South Stormont Proposed Firearms and Bows By-law

We want to hear from you on a new Discharge of Firearms and Bows By-law.

In the spring of 2020, Council instructed staff to review the Township’s Nuisance By-law. The regulations surrounding the discharge of firearms was one of the main concerns expressed.

Complaints about the lack of restriction in some areas and too much regulation in others has prompted the creation of an independent by-law dedicated specifically to the discharge of firearms and bows within the Township of South Stormont.

Please note that this by-law does not affect the St. Lawrence Parks Commission lands or the St. Lawrence River.

Notable Inclusions Within the Proposed Firearms and Bows By-law

Problem

The current definition of a firearm does not include air guns, spring guns or types of bows.

Concerns have been raised by residents and staff that under the current by-law, cross-bows or high power air rifles are not restricted within the settlement areas. This poses a danger to anyone within a settlement area.

Solution

The new by-law will define both firearms and bows.

By creating a more concise definition of firearm and including the definition of a bow, the firearms and bows that were previously omitted are now prohibited.

The proposed definitions are as follow:

“Firearm” means shotguns, rifles, air guns, spring guns or any class thereof and includes anything that can be adapted for use as a Firearm.

“Bow” means a curved or re-curved stave of a resilient material, strung taut from end to end and used to launch an arrow, bolt, quarrel or any similar projectile and includes cross-bows, long bows, re-curve bows and compound bows.

Problem

The area where the discharge of firearms is restricted is, in some cases, rather restrictive.

There are areas within the Urban Settlement area that are rural in nature, and some are large in size. Requests have been made to allow for archery practice and hunting in some of these areas.

Solution

The proposed by-law recommends the discharge of firearms and bows be restricted completely, with certain exceptions, within the Urban Settlement area defined in the SDG Official Plan. The areas are outlined on the map below. This is same area used by the Township to restrict Open Air Burning.

The proposed by-law suggests allowing the discharge of firearms and bows within the Defined Area, providing the property is larger that 5 acres in size and no bullet or arrow shall pass over the boundary of the property.

Other Items

The proposed by-law provides exceptions for the discharge of firearms, these include:

• Peace officer
• Agents under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
• Uses for agriculture purposes for the owner or tenant with a valid Business Registration Number

Provisions for the power of entry, severability, offence and enforcement are also included in the draft by-law.

* It should be noted that the municipality is not able to enforce the discharge of firearms or bows on property governed by the Province.