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Discharge of Firearms and Bows - PW-7

By-Law Number
PW-7

By-law PW-7
A by-law to prohibit and regulate the discharge of
firearms and bows in the City of London.

WHEREAS section 210, paragraph 36 of the Municipal Act, R. S. 0. 1990,
c.M.45
, as amended, provides that by-laws may be passed by councils of local
municipalities for prohibiting and regulating the discharge of guns or other firearms, air-
guns, spring-guns, cross­ bows and long-bows or any class or type thereof in the
municipality or in any defined area thereof;

AND WHEREAS it is deemed expedient and is in the public interest to
prohibit the discharge of firearms, air-guns, spring-guns, cross-bows and long-bows or
any class or type thereof within the boundaries of the City;

THEREFORE the Municipal Council of The Corporation of the City of London enacts as follows:

DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS AND BOWS BY-LAW

Part 1
DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions

In this by-law:

Bow-defined

"Bow" means a weapon consisting of a curved, sometimes re-curved, stave of a
resilient material, strung taut from end to end and used to launch an arrow, a bolt, a
quarrel or any similar projectile and that is capable of causing bodily injury or death to a
person and includes cross-bows, long-bows, re-curve bows and compound bows.

Coarse Fish-defined

"Coarse fish" as defined by the Fisheries Act, means bowfin, burbot, catfish, eel,
freshwater drum and gar.

City-defined

"City" means the area within the boundaries of the City of London.

Educational Property-defined

"Educational property" includes school facilities operated by a Board of Education, a
private school, a university, a provincial college, a private college or an outdoor area
when in use for instructional purposes by a Board of Education, University or College,
whether or not adjacent to a building.

Firearm-defined

"Firearm" means a barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can
be discharged and that is capable of causing bodily injury or death to a person, and
includes any frame or receiver of such a barrelled weapon and anything that can be
adapted for use as a firearm, including air guns, spring-guns, or any class or type
thereof.

Nuisance Animal-defined

"Nuisance animal" means any animal or bird found damaging or destroying property on
a person's own land or, on reasonable and probable grounds, that a person believes is
about to damage or destroy property on their own land.

Part 2
DISCHARGE - PROHIBITED

2.1 Discharge of firearms and bows -prohibited

No person shall discharge a firearm or bow within the area of the City as identified on
the map which forms Schedule 'A'  and is described in Schedule 'B' of this by-law,
except as authorized by this by-law. (the Schedule 'A' map appears at the end of this
by-law. A more accurate printed copy is available in the City Clerk's Office, 3rd Floor, City
Hall.)

2.2 Within 200 metres of any educational property

No person shall discharge a firearm or bow in any area in which the discharge is not
already prohibited, within 200 metres of the periphery of any property used for
educational purposes, excepting those properties in use for instruction in the proper use
and maintenance of firearms or bows.

Part 3
EXCEPTIONS

3.1 Police-authorized officials-use-not restricted

This by-law is not intended to interfere in the exercise of the rights and privileges
granted, or the performance of duties imposed upon a peace officer, by any Act of the
Province of Ontario or the Government of Canada, and it shall not at any time be so
construed.

3.2 Written permission-within City

The Chief of Police may issue written permission to discharge a firearm or bow within
any area of the City.

3.3 Indoor shooting ranges

Part 2 of this by-law does not apply so as to prohibit the discharge of firearms in the
City, when the discharge occurs in shooting or rifle ranges which are within buildings
constructed so that there is no danger of any bullet or projectile discharged or fired
therein, passing out of the building.

3.4 Indoor Archery ranges

Part 2 of this by-law does not apply so as to prohibit the discharge of bows in the City,
when the discharge occurs in archery ranges which are within buildings constructed so
that there is no danger of any projectile discharged therein, passing out of the building.

3.5 Archery-Educational instruction/competition

Part 2 of this by-law does not apply so as to prohibit the discharge of a bow on property
used for educational purposes if it is for the purposes of archery instruction or an
archery competition that is authorized by a board of education, an educational institution
or the principal of a school that occupies the property.

3.6 Sanctioned Archery Events

Part 2 of this by-law does not apply so as to prohibit the discharge of a bow, when the
discharge occurs at a competition event which has been sanctioned by the Federation
of Canadian Archers, the Ontario Association of Archers, the Forest City Archers or the
Crumlin Sportsmen's Association.

3.7 Carp and coarse fish-bow and arrow

Part 2 of this by-law does not apply so as to prohibit the provisions of the Fisheries Act
and its Regulations with respect to the hunting of carp and coarse fish by bow and
arrow.

3.8 Agricultural land-exception

Section 2.1 of this by-law does not apply so as to prohibit the discharge of a firearm or
bow for the destruction of diseased, nuisance or sick animals, or for the slaughter of
animals for food by the owner, occupier or authorized agent of the owner or occupier, of
any land designated in the City of London Official Plan for agricultural uses.

3.9 Trap-skeet shooting

Section 2.1 of this by-law does not apply so as to prohibit any person engaged in trap or
skeet shooting from discharging a firearm at a licensed trap or skeet shooting club in
that part of the City comprised of lands in the former Township of London and shown on
the map that is included as Schedule "A" of this by-law.

3.10 London Hunt and Country Club-Crumlin Sportsmen's Association

Section 2.1 of this by-law does not apply so as to prohibit attendees at the London Hunt
and Country Club, located on Lots 26 to 28 in Concession 2 of the geographic Township
of London, and attendees at the Crumlin Sportsmen's Association, located on the south-
half on Lot 1 in Concession 2 North of the Thames River of the geographic Township of
North Dorchester, from discharging a firearm or bow on such properties.

3.11 Military Re-enactments

Despite any other section of this by-law, any person engaged in a military re-enactment
exercise may discharge a firearm or bow provided that the safety measures for such an
exercise have been reviewed by the Chief of Police or his/her designate.

3.12 Exception-parcels of 20.24 Hectares or more-firearm

Section 2.1 of this by-law, as it applies to the discharge of a firearm, does not apply so
as to prohibit the owner or occupier of a parcel of land of 20.24 hectares (50 acres) or
more located within the area set out in schedules 'A' and 'B' of this by-law, or a person
or persons carrying such owner or occupier's written permission on their person, from
discharging a firearm for the purposes of hunting, target shooting or the training of dogs.

3.13 Exception-parcels of 4.05 Hectares or more-bow

Section 2.1 of this by-law, as it applies to the discharge of a bow, does not apply so as
to prohibit the owner or occupier of a parcel of land of 4.05 hectares (10 acres) or more
located within the area set out in schedules 'A' and 'B' of this by-law, or a person or
persons carrying such owner or occupier's written permission on their person, from
discharging a bow for the purposes of hunting or target shooting.

Part 4
ENFORCEMENT

4.1 Fine-for contravention

Any person who contravenes any provision of this by-law is, upon conviction, guilty of
an offence and is liable to any penalty as provided in the Provincial Offences Act.

4.2 Continuation-repetition-prohibited by order

The Court in which the conviction has been entered, and any court of competent
jurisdiction thereafter, may make an order prohibiting the continuation or repetition of
the offence by the person convicted, and such order shall be in addition to any other
penalty imposed on the person convicted.

Part 5
REPEAL-ENACTMENT

5.1 Previous by-law

By-law PW-1 and all amendments thereto are hereby repealed.

5.2 Effective date

This by-law comes into force on the day it is passed.
PASSED IN OPEN Council on June 21, 1999.

Dianne Haskett Mayor

Jeff A. Malpass City Clerk

First Reading - June 21, 1999

Second Reading - June 21, 1999

Third Reading - June 21, 1999

SCHEDULE 'A' TO BY-LAW PW-7

Image
Schedule A to Bylaw PW-7

SCHEDULE 'B' TO BY-LAW PW-7

The areas of the City of London in which the discharge of firearms or bows is prohibited as
shown on Schedule "A" to this by-law are described as follows:

That portion of the City of London described as follows:

COMMENCING at the intersection of the northerly limit of the City of London with the easterly
limit of Highbury Avenue North;

THENCE westerly along the northerly limit of the City of London to the westerly limit of Hyde
Park Road;

THENCE southerly along the westerly limit of Hyde Park Road to the northerly limit of
Fanshawe Park Road West;

THENCE westerly along the northerly limit of Fanshawe Park Road West to the westerly limit
of the right-of-way of the Canadian National Railway;

THENCE southerly along the westerly limit of the right-of-way of the Canadian National
Railway to the northerly limit of Sarnia Road;

THENCE westerly along the northerly limit of Sarnia Road to the water's edge on the easterly
bank of the Thames River;

THENCE southerly along the water's edge to the northerly limit of Bain-Arden Road;

THENCE westerly along the northerly limit of Bain-Arden Road to the westerly limit of Kain
Road;

THENCE southerly along the westerly limit of Kain Road to the northerly limit of
Commissioners Road West;

THENCE continuing southerly to and along the westerly limit of the road allowance between
Lots 47 and 48 in Concession B of the geographic Township of Westminster to the northerly
limit of Byron Base Line Road;

THENCE continuing southerly to and along the westerly limit of Wickerson Road to the
southerly limit of Southdale Road East;

THENCE easterly along the southerly limit of Southdale Road East to the westerly limit of
Colonel Talbot Road;

THENCE southerly along the westerly limit of Colonel Talbot Road to the northerly limit of Pack
Road;

THENCE westerly along the northerly limit of Pack Road to the centre of Dingman Creek;

THENCE southerly along the centre of Dingman Creek to the northerly limit of the lands on
Registered Plan M-64 {the South Winds Subdivision);

THENCE westerly along northerly limit of the lands on Registered Plan M-64 to the westerly
limit of the lands on Registered Plan M-64;

THENCE southerly along the westerly limit of the lands on Registered Plan M-64 (the rear of
the lots on the west side of South Winds Drive) and its production southerly to the southerly
limit of Kilbourne Road;

THENCE easterly along the southerly limit of Kilbourne Road to the centre of Dingman Creek;

THENCE southerly along the centre of Dingman Creek to and across Longwoods Road and
continuing southerly and easterly to the westerly limit of Colonel Talbot Road;

THENCE southerly along the westerly limit of Colonel Talbot Road to the southerly limit of
Highway 402;

THENCE easterly along the southerly limit of Highway 402 to the easterly limit of Wonderland
Road South;

THENCE northerly along the easterly limit of Wonderland Road South to the southerly limit of
Dingman Drive;

THENCE easterly along the southerly limit of Dingman Drive to the easterly limit of the right-of­
way of the Canadian National Railway;

THENCE northerly along the easterly limit of the right-of-way of the Canadian National Railway
to the southerly limit of Green Valley Road;

THENCE easterly along the southerly limit of Green Valley Road to the easterly limit of Hubrey
Road;

THENCE northerly along the easterly limit of Hubrey Road to the southerly limit of Wilton Grove
Road;

THENCE easterly along the southerly limit of Wilton Grove Road to the easterly limit of Cheese
Factory Road;

THENCE northerly along the easterly limit of Cheese Factory Road to the southerly limit of
Highway 401;

THENCE continuing northerly in a straight line to the intersection of the easterly limit of Jackson
Road and the northerly limit of Bradley Avenue;

THENCE continuing northerly along the easterly limit of Jackson Road to the southerly limit of
Commissioners Road East;

THENCE easterly along the southerly limit of Commissioners Road East to the easterly limit of
Airport Road;

THENCE northerly along the easterly limit of Airport Road to the southerly limit of River Road;

THENCE easterly along the southerly limit of River Road to the easterly limit of Crumlin Road;

THENCE northerly along the easterly limit of Crumlin Road to the northerly limit of Huron
Street;

THENCE westerly along the northerly limit of Huron Street to the easterly limit of Clarke Road;

THENCE northerly along the easterly limit of Clarke Road to the northerly limit of Fanshawe
Park Road East;

THENCE westerly along the northerly limit of Fanshawe Park Road East to the easterly limit of
Highbury Avenue North;

THENCE northerly along the easterly limit of Highbury Avenue North to the point of
commencement.

As Amended by
By-Law No. Date Passed at Council
PW-7 June 21, 1999

 

Last modified:Wednesday, October 20, 2021