Thank you very much. that helps
hungry seagull, i am actually "wanting to defend against a larger two or 4 legged pest"
Most of the "laws" on discharge of airguns and firearms are ordinances. Those ordinances are often worded so that it is not allowed.
You however can freely discharge either in self defense or "to defend against a larger two or 4 legged pest".
You actualy don't want to "defend against a larger two or 4 legged pest", you want to recreationaly shoot a critter. How is "defend" defined under your law? Is there any case law that sets various precedents on what that means and changes the definition?
That can completely change the meaning of any law.
Absent that, no.
Ordinances usualy outlaw recreational or sport discharge. Self defense is still fine. You are not defending yourself from squirrels hoping around your lawn or in trees. Strictly speaking you may even need a hunting license to take such animals if you really want to get asinine. Meaning it could also be a violation of your hunting laws, making you an illegal poacher. Shooting small game in your own backyard, game considered property of the state, without a license when one is required or out of season or exceeding legal bag limits even with a license would be a crime.
Poaching is a felony many places.
A large number of cities, towns and unincorporated areas across the US have any airgun discharge outlawed. Even some in remote rural locations where everyone has several acres of property. It is rarely enforced in many locations but is still illegal. A lot has changed since Ralphie wanted his BB gun in A Christmas Story, or even when such a movie plot was considered mainstream (1983.)
