Is it legal to fire a gun in a developed area outside of city limits?

[Anna's Dad]

I know you generally can't shoot a gun in city limits. If you live outside of city limits what are the restrictions? Does it vary by county? By state? How do you find out what the laws are in your area?

I live in a fairly rural part of town (acre-plus lots, well water, septic systems) but is in developed. There are a number of homes and, in fact, there are even a number of associated communities.

I occasionally hear gun fire that doesn't sound like its that far away. I'm guessing someone with a little more acreage than myself has setup a private range for themselves.

Just curious as to the legalities of firing a gun in a developed area that is outside of city limits.

 

[Jason_G]

I'm sure it varies from area to area. Most likely, this would fall under the county/parish court's jurisdiction, but possibly the state's. You'll have to look up the laws where you're at. Probably a hundred people will get on here and post "In my county....", which does you zero good. You need to check it out for yourself.

Jason

 

[bluetopper]

Outside of city limits I would think it would be legal, but I'd call the Sheriff's Dept. and ask them first.

 

[Sunray]

"...Does it vary by county? By state? How do you find out what the laws are in your area?..." Yep. Talk to your local municipality/county. However, I suspect you'll find that any developed area, anywhere, will be no discharging of firearms at all. You might find the local rules on the municipality's web site if they have one.

 

[sacp81170a]

Arkansas has state laws regarding the knowing discharge of firearms toward dwellings but, as always, check the laws in your locality first. Sad that they have to legislate what should be common sense.

 

[MD_Willington]

In my area there are some huge homesteads, luckily I have friends that own 10+ acre properties, some of them own 100+ acres in various places. I'm in a farm land area, so there quite often is people shooting, for recreation or for animal control. We have rolling hills of varying height here, some may be 5' some 50+' so there are a lot of natural berms...

 

[Alphazulu6]

Every area outside of a major city has some type of laws and regulations regarding everything (they either adopt the city they are near or create/modify their own). You can never ever "assume" that the laws are any different or the same as the areas around it. You have to check with the local Municipality for the terms and laws that govern the area (especially if they have incorporated themselves in anyway.... then it gets very tricky). Good luck!

 

[GlowinPontiac]

i live in a rural area that is becoming more and more suburban by the minute.
5 years ago you could walk out in the woods just about anywhere and shoot and nobody cared as long as you did it safely. now all the yuppies with no respect for property boundaries are moving in and think nothing if there "nature hike" takes them through somebodys private range on their own land or if they walk right through a wildlife management area on opening day of hunting season.

its still legal as long as you are not within 500 feet of somebodys house but people will still call the police or feel the need to scream at you because they almost got shot while they trespass through your property.

i have one friend whos grandfather lets us shoot on his land and one place on a river floodplane that is basically a "free space" where people do whatever they want including shooting and 4 wheeling usually at the same time as most of the atv riders could care less if they ride between you and the natural berm while people are shooting.