Discharge Laws.

**Gunowner99** · January 21st, 2013, 08:24 PM

How can I find out the discharge laws in Berks? Can't seem to find anything

**ROCK-IT3** · January 21st, 2013, 08:59 PM

Go outside and start shooting?

Sorry, had to say it. Did you try your municipality website for ordinances. I believe it would be the municipality that makes up discharge laws, not the county.

**Gunowner99** · January 21st, 2013, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by ROCK-IT3

Go outside and start shooting?

Sorry, had to say it. Did you try your municipality website for ordinances. I believe it would be the municipality that makes up discharge laws, not the county.

I live in Lower Heidelberg. People are hunting all around me so I suppose it's fairly lax. Their website says nothing.

**ROCK-IT3** · January 21st, 2013, 09:04 PM

If you are in Sinking Spring township, try here:

http://www.springtwpberks.org/Engine...Ordinances.htm

See Chapter 20, section 124. Looks like you have a pre-emption violation on your hands as well.

**Gunowner99** · January 21st, 2013, 09:14 PM

Nope, Lower Heidelberg not Sinking Spring. I see nothing on their website.

**ROCK-IT3** · January 21st, 2013, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by Gunowner99

I live in Lower Heidelberg. People are hunting all around me so I suppose it's fairly lax. Their website says nothing.

I suppose then you'd have to go to the township office and ask for a copy of the ordinances. I suspect that in most cases with rural townships, discharge of firearms while legally pursuing game would be regulated differently than target shooting on your own property.

**Gunowner99** · January 21st, 2013, 09:20 PM

Found it:

§ 103. Concealed Deadly Weapons Restricted.
[Ord. 13, 10/3/1955, § 3]
No person shall carry any concealed deadly weapon, except persons duly authorized by state law.

§ 102. Use of Firearms Restricted.
[Ord. 13, 10/3/1955, § 2]
No person shall discharge any firearm, air rifle or spring gun of any type whatsoever, except as authorized by state law.

**ROCK-IT3** · January 21st, 2013, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Gunowner99

Found it:

§ 103. Concealed Deadly Weapons Restricted.
[Ord. 13, 10/3/1955, § 3]
No person shall carry any concealed deadly weapon, except persons duly authorized by state law.

§ 102. Use of Firearms Restricted.
[Ord. 13, 10/3/1955, § 2]
No person shall discharge any firearm, air rifle or spring gun of any type whatsoever, except as authorized by state law.

Well there you go. Doesn't look like you can shoot in your backyard, unless you are legally hunting (authorized by state law), but you also do not have a pre-emption violation, since only discharge is prohibited, not carrying.

Now that brings it back to Sinking Spring, but that's for a different thread.