§ 28-5. Discharge of firearms.

(a)

No person shall discharge any firearm within the city limits, except as authorized by permit secured from the City Manager or his designee. The term "firearm" as used in this section shall have the same meaning as in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-171(3).

(b)

In order to obtain a permit to discharge a firearm within the city limits, such activity shall be conducted within an approved and permitted indoor firing range which provides a sufficient backstop or bullet trap to prevent the projectile from leaving the range or causing injury. The City Manager or his designee shall establish criteria for periodic inspection and permitting of indoor firing ranges. Outdoor firing ranges are prohibited within the city limits.

(c)

This section shall not be construed to prohibit any officer of the law from discharging a firearm in the performance of his duty, nor any citizen from discharging a firearm when lawfully defending his person or property.

(d)

This section shall not be construed to prohibit the discharge of firearms loaded with blank cartridges during a funeral ceremony conducted by the police, the United States military, or by United States Military Veterans' organizations;

(e)

Citizens desiring to conduct hunting, turkey shoots or other events on property owned by them or with permission from the owner shall obtain a letter of authorization from the chief of police whose duty it will be to inspect the area for safety and to approve or disapprove the request. Approval shall be given upon a showing that public safety will not be endangered by the proposed activity and a further showing that the proposed activity will not violate any law or ordinance.

(Ord. No. 10-2014, § I, 12-1-2014)