O-2012-3430 amend Ch42/prohibiting the discharge of firearms within the city limits

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ORDINANCE NO. 2012- 3,1 0 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE AMENDING CHAPTER 42, "MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES", ARTICLE II, "WEAPONS", OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, BY RESTRICTING DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR DEFENSES; CONTAINING A REPEALING CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING THAT ANY PERSON VIOLATING THE TERMS OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE DEEMED GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND UPON CONVICTION SHALL BE FINED IN A SUM NOT TO EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF THE CAPTION HEREOF; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE: Section 1. Chapter 42, "Miscellaneous Offenses", Article II, "Weapons", of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte is hereby amended by adding new Sections 42-28 through 42-30, and amending Section 42-31, and shall hereafter read as follows, to -wit: "Sec. 42-28. Purpose. This ordinance is adopted so that the City may promote the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare within the City through the regulation of the discharge of firearms, air guns, and other weapons. The City seeks to prevent bodily injury, death, and property damage within the City limits by restricting the discharge of such devises as provided herein. Sec. 42-29. Definitions. The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section: (a) Air Gun means any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy or force generated by the release of air or compressed gases. The term "air gun" includes but is not limited to BB guns, pellet guns, air pistols, paintball guns, and air rifles. (b) Firearm means any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device readily convertible to that use. The term "firearm" includes but is not limited to revolvers, pistols, handguns, rifles, and shotguns.