§ 34-21. Weapons.

(a)

Firearms defined. The term "firearm(s)" as used herein means a gun that discharges shot or projectile by any means including the use of an explosive, gas, or compressed air.

(b)

Firearms regulations.

(1)

Firearms use instruction required. Minn. Stats. §§ 97B.015, 97B.021, and 97B.025 which pertain to the safe use of firearms and instructions in their use are hereby adopted by reference. Every provision contained in said statutes are made a part of this Code as if fully set forth herein.

(2)

Protection of home and family. Nothing in this section shall prevent the possession, storage or use of a firearm within the home when done in the lawful defense of person, family or property.

(3)

Discharge of firearm. Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall fire or discharge a firearm of any description within the limits of the city without first obtaining a city permit.

(4)

Law enforcement officers. This section does not prohibit the possession or discharge of firearms by duly authorized licensed peace officers.

(5)

Firing ranges. This section does not prohibit the possession or discharge of firearms in a firing range, either indoor or outdoor, provided said range is properly equipped and supervised to insure reasonable safety as determined by the certificate of the police chief or pursuant to licensing ordinances hereinafter enacted for such ranges.

(c)

Bow and arrow regulations.

(1)

Use. The use of a bow and arrow for hunting, target shooting or discharging for any purpose shall be allowed in the city in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota and this section but only if the person using the bow and arrow has a valid city issued permit.

(d)

Permit issuance and administration.

(1)

Authority. The police chief shall be granted the authority to administer the permit process and issue permits under this section.

(2)

Permits. Applications for a permit will be available through the police department. Completed applications for permits shall be made to the police chief. A permit to discharge a firearm or an arrow from a bow within the city shall be issued by the police chief or his/her designee.

(3)

Permit denials. Any person that has a permit request denied under this section may appeal the denial to the board of administrative hearings. The request for a hearing must be in writing, detailing the reason for the appeal, and shall include the filing fee as set in the city's rates and fees schedule. The filing fee will be refunded if the hearing board reverses the denial and issues a permit.

(e)

Hunting and discharging regulations.

(1)

All State of Minnesota rules and regulations pertaining to hunting and the discharge of weapons shall be followed and enforced within the city.

(2)

No weapon shall be used or handled so as to endanger the personal safety of persons or property.

(Ord. No. 13-07, § 2, 5-28-2013)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 13-07, § 2, adopted May 28, 2013, repealed the former § 34-21, and enacted a new § 34-21 as set out herein. The former § 34-21 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from the Code of 1978, § 5.07; Ord. No. 73-10, adopted August 20, 1973; Ord. No. 73-14; Ord. No. 83-15; Ord. No. 05-26, adopted November 14, 2005; Ord. No. 08-06, adopted February 12, 2008; Ord. No. 09-10, adopted July 14, 2009.

State law reference

Local firearms ordinances, Minn. Stats. § 471.633.