§ 14-27. Discharging firearms.

(a)

It shall be unlawful to discharge any firearm in the city limits, except as provided in subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e).

(b)

The chief of police shall have authority to issue permits to individuals, entities, or groups for the discharging of firearms within the city limits for properly supervised public or civic functions. The permit shall contain the following:

(1)

Limitation on the hours of the day during which the discharge of the firearm(s) may take place;

(2)

Specific expiration date; and

(3)

Event location.

(c)

The chief of police may issue a special permit to the state game and fish commission for the purpose of conducting an Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program (AYSSP) in a specific zone and restricted area or for an event sponsored by the state game and fish commission at the Janet Huckabee River Valley Nature Center. These events may include shooting of shotgun, archery or air rifle only. The permit issued shall contain the following:

(1)

Name of the event;

(2)

Limitation on the hours of the day during which the shooting may take place; and

(3)

Specific expiration date.

(d)

The chief of police shall have authority to issue permits for the discharge of firearms, archery equipment, air rifles, air pistols, or paintball guns in an indoor shooting gallery ("shooting gallery" means and includes any place or premises where facilities or devices for target shooting for practice or amusement with any firearm, archery equipment, air rifle, air pistol or paintball gun are provided for the use of any person for a fee, pay or compensation of any kind to be paid, directly or indirectly, by such person) as provided in section 14-30.

This section shall not apply to active law enforcement officers or active military in the execution of their official duties.

(e)

The chief of police shall have authority to authorize the City's participation in Urban Deer Hunts in partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Bowhunters Association under the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's protocols as provided in Section 14-33 of the Fort Smith Municipal Code.

(Code 1976, § 19-21; Ord. No. 62-07, 9-4-07; Ord. No. 21-10, 5-4-10; Ord. No. 8-13, § 1, 2-19-13)