The following local ordinances apply in Rocky Mount City:
- Sec. 42-17. - Discharge of firearms. (reference)
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any rifle, shotgun or firearm of any description, except upon urgent necessity.
(Code 1979, § 12-56)
State Law reference— Authority of town to regulate the discharge of firearms, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1113.
- Sec. 42-21. - Archery season to hunt deer. (reference)
(a) The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries "Hunting and Trapping in Virginia July 2003 through June 2004 Regulations" (the "regulations") solely as they pertain to the taking of deer with archery equipment, and as the regulations may be amended from time to time, including the Special Urban Archery Season, are hereby adopted, subject to the rules, regulations and specifications as follows:
(1) Geographic areas. The discharge of archery equipment for the taking of deer inside the town boundaries may occur on parcels of private property with written permission from the property owner, subject to the requirements of the regulations and other state hunting laws. The discharge of archery equipment shall not occur on school property or church property.
(2) Elevated stands. The discharge of archery equipment for the taking of deer shall be from stands elevated not less than ten feet above the level of surrounding land. Otherwise, the discharge of archery equipment shall be prohibited.
(3) Proximity to structures and trails. The discharge of archery equipment shall not occur closer than 300 linear feet from any residence. The discharge of archery equipment shall not occur closer than 100 feet from any highway, street, alley, roadway, sidewalk, or officially designated foot trail. Arrows shall not be shot in the direction of any residence, highway, street, alley, roadway, sidewalk, or officially designated foot trail.
(4) Firearms. Firearms of any type, caliber or description, shall not be used or carried during deer hunting.
(5) Other laws. Persons using archery equipment for the taking of deer shall abide by all other applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the taking of deer with archery equipment as provided by this ordinance, specifically including but not limited to any applicable part of the Virginia Code and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Regulations and Regulations Manual (including bag limits and tagging/checking requirements).(b) Any person engaged in the taking of deer with archery equipment inside the town boundaries shall register with the Town of Rocky Mount Police Department. The person shall have obtained written permission from the property owner before registering and provide the town with a copy of that permission. The person shall carry a police department registration form with them at all times while engaged in the taking of deer with archery equipment. The person shall provide the police department with information regarding any deer taken, attempts to take deer (missed shots), and deer wounded but not found.
(c) It is the intent of this ordinance to permit the taking of deer with archery equipment according to the regulations during the early and late special urban archery seasons as well as any other time the regulations permit the taking of deer with archery equipment. These seasons shall be in effect beginning with the year 2003-2004 and shall continue in effect from year to year according to the dates and terms of the regulations as they are published from time to time.
(d) Any person violating this ordinance shall be guilty of a class I misdemeanor.
(e) Except as otherwise specifically provided by this ordinance, the prohibitions contained in the section 42-18 of this Code, as amended, shall remain in full force and effect.
(Ord. of 9-8-03; Ord. of 8-17-04)
- Sec. 42-18. - Discharging, etc., slingshots, air guns, etc. (reference)
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge or use any slingshot, sling, gravel shooter, air gun, bow, crossbow or similar implement.
(Code 1979, § 12-58)