Link to ballot results: http://www.townofdanville.org/documents/SKMBT_C36415031020500.pdf
This matters because there is town property that has been used for public shooting.
Thing is, the town does not have the authority to do this.
Here are the RSA's they state give them the power to ban shooting on town property.
And then we have RSA 159 which oddly the warrant article cites as granting the town the authority to ban shooting on town property. This is odd because 159:26 does the exact opposite.
Shooting on town land is a "use" for a firearm and thus falls under state jurisdiction.
This matters because there is town property that has been used for public shooting.
Thing is, the town does not have the authority to do this.
Here are the RSA's they state give them the power to ban shooting on town property.
http://gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/III/31/31-39.htm31:39 Purpose and Penalties. –
I. Towns may make bylaws for:
(a) The care, protection, preservation and use of the public cemeteries, parks, commons, libraries and other public institutions of the town;
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XVIII/207/207-59.htm207:59 Exclusive Authority of the State. – The state of New Hampshire shall have exclusive authority and jurisdiction over the management, preservation, protection, propagation and taking of wildlife in the state. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision may regulate the management, preservation, protection, propagation and taking of wildlife. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting a political subdivision's property rights concerning land owned and controlled by that entity.
And then we have RSA 159 which oddly the warrant article cites as granting the town the authority to ban shooting on town property. This is odd because 159:26 does the exact opposite.
159:26 Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives; Authority of the State. –
I. To the extent consistent with federal law, the state of New Hampshire shall have authority and jurisdiction over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, firearms supplies, or knives in the state. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision may regulate the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting a political subdivision's right to adopt zoning ordinances for the purpose of regulating firearms or knives businesses in the same manner as other businesses or to take any action allowed under RSA 207:59.
II. Upon the effective date of this section, all municipal ordinances and regulations not authorized under paragraph I relative to the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearm components, ammunition, firearms supplies, or knives shall be null and void.
Shooting on town land is a "use" for a firearm and thus falls under state jurisdiction.