GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	2 

HOUSE BILL 589
Committee Substitute Favorable 4/3/97

Short Title:  Washington Road Hunting.	(Local)

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Sponsors:

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Referred to:  

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March 24, 1997

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE RECKLESS USE OF A FIREARM OR BOW AND ARROW AND TO REGULATE HUNTING FROM THE RIGHT-OF-WAY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  It is unlawful to hunt, take, or kill, or to attempt to hunt, take, or kill, any wild animal or wild bird with firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow, on, from, or across the right-of-way of any State-maintained road or highway, or to discharge any firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow on, from, or across the right-of-way of any State-maintained road or highway.  A hunter recovering dogs shall not be in violation of this section so long as all the hunter's weapons remain in a motor vehicle.
Section 2.  It is unlawful to possess a loaded shotgun or center-fire rifle while on the right-of-way of any State-maintained road or highway outside the confines of the passenger area of a vehicle.  This section does not apply to the owner in fee, the lessee, or a person granted permission by the owner in fee or lessee, of the land adjacent to either side of the right-of-way at the point where the person is on the right-of-way.
Section 3.  This act does not apply to:
(1)	The use or possession of firearms in defense of persons or property;
(2)	Persons lawfully possessing a firearm under a permit issued pursuant to Article 54B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes;
(3)	Law enforcement officers or members of the armed forces acting in the line of duty;
(4)	The use of firearms pursuant to the lawful direction of law enforcement officers;
(5)	Persons lawfully engaged in pest control;
(6)	Public or private shooting galleries; or
(7)	Private landowners on their own property using their own firearms to control pests or pursuant to permits issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission.
Section 4.  Violation of this act is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Section 5.  This act is enforceable by law enforcement officers of the Wildlife Resources Commission, by sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, and by other peace officers with general subject matter jurisdiction.
Section 6.  This act shall apply to Washington County only.
Section 7.  This act becomes effective December 1, 1997.