§ 14-142. Discharge of firearms; permit; exceptions; penalty.

(a)

No person shall practice shooting at any mark, board, sign, tree, bank, or other object with any gun, rifle, cannon, mortar, pistol, or other firearm within the limits of this County, whether on land or water, for military drill, amusement, or skill, without:

(1)

Obtaining in writing the consent to so use any such firearms of all owners, tenants, or occupants of real estate residing within the carrying capacity of such firearms; and

(2)

First obtaining a written permit from the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement. The petition shall be accompanied with the written consent of each and every such owner, tenant, or other occupant. The Department shall in no case grant a permit to practice with firearms if in its opinion the use of the public highways or streets of any real estate subdivision will be endangered by the use of such firearms.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person to fire or discharge any firearm defined in Subsection (a) wherein the projectile or projectiles traverse the property of another without obtaining the consent of the owner, tenant, or occupant of the subject property.

(c)

This Section shall not apply to the firing or discharge of any firearm defined in Subsection (a):

(1)

By the United States Government, where such practice is conducted under the established rule or regulation of the United States Department of Defense or any of its agencies;

(2)

By any law enforcement officer in the performance of official duty;

(3)

On a bona fide rifle, pistol, or shotgun range regulated pursuant to Section 27-404 of the Prince George's County Code and Section 36(H)(d) of Article 27 of the Maryland Annotated Code;

(4)

In the defense of a person's life; and

(5)

By licensed hunters lawfully hunting in season as authorized pursuant to the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Maryland.

(d)

For purposes of Subsections 14-142(c)(3) and 14-142(c)(5), nothing in this Section shall authorize any person to fire or discharge any firearm defined in Subsection (a) wherein the projectile or projectiles traverse the property of another without obtaining the consent of the owner, tenant, or occupant of the subject property.

(e)

It shall be unlawful for any person to organize an event consisting of one or more person(s) for the purposes set forth in Subsection (a), unless such person(s) has complied with the requirements of Subsection (a).

(f)

It shall be unlawful for any owner, tenant, or occupant of property to knowingly consent to the firing or discharge of any firearm defined in Subsection (a) by any person(s) on such property, unless such person(s) has complied with the requirements of Subsection (a).

(g)

Violation of the provisions of this Section is a misdemeanor and is punishable, upon conviction, by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment, not to exceed six (6) months, or both.

(Laws 1904, ch. 447, Sec. 67A; P.L.L. 1912, Art. 17, Sec. 236; P.L.L. 1930, Art. 17, Sec. 371; 1943 Code, Sec. 483; 1953 Code, Sec. 526; P.L.L. 1963, Sec. 23-1; CB-49-1984; CB-8-1995; CB-29-1995; CB-22-2001; CB-27-2014)