PUBLIC Law, Chapter 71, An Act To Allow the Use of a Crossbow for Recreational Target Practice within 100 Yards of a Building without the Owner’s Permission

An Act To Allow the Use of a Crossbow for Recreational Target Practice within 100 Yards of a Building without the Owner’s Permission

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 subsection 3 and 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 section, "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 section, "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.

3. Target practice; crossbow. Unless otherwise prohibited, a landowner or the landowner’s invitee may discharge a crossbow for recreational target practice purposes on the landowner’s property within 100 yards of a building or residential dwelling without the permission of the owner of that building or dwelling. Nothing in this subsection authorizes a landowner or the landowner’s invitee to cause a projectile discharged from a crossbow to enter property owned by another person.

Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 127th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.

HP0193 LD 275	PUBLIC Law, Chapter 71 on - Session - 127th Maine Legislature
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