Police chief reminds citizens about ordinance addressing bows in Ludington.

Chief Mark Barnett

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Police Department has received a number of questions recently regarding the use of crossbows and bows and arrows within the city limits, according to Chief Mark Barnett.

Barnett said Ludington city ordinance prohibits the discharge of such weapons within the city limits.

“No person shall shoot, discharge or otherwise use a firearm,crossbow, slingshot or other dangerous weapon in any street, avenue, alley, parking lot, public place or on private property within the city,” Barnett said, quoting the city ordinance (see below).

The ordinance goes on to address the issue of use of bow and arrow within the city by stating: “No person shall…shoot or discharge any bow and arrow in a manner which carelessly or recklessly endangers any person or property.”

“While the ordinance prohibits the shooting, discharging or otherwise using a firearm, crossbow, slingshot or other dangerous weapon it does allow for safe target practice with bow and arrow,” Barnett said. “If a resident decides to target practice on their property they should keep in mind the need to do so in a safe manner.  This activity in more congested areas exposes the archer to increased risk of injury and liability.

“As residents are preparing for fall hunting we ask that they keep this ordinance in mind and conduct themselves accordingly.”

• Sec. 34-100. – Firearms and weapons.

(a) The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Dangerous weapon means any instrument or device which is either designed to cause physical injury or death or which is used or intended to be used in a manner likely to cause serious physical injury or death.

Firearm means any instrument or device included within the provisions of section 222 of the Michigan Penal Code (MCL 750.222) or Public Act No. 189 of 1959 (MCL 8.3t).

(b) No person shall shoot, discharge or otherwise use a firearm, crossbow, slingshot or other dangerous weapon in any street, avenue, alley, parking lot, public place or on private property within the city or shoot or discharge any bow and arrow in a manner which carelessly or recklessly endangers any person or property.

(c) This section shall not apply to the following:

(1) Any peace officer of a duly authorized police or correctional agency; members of the United States armed forces, reserves or national guard; or members of any other duly authorized governmental or military organization of the government of the United States or of the state, when in furtherance of the purpose of such agencies or organizations.

(2) Any person who is properly licensed or who has a valid permit when that person is acting within the lawful purpose or scope of the license or permit.

(3) Any person on the premises of a duly authorized or licensed business or profit or nonprofit organization lawfully engaged in the selling, exchanging or collecting of weapons, if in furtherance of that purpose, or when lawfully on the premises of a duly authorized or licensed business or profit or nonprofit organization, the purpose of which is to provide targets for practice or for sport, if in furtherance of that purpose.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow what the state law specifically prohibits.

(Code 1984, § 9.8)

State Law reference— Firearms and weapons, MCL 28.421 et seq., 750.222 et seq., authority for above section preserved

Section 1-7 (c), general penalties:

Except as otherwise provided by law or ordinance, a person convicted of a violation of this Code shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00, and costs of prosecution or by imprisonment for a period of not more than 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Except as otherwise provided by law or ordinance, with respect to violations of this Code that are continuous with respect to time, each day that the violation continues is a separate offense. As to other violations, each violation constitutes a separate offense.