Charter and Ordinances of the City of Bridgeport: as Amended and Adopted 194 (1874)

CHAPTER XXV. An Ordinance Relative to Gunpowder and Explosive Substances. Be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Bridgeport: SEC. 1. No person shall have, or keep for sale or for any other purpose, within the limits of this city, any quantity of gunpowder or gun-cotton, exceeding one pound in weight; no person shall have, keep for sale, use, or other purpose, within the city limits, any quantity of nitro-glycerine, or other explosive substances or compounds exceeding six ounces, without special license thereof from the common council. No person shall transport any gunpowder through said city without a permit first had and obtained from the fire marshal, and in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be established by said fire marshal. No person shall, within said city, place, receive, or have any gunpowder on board of any steamboat used for the carrying of passengers, with intent to transport the same therein. SEC. 2. The common council may, from time to time, and for such period as they may see fit, license such persons as they deem proper, to have, receive and keep for sale or use, at such place within the city limits as may be designated by said council, gunpowder, in quantity not exceeding at any one time fifty pounds. Every person or firm so licensed shall give notice thereof by placing in a conspicuous position in the front of the building where such gunpowder may be kept or deposited, a sign with the words “Licensed to sell Gunpowder,” printed in capital letters thereon; and shall also provide and keep a suitable copper, tin or zinc chest marked in front and on the top in capital letters with the word “gunpowder,” which chest shall be approved by the fire marshal, and made with two strong handles, a tight lid or cover with hinges and secured with a padlock and key of copper or brass. Said chest shall be kept locked except when open to put in or take out powder, which shall be done as speedily as may be consistent with proper care; shall be placed on the lower floor at the right side of, and within six feet of the principal door or entrance from the street, and shall not be kept in any other place. SEC. 3. The city clerk shall keep a record of all licenses granted for the keeping, selling or storing gunpowder, the time when the same will expire, and the place where such powder is to be kept; and shall notify the chief engineer of the fire department and fire marshal of such license granted, and the place designated for keeping such powder in each case; and said engineer shall cause a statement containing the names of the persons licensed, and the place where such powder is to be kept, to be placed and maintained in each engine, hose and hook and ladder house within the city. SEC. 4. Whenever any person shall desire to have, keep for sale, use, or other purposes, any quantity of nitro-glycerine, or other similar explosive substances or compounds, exceeding in quantity six ounces, or any quantity of gun-cotton exceeding one pound in weight, the common council may grant permission therefor, under such conditions and limitations as they may deem proper in each particular case. The fire marshal may enter at all reasonable times into or upon the premises of any persons licensed to keep or sell gunpowder, nitro-glycerine, gun-cotton or other similar explosive substances or compounds, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the requirements of this ordinance and the regulations of the common council relating thereto, are strictly complied with. SEC. 5. Every person who shall be guilty of the breach of any provision of this ordinance, or the conditions of any license granted pursuant to the same, shall forfeit and pay for each offense the sum of fifty dollars, for the use of said city. And every person who shall transport gunpowder, nitro-glycerine, gun-cotton or other similar explosive substances or compounds through any portion of the city, for the purpose of shipment or transportation to some other place, without a permit from the fire marshal, or who shall fail to comply with any order or regulation of the fire marshal respecting such transportations, shall forfeit and pay for each offense the sum of one hundred dollars, for the use of said city. Adopted, February 1, 1875.