(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Air gun" means a hand pistol or rifle that propels its projectile by means of releasing compressed air, carbon dioxide, or other gas.

(2) "Firearm" has the same meaning as in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Spring-operated gun" means a hand pistol or rifle that propels a projectile not less than four or more than five millimeters in diameter by means of a spring.

(4) "Airport operational surface" means any surface of land or water that is developed, posted, or marked so as to give an observer reasonable notice that the surface is designed and developed for the purpose of storing, parking, taxiing, or operating aircraft, or any surface of land or water that is actually being used for any of those purposes.

(B) No person shall do either of the following:

(1) Knowingly throw an object at, or drop an object upon, any moving aircraft;

(2) Knowingly shoot with a bow and arrow, or knowingly discharge a firearm, air gun, or spring-operated gun, at or toward any aircraft.

(C) No person shall knowingly or recklessly shoot with a bow and arrow, or shall knowingly or recklessly discharge a firearm, air gun, or spring-operated gun, upon or over any airport operational surface. This division does not apply to the following:

(1) An officer, agent, or employee of this or any other state or the United States, or a law enforcement officer, authorized to discharge firearms and acting within the scope of the officer's, agent's, or employee's duties;

(2) A person who, with the consent of the owner or operator of the airport operational surface or the authorized agent of either, is lawfully engaged in any hunting or sporting activity or is otherwise lawfully discharging a firearm.

(D) Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of endangering aircraft, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the violation creates a risk of physical harm to any person, endangering aircraft is a felony of the fifth degree. If the violation creates a substantial risk of physical harm to any person or if the aircraft that is the subject of the violation is occupied, endangering aircraft is a felony of the fourth degree.

(E) Whoever violates division (C) of this section is guilty of endangering airport operations, a misdemeanor of the second degree. If the violation creates a risk of physical harm to any person, endangering airport operations is a felony of the fifth degree. If the violation creates a substantial risk of physical harm to any person, endangering airport operations is a felony of the fourth degree. In addition to any other penalty or sanction imposed for the violation, the hunting license or permit of a person who violates division (C) of this section while hunting shall be suspended or revoked pursuant to section 1533.68 of the Revised Code.

(F) Any bow and arrow, air gun, spring-operated gun, or firearm that has been used in a felony violation of this section shall be seized or forfeited, and shall be disposed of pursuant to Chapter 2981. of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 07-01-1996; 07-01-2007.