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Code of the Township of Abington                                    [ Back to Table of Contents ]

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PART II GENERAL LEGISLATION: Chapter 83, FIREARMS AND OTHER WEAPONS

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

ARTICLE I, Discharge of Firearms [Adopted 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1720EN]

83-1. Discharge of firearms prohibited; exceptions.

It shall be unlawful for any person within the township to shoot or discharge, or cause to be discharged, a rifle, shotgun or pistol, except as permitted by the Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code, 83-12 of this chapter.

83-2. Violations and penalties.

Any person found guilty of violating any of the terms of this article shall be subject to a fine of not more than $300 and costs for each violation and, on default in the payment thereof, shall be subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days.

ARTICLE II, Bows and Arrows [Adopted 10-10-1957 by Ord. No. 886]

83-3. Use restricted.

It shall be unlawful, except as hereinafter provided, for any person within the township to shoot or discharge or cause to be shot or discharged, by the use of a bow or any other instrument, any pointed arrows when said arrows are pointed with stone, wooden or metal tips.

83-4. Exceptions.

The provisions of this article shall not apply to the use of bows and arrows in schools and clubs under competent supervision or on private property where safe shooting conditions are maintained in accordance with standards approved by the Department of Public Safety. Nor shall this article prohibit the use of bows and arrows in accordance with the Game Law of June 3, 1937, P.L. 1225, as amended.EN

83-5. Violations and penalties.

Any person convicted of a violation of this article shall be sentenced to pay costs and a fine not exceeding $50, and on default in the payment thereof, shall be sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding 10 days.

ARTICLE III, Switchblade Knives [Adopted 4-9-1953 as Ord. No. 722]

83-6. Sale or possession prohibited.

In order to protect the public safety, it is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell, offer for sale or have possession of any knife where the blade is released by a spring mechanism, including knives known as "switchblades."

83-7. Definition.

" Person" means any individual, partnership, association or corporation. Whenever used in any clause prescribing or imposing a penalty, the term "person" as applied to partnerships or associations shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers thereof.

83-8. Authority of police.

The Chief of Police and police officers are authorized to seize, remove, confiscate and destroy any knife where the blade is released by spring mechanism, including knives known as "switchblades."

83-9. Violations and penalties.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine of not more than $300, together with judgment of imprisonment for not more than 90 days if the amount of said fine and costs is not paid to the District Justice imposing the fine within 10 days after the imposition thereof.

ARTICLE IV, Rifles and Air Rifles [Adopted 12-8-1949 by Ord. No. 642]

83-10. Discharge prohibited; penalty.

Whoever discharges a rifle, an air rifle or air gun of any description which impels with force a metal pellet of any kind within the Township of Abington shall, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $50, and in default of the payment of such fine and costs shall be sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 10 days.

83-11. Sale to certain minors prohibited; penalty.

Whoever knowingly and willfully sells or causes to be sold or supplies or furnishes to any person under 18 years of age any rifle, air rifle or air gun of any description in the Township of Abington shall, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $50, and in default of the payment of such fine and costs shall be sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 10 days.

83-12. Exceptions.

The provisions of this article shall not apply to the discharge of rifles in the defense of person or property, or by the members of duly organized gun or rifle clubs or their bona fide guests or by the members of military organizations upon the ranges of such clubs or organizations under the control and supervision of the duly constituted officers of such clubs or organizations, or by the patrons of commercial ranges.

83-13. Arrest without warrant; confiscation.

Every police officer of the township shall arrest without warrant any person caught in the act of violating any of the provisions of this article and shall confiscate any rifle, air rifle or air gun, as described in this article carried by or in the possession of any person under the age of 18 years, which shall be held by the Chief of Police until delivery thereof is requested by the parent or guardian of such person.

83-14. Purpose.

It is the intent and purpose of this article that the killing of game or vermin of any kind through the use of rifle, air rifle or air gun shall be unlawful.