And the feds came rolling up

[thrilldo higgins]

is it legal to shoot in a place oh, say, a desert of arizona, legally? please advise. i heard at least a quarter mile from any residental dwelling, is there any validation to this?

i'm just curious

 

[Creeping Incrementalism]

Doing a quick web search...

At http://www.sam-hane.com/sass/azlegal.htm I found a link to http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/03107.htm which says it is illegal in municipalities (city/town) with a few exceptions, but I don't see anything about it being illegal anywhere else. So as long as you are not within city limits, I don't see any laws against it.

I don't know much about Arizona, but in California we also have county laws to worry about sometimes.

If you are out in the desert on BLM or National Forest land, you should be okay. But check with other Arizona shooters first!

 

[gezzer]

In a National forest a group of 2 people require a 300 foot distance before shooting whether you know they are there or not, also includes any structure that here in the NH white Mountains may consist of a fire circle in the forest way away from trails roads etc.

I still cannot find where the Federal gov may own property for other than forts and courts in the constitution, but if you go against their rules plan on being STOMPED

 

[Rexrider]

is it legal to shoot in a place oh, say, a desert of arizona, legally? please advise. i heard at least a quarter mile from any residental dwelling, is there any validation to this?

Yes, this is correct as long as you are not in any city limits that have a local ordinance against it. As I understand it, if the town or city is incorporated, then no shooting is allowed (as a rule of thumb). BLM land is not restricted as long as you are a 1/4 mile from any structures.

A Pinal County Sheriff has validated this when he... uh.... greeted us on the way out of BLM land on two separate occasions. The reason he had to "greet" us was because someone near the BLM called in a complaint. That person was new to the area and was not aware of the law. My understanding is that person was informed that person to stop calling after the second visit.

There were no problems when we were greeted. We were asked if we were the ones shooting. We questioned why we had been stopped and the Sheriff told us why. He then told us we did nothing illegal and to be safe and enjoy ourselves on both occasions.

I have not been greeted since then.

 

[gunsmith]

I thought you were not allowed

to be out in the desert of AZ unless you were shooting!

I think the rule is, that you'll get in trouble if it's a Glock.
Yeah, thats it...you are required to carry a 1911 or a Peacemaker

 

[unspellable]

Shooting in the Arzona desert

It's illegal to shoot a suguaro. There was a notable case of a guy shooting at the base of one until it fell over on him. A suguaro has nasty spines, a mature one will weigh a ton and a half. My daughter's comment? "Natural selection."

 

[Ira Aten]

Quote: "I still cannot find where the Federal gov may own property for other than forts and courts in the constitution, but if you go against their rules plan on being STOMPED"



It says they have the power to "establish Post Offices and Post Roads."

That is all I could find.

 

[armoredman]

"Arizona Gun Owners' Guide", great book. Lots of easy to read info.

 

[Baba Louie]

It says they have the power to "establish Post Offices and Post Roads."

Article I.8.17
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases
whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square)
as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of
Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United
States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places
purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in
which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines,
Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful buildings;

Article IV.3.2
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make
all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or
other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in
this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any
Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

I don't recall Arizona's Constitution, but I do know that Nevada, when granted Statehood, ceeded (sp?) ALL lands not already owned or incorporated into towns/cities (not many back in the 1860's eh?) back to the Federal Gov't. So the BLM "owns/manages" +/- 85% of all the land in Nevada. We go out shooting in the desert ALL the time. Safely too. National Parks are a no-no. Nat'l Forests, OK... just play it safe, safe, safe... cause a lot of people seem to enjoy the trees/shade/hiking/camping, etc... wouldn't be prudent to violate their rights/life, liberty, pursuit of happiness...

So, perhaps the Feds do have the right/power to "roll up" and see that all is well... ya think?

 

[Art Eatman]

The real world we live in has FedGov owning certain lands besides forts and such. And that's the end of that bit of thread drift.

Art

 

[WayneConrad]

Arizona is complicated. It's easy to take 10 steps and move from BLM land to state trust land.

State trust land, which there is a lot of, is prohibited to target shooting. You aren't even supposed to be on state trust land without a permit (a hunting license, for example). However, all of the state trust land I've seen is dotted with shooting pits.

City limits can be well beyond the city. Phoenix has city limits far out into the empty desert,--insane!--so it's easy to be surprised by that.

The Arizona Gun Owners Guide, recommended above, is a great book. You'll need a map that shows you which land is BLM, which is a county/state/federal park, which is national forest, which is state trust, and so on.

I suspect it would be helpful to take a formal education in law before target shooting in Arizona.

Please remember to clean up after yourself. If you use targets that are easy to clean up (tin cans) or leave yummy bits for the wildlife (animal crackers), you will be taking the high road.

 

[Rexrider]

Please remember to clean up after yourself. If you use targets that are easy to clean up (tin cans) or leave yummy bits for the wildlife (animal crackers), you will be taking the high road.

A big +1.

We always take a couple heavy duty trash bags with us. More times then not we end up picking up other people's trash as well. :banghead:

Side note: I love the see the look on anyone's face who looked through our trash after a day of shooting in the desert. Considering every item in the trash bags is riddled with holes.....lots and lots of holes.

 

[Technosavant]

Side note: I love the see the look on anyone's face who looked through our trash after a day of shooting in the desert. Considering every item in the trash bags is riddled with holes.....lots and lots of holes.

Your explanation might be even better. "Well, we REALLY hate litter..."

 

[seeker_two]

Rexrider: ...or just change your state's slogan to "Don't Mess with Arizona---WE REALLY MEAN IT!!!"

 

[Sheldon J]

Bumblebee

Do it all the time while on my mineing claim there. but I am carefull to keep it away from where I metal detect for GOLD!!!

 

[Destructo6]

is it legal to shoot in a place oh, say, a desert of arizona, legally? please advise. i heard at least a quarter mile from any residental dwelling, is there any validation to this?

Was there a specific place you have in mind?

 

[desertplinker]

Another thing to note is there is a current ban on target shooting on BLM land due to fire hazard. You will notice signs along the road heading into the hills out of town.

With that consideration:
BLM is allowed when following other precautions and restrictions.
State land trust is a no-no.
City limits a no-no.
Private land in county jurisdictions is ok. With land owners permission.

Bear in mind it's easy to cross boundaries into private or public land with no warning.

 

[WayneConrad]

Desertplinker, that's the perfect handle for this thread.

 

[RobXD9]

BIA

Keep in mind that Arizona is, like much of the southwest, full of Indian land.

That desert you're innocently shooting in may belong to a local pueblo or tribe etc.

Just another thought to keep you out of harms way.

Have fun!

Robert