope of their employment;

H. Humane officers authorized to carry weapons pursuant to Section 607F of the Civil Code of the state of California while actually engaged in the performance of their duty pursuant to such section.

(Ord. 65 § 1, 1975; Ord. 65.1 § 2, 1978; Ord. 65.2 (part), 1994)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:

A. The discharge or shooting of a firearm at a target range or practice range authorized and operated with written permission of the chief of police;

B. The discharge or shooting of a firearm at a demonstration or exhibition authorized and operated with written permission of the council;

C. The discharge or shooting of a firearm under circumstances prohibited by either state law or federal law.

(Ord. 65 § 3, 1975; Ord. 65.2 (part), 1994)

The term "firearm" as used in this chapter includes, but is not limited to, any rifle, pistol, revolver, shotgun, air gun, BB gun or other type of gun from which a shell, pellet, cartridge, bullet or other projectile is propelled by any force including, but not limited to, air, gas, explosion, spring, elasticity or leverage.

(Ord. 65 § 4, 1975)

The chief of police of Scotts Valley or his authorized deputies may impound any firearm used in violation of the provisions of this chapter. Any firearm impounded hereunder may be returned to the owner thereof, or, in the sole discretion of the chief of police or his deputies, be retained, disposed of, or destroyed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.028 of the Penal Code of the state of California.

(Ord. 65 § 5, 1975)