HP0193
LD 275
Session - 127th Maine Legislature
 
LR 1684
Item 1
Bill Tracking, Additional Documents Chamber Status

An Act To Remove Crossbows from the Restriction on Discharging Weapons near Buildings

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §11209,  as amended by PL 2013, c. 538, §26, is further amended to read:

§ 11209. Discharge of firearm near dwelling or building

1. Prohibition.   A person may not:
A. Unless a relevant municipal ordinance provides otherwise and except as provided in sections 12401 and 12402, discharge a firearm, including a muzzle-loading firearm, or crossbow or cause a projectile to pass as a result of that discharge within 100 yards of a building or residential dwelling without the permission of the owner or, in the owner's absence, of an adult occupant of that building or dwelling authorized to act on behalf of the owner; or
B. Possess a wild animal or wild bird taken in violation of this subsection, except as otherwise provided in this Part.

This subsection may not be construed to prohibit a person from killing or taking a wild animal in accordance with sections 12401 and 12402.

For purposes of this subsection, "building" means any residential, commercial, retail, educational, religious or farm structure that is designed to be occupied by people or domesticated animals or is being used to shelter machines or harvested crops.

For purposes of this subsection, "projectile" means a bullet, pellet, shot, shell, ball , bolt or other object propelled or launched from a firearm or crossbow.

2. Penalty.  A person who violates subsection 1 commits a Class E crime.

SUMMARY

Current law prohibits discharging a crossbow within 100 yards of a building or a residential dwelling without the permission of the owner or an authorized person. This bill removes that restriction.


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