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City of Lewiston – Code of Ordinances Chapter 50 Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions Sec. 50-107. Discharging firearms. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to regulate the discharge of firearms within the city in order to promote and enhance the safety and welfare of its inhabitants. This section is intended to protect the rights of landowners and the interests of persons who use firearms in work and recreation while meeting these objectives. Zones created. For the purposes of this section, the city is divided into two zones denominated as zone 1 and zone 2. The boundaries of the zones are as follows: Zone 1. Zone 1 includes the area between the corporate boundaries of the City of Lewiston and lying southeasterly, easterly and northeasterly of a line delineated by the centerline of the Maine Turnpike from the point where the turnpike crosses the Androscoggin River to the point where Grove Street crosses the turnpike; then northwesterly on Grove Street to the point where the Central Maine Power Company double transmission lines cross Grove Street; then by the centerline of the right-of-way of the double transmission lines northerly and then northwesterly to the point where they cross the Androscoggin River. Zone 2. Zone 2 is that area within the corporate bounds of the City of Lewiston and not included in zone 1. Zone 1 discharge restrictions. In zone 1, no person shall discharge a firearm unless that person is in possession of the written permission of the owner of the land on which such discharge occurs. The form of such written permission shall contain the following information: Name of landowner; Name of permittee; General description of size and location of land; and Dates and times for which such permission is valid. Zone 2 discharge restrictions. In zone 2, no person shall discharge any firearm. Exceptions. No provision of this section shall be construed to limit the authority to discharge a firearm by a person who is: A law enforcement officer, or a government official, acting within the scope of his official duties. Acting in lawful defense of person. Within the physical confines of a duly authorized firing range, rifle range, pistol range, target range, or shooting gallery. A member of the National Guard, veterans' organizations and similar organizations in connection with public ceremonials. Discharging a firearm for signaling purposes. Discharging a firearm with blank cartridges for theatrical purposes or for signal purposes in athletic contests or sport events. A property owner, or his authorized agent, engaged in commercial agriculture acting in lawful defense of his own crops from damage or destruction by wild animals. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Lewiston – Code of Ordinances Chapter 50 Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions "Firearm" defined. A "firearm" includes any instrument used in the propulsion of pellet, shot, slug, or bullet by the action of gunpowder, compressed air or gas exploded or released within it. Penalties for violation. A first violation of this section shall be punishable by a penalty not to exceed $250.00. Second and subsequent violations of this section shall be punishable by a penalty not to exceed $500.00. Prima facie evidence of violation. It shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section if a person carries a firearm on his person, the discharge of which is prohibited in the zone in which the person is located, unless that firearm is unloaded and rendered incapable of firing without further assembly or is unloaded and enclosed in a case. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority to carry a concealed firearm by a person licensed to do so. (Ord. No. 92-23, § 30, 10-15-92; Ord. No. 95-13, 10-19-95)