The following local ordinances apply in Fredericksburg City:
- § 54-7.1 Hunting. (reference)
A. The regulations contained herein shall apply to hunting within the City limits. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, except that a person violating Subsection E shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt any bird or game animal using a rifle of a caliber larger than 0.22 rimfire.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt any bird or game animal using a muzzle loading rifle or a shotgun loaded with slugs, except from a stand elevated at least 10 feet above the ground.
D. It shall be unlawful to hunt with a firearm any bird or game animal within 100 yards of any primary or secondary highway in the City. For the purpose of this subsection, the term "hunt" shall not include the necessary crossing of highways for the bona fide purpose of going into or leaving a lawful hunting area.
E. It shall be unlawful to shoot or hunt with a firearm, to traverse an area while in possession of a loaded firearm, within 100 yards of any property line of a public school or City or regional park.
[Ord. No. 09-14, 4-28-2009]
- § 54-7 Discharge of firearms prohibited. (reference)
A. The discharge of a firearm is prohibited within the City limits.
B. This prohibition shall not apply to:
(1) Any person hunting within the City limits in compliance with Virginia laws and regulations, with the permission of the property owner, in possession of a permit issued for the activity by the City Manager or his designee, and in compliance with the terms of City Code § 54-7.1 and the permit;
(2) Any law-enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties nor to any other person whose said willful act is otherwise justifiable or excusable at law in the protection of his life or property, or is otherwise specifically authorized by law;
(3) Any person firing a firearm while participating in an historic re-enactment event approved by the City Manager or designee, provided that any such firearm contains no projectile;
(4) The discharge of a firearm which contains no projectile or which is loaded with blank ammunition by an honor guard composed of members of the United States armed forces while participating in a ceremony, by an actor in a dramatic performance, or for the purpose of starting a race.C. The City Manager shall have authority to issue permits allowing the discharge of firearms within the City by persons hunting as set forth below, or for historic re-enactment events, or by persons not exempted herein, provided that such firearms shall fire blank ammunition or contain no projectile, and further provided that the City Manager is satisfied that the firing of such firearm will not constitute a disturbance of the peace, a nuisance, or in any way endanger the life or well-being of any person or constitute a hazard to any property.
D. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
[Code 1991, § 13-10; Ord. No. 09-14, 4-28-2009]
- § 54-7.2 Use of archery equipment. (reference)
It shall be unlawful to shoot an arrow from a bow in a manner that can be reasonably expected to result in the impact of the arrow upon the property of another without permission from the owner or tenant of such property. For the purposes of this section, "bow" includes all compound bows, crossbows, longbows and recurve bows having a peak draw weight of 10 pounds or more. The term "bow" does not include bows which have a peak draw of less than 10 pounds or which are designed or intended to be used principally as toys. The term "arrow" means a shaft-like projectile intended to be shot from a bow. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
[Ord. No. 09-14, 4-28-2009]
- § 54-7.3 Transportation of a loaded rifle or shotgun. (reference)
It shall be unlawful for any person to transport, possess or carry a loaded shotgun or loaded rifle in any vehicle on any public street, road, or highway within the City. Any violation of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $100. The provisions of this section shall not apply to duly authorized law-enforcement officers or military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties, nor to any person who reasonably believes that a loaded rifle or shotgun is necessary for his personal safety in the course of his employment or business.
[Ord. No. 09-14, 4-28-2009]