Featured Ordinance Spotlight

Law Enforcement Ordinance No. 7

Ordinance Prohibiting Discharging a Firearm Across Property Lines

WHEREAS, it is unlawful to discharge a firearm within the unincorporated area of Pitt County in such a manner that allows the projectile to leave the property from where it was fired, thereby crossing a property line into, over, or through any property of another person or legal entity. Such property may include, but is not limited to:a school, church, business, child care facility, sports complex, residence, mobile home park, campground, multi-family housing complex (such as townhomes, patio homes, condominiums, and apartments), medical facility, park, recreational area, open field or woodlands. No violation occurs when prior permission is obtained from a property owner, lessee or lawful agent of a legal entity that owns or controls each property that the projectile crossed into, over or through;

WHEREAS, this ordinance is enacted pursuant to N.C.G.S. 153A-129 which provides that a county may regulate, restrict, or prohibit the discharge of firearms at any time or place except in any of the following instances:

• When used to take birds or animals pursuant to Chapter 113, Subchapter IV.
• When used in defense of person or property.
• When used pursuant to lawful directions of law-enforcement officers.

WHEREAS, any person violating this ordinance shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $500 and/or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days. The County may also enforce this ordinance by one or more of the remedies authorized by N.C.G.S. 153A-123.

Definitions

Firearm – Any rifle, shotgun or handgun which expels a projectile by the ignition of gunpowder or by other explosive reaction.

Legal entity – Legal existence. An entity other than a natural person, who has sufficient existence in legal contemplation that it can function legally, be sued or sue and make decisions through agents as in the case of corporations. Black’s Law Dictionary, Fifth Edition, West Publishing Co. 1979

Projectile – The object that is discharged from a firearm commonly referred to as a bullet, shot, ball or pellet.

This Ordinance shall be effective on and after the date of adoption.
Adopted on April 7, 2025.

Law Enforcement Ordinance No. 8

Ordinance Prohibiting Discharging a Firearm at Night

WHEREAS, it is unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. within or into a residential area such as a densely populated subdivision, mobile home park, campground or multi-family housing complex (including duplexes, townhomes, condominiums, and apartments) in the unincorporated area of Pitt County;

WHEREAS, this ordinance is enacted pursuant to N.C.G.S. 153A-129 which provides that a county may regulate, restrict, or prohibit the discharge of firearms at any time or place except in any of the following instances:

• When used to take birds or animals pursuant to Chapter 113, Subchapter IV.
• When used in defense of person or property.
• When used pursuant to lawful directions of law-enforcement officers.

WHEREAS, any person violating this ordinance shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $500 and/or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days. The County may also enforce this ordinance by one or more of the remedies authorized by N.C.G.S. 153A-123.

Definitions

• Firearm – Any rifle, shotgun or handgun which expels a projectile by the ignition of gunpowder or by other explosive reaction.
• Densely populated subdivision – A subdivision approved and divided in accordance with Pitt County Ordinance 12 for the development of contiguous residential lots of which three or more have occupied residences belonging to separate owners.

This Ordinance shall be effective on and after the date of adoption.
Adopted on April 7, 2025.