The following local ordinances apply in Petersburg City:
- Sec. 74-209. - Hunting and trapping within the city limits. (reference)
It shall be lawful to trap and hunt, with shotgun using shotgun shells, wildlife, as defined in Code of Virginia, tit. 29.1, except freshwater fish, in those areas of the city zoned agricultural; except that it shall not be lawful to hunt or attempt to hunt in such areas on or within 100 yards of any public highway or public street.
(Code 1981, §§ 6-10, 39-9)
State Law reference— "Wildlife" defined, Code of Virginia, § 29.1-100.
- Sec. 74-208. - Discharging firearms generally. (reference)
Any person who shall shoot any gun or other firearm anywhere within the city limits, except when justifiable or excusable at law in the protection of life or property, shall be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not apply to any person engaged in the repair of firearms who, in connection with such business, shall shoot such firearms, for the purpose of testing such firearms, at a place and under conditions specified in a permit obtained by such person from the chief of police. Upon the filing of an application for such a permit, the chief of police shall give the applicant ten days' notice of a hearing thereon and shall then proceed to investigate the character and reputation and the record of such applicant, the location of the place at which such testing is to be done and the suitability of the location from the standpoint of safety. At such hearing the applicant shall be given an opportunity to be heard on the matters required to be investigated and the chief of police shall grant or refuse the application on the basis of his finding relative to such matters. The chief of police may, in any case where such a permit has been granted, revoke the permit upon ten days' notice to the person holding such a permit of a hearing to be held thereon and, at such hearing, such person shall have an opportunity to be heard on the matters which are required to be investigated and the chief of police shall then revoke or continue the permit on the basis of his findings relative to such matters.
(Code 1981, § 39-8)
State Law reference— Authority of city to regulate or prohibit discharge of firearms, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1113; discharging firearms in streets or other public places, Code of Virginia, §§ 18.2-280, 18.2-286.
- Sec. 74-210. - Pneumatic guns, paintball guns, grit shooters, air guns, etc. (reference)
(a) Discharging. Any person who shall, anywhere within the corporate limits of the city, discharge any shot, gravel, bullet, pellet, BB or other similar substance from a pneumatic gun, paintball gun, grit shooter, air gun, slingshot or similar implement shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.
(b) Exceptions. This article shall not apply to the use of pneumatic guns, paintball guns, grit shooters, air guns, slingshots, or similar implements at facilities approved, on other property where firearms or similar implements may be discharged or within private property with the permission of the owner or legal possessor thereof when conducted with reasonable care to prevent a projectile from crossing the bounds of the property.
(c) Carrying in public street. Any person who shall carry in the public streets any pneumatic gun, paintball gun, grit shooter, air gun, slingshot or anything of like kind, which is generally used for shooting, slinging grit, gravel, stone or any other things, shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.
(d) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Paintball gun means any implement (i) designed to expel by action of pneumatic pressure plastic balls filled with paint, and (ii) used for the purpose of marking the point of impact.
Pneumatic gun means any implement (i) designed as a gun, and (ii) designed to expel a BB, bullet, pellet or anything of like kind by action of pneumatic pressure.
(Code 1981, §§ 39-10, 39-11; Ord. No. 13-62, 7-2-2013)
Cross reference— Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-915.4.
- Sec. 74-211. - Throwing stones or other missiles (reference)
(a) In street. Any person who shall throw stones, sticks or other dangerous missiles in any street shall be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor.
(b) From bridge over highway, railway, etc. It shall be unlawful for any person to throw any stick, stone, missile or object of any character from any bridge of the city leading over a public highway, railway, road or street. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.
(Code 1981, §§ 39-12, 39-13)
- Sec. 74-212. - Transporting a loaded rifle or shotgun. (reference)
(a) 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 section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00.
(b) 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.
(Code 1981, § 39-14)
State Law reference— Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-287.1.