Discharging a (blank) round for July 4th

[SleazyRider]

Just curious: If somebody rams up a blank charge in a black powder firearm using paper wadding (or even in a metallic cartridge firearm for that matter) but uses no projectile, could that still be considered unlawful discharge of a weapon if a community has such a prohibition?
What about firing caps in a BP firearm (or primers in metallic cartridges) with no charge at all?

 

[Rail Driver]

I wouldn't chance it, as it could easily be mistaken. Personally, I'm going out of town to the country for the 4th where I plan to shoot all of my guns, and with live ammo, until the sun goes down. Happy Independence Day!

 

[mgmorden]

There's a good chance it would. Why not spend a few dollars on a pack of firecrackers for the same effect?

BTW, if your response to that last question is that fireworks (or setting them off) are/is illegal in your area, then bump that "good chance" mentioned previously up to a "virtual certainty".

 

[NMBrian]

Total State Wide ban on fireworks out here in New Mexico with all our fires going on. Not sure about firing blanks, why not give your local police department/sheriffs office a call? Im sure they would give you a straight answer.

 

[SleazyRider]

Yes, I suppose you're right about the fireworks comparison. But I figured that unlawful discharge laws were created due to the danger of a stray projectile, not because of the noise. The noise factor of sixty grains of black powder in a Hawken rifle is certainly not in the same league as a pack of firecrackers. It's a mighty big kaboom!

 

[SleazyRider]

Actually, what piqued my interest in this subject was the suggestion in my black powder owner's manual to shoot blank caps in the gun to clear the breech area and nipple of foreign substances. Sure, it can be done at the range, but in the event of hunting, one does not want to fire blanks in the woods.

 

[CapnMac]

Don't know from NYS, but here in central Texas, this specific year?
We are as dry as NM. 16-18" behind seasonal rainfall, and 6-8" behind year-to-date.
Professional fireworks shows have been canceled in about a 15 county radius.

Just two weeks ago ,the county due south of me lost 4400 acres to fires. 30 homes, and 32 other structures lost; about 40-50 families homeless; and at least 150 head of assorted live stock gone. Week ago Tuesday, with the fires burning, we had a heaven-sent 2" of rain. Which is why we are only 6-7" behind ytd.

Pretty much all the county commissioners have forbidden the fireworks stands to even open. Much talk of no welding without prior notice, too.

But, all LE, and every FD and VFD will be driving around here through the entire w/e--there are going to be some very surprised folk who pop off rounds (or pyro) when First Responders roll up in under-charitable dispositions.

 

[hermannr]

We can not have an fireworks, ever, up here (fire danger) (DNR and fire district rules), so everyone uses shotguns on the 4th, and/or we go down to Oroville to watch the community fireworks over the lake...

I could see BP being great, no need to waste a ball, just powder and wad would do fine. Great flamethrower/noise maker.

Of course, if you live where you cannot discharge a firearm? things might be different than here where we can shoot all we want, just no fireworks.

 

[MedWheeler]

In Florida, even a starter pistol is considered a firearm when it comes to gun laws regarding carry and possession. I would imagine discharging one in a situation in which discharging a gun designed to fire live ammunition would be prohibited might be as prohibited as well, though I don't know for sure. After all, I know of no written exceptions to the law that specifically allows discharge of a starter pistol at athletic events, or the discharge of blank-loaded rifles or shotguns for law enforcement or military memorial ceremonies.
Also, BP guns add the uncertainty of not being "firearms" in the law if they are of, or replicate guns that are of, historical vintage (can't remember the year they cannot have been made after, or be replicas of guns made after.)

 

[refrey]

No Proof

Honest Officer, it was only a blank. I can prove it!

 

[tpelle]

Actually I'm thinking about loading my 1860 Army with about 24 grains of powder, filling the chamber iwth cream of wheat, ramming it down, filling it with cream of wheat again, and ramming that down. I understand it makes a pretty good blank.

If you're talking about firing a cap on an empty chamber, preparatory to going into the woods for hunting, then I would think you would be OK. A percussion cap is hardly louder than a child's cap gun, and certainly quieter than a firecracker - or one of those little Jap cars with a fart-can muffler and the radio tuned to a radio station with the bass turned up.

If you have to you could probably just pop 'em off inside the house - maybe in your shower or something. Hmmm.....I wonder about sticking the muzzle an inch or so down into the bathtub full of water.......think I'll try it when the wife's not home.

 

[Art Eatman]

Sleazy Rider, you're likely best off to call and ask at your local law enforcement office. In a city, it might be an anti-noise ordinance which says, "Uh-uh." Less likely to be a problem outside city limits.