A man shoots a handgun at Shooter’s Choice in Wilmington in April 2012. StarNews file photo

Q. Can a gun shop and repair business fire a gun in the city limits? The business (in a CB zone) is 25 feet or less from a residential neighborhood.

A. According to the city ordinance that govern discharging firearms, there are limited exceptions to the rule of no gunfire in city limits.

Municipal Code 6-6 addresses discharging of fireams and states the following:

It shall be unlawful for any person to fire a gun, rifle, pistol or other firearm within the city, except in case of self-defense or necessity. This section shall not apply to:

(1) An officer lawfully discharging his duty.

(2) Licensed shooting galleries.

(3) Trap shooting at such places and under such conditions as may be approved by the council.

(4) A person acting within the scope of a limited permit which may be issued by the chief of police only after the local wildlife protector has certified that a bird or animal is committing a depredation of the person’s property and is likely to be injurious to health. Any permit issued will specifically limit the time of use, type of weapon and kind of bird or animal committing the depredation, and will impose other limitations if necessary to assure the safety of any action taken under this provision.

If the business does not have a shooting gallery or limited use permit, the answer is they cannot fire weapons within the city limits.

RELATED LINKS:

Can you carry a visible gun in North Carolina that’s registered to someone else?

With a concealed-carry permit, can I take a gun into a city park or parking deck?

Can I carry a gun in my wheelchair partially seen without a conceal carry permit in North Carolina?

Date posted: June 9, 2015

User-contributed question by:
Anonymous