legel shooting

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chairman26

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I live in Ripley county Missouri and own 20 acres approx 1/3 miles long and all backs into gov.forest. I wish to shoot firearms safely on my property and hearing gun shots are very common here. Having a neighbor as a jerk, can I get in trouble safely firing my guns here?
 
Check with a local attorney. Firearm laws vary by state, county, municipality, etc.
 
If you're in a third class County, as I am in Warren County, you'll not have any issues. That said, I'd make contact with your Sheriff and let him know you'll be shooting there so they don't dispatch any officers unnecessarily.
 
First off you have to make sure that you are only firing into a built up backstop that does not put any home into the line of fire. Be sure that the backstop is twice as tall as you are. It is preferable that you be shooting in a direction that makes it nearly impossible to miss the backstop.

Then talk to the Sheriff. Find out what the state rules are for proximity to other houses and that you're not within that limit.

Inform the Sheriff whenever you decide to use your range so you don't get any surprises.
 
While I understand the concept of "inform the Sherriff any time you use your range" it's going to get old for them. As said, the county is filled with the sound of gunfire as it is. One more isn't going to be out of the ordinary.

I live in a small town in SW MO and the sound of gunfire is a normal occurrence. It usually comes from a known undeveloped tract of land, or the former mined land used by the city for the PD (and I suspect, many others.)

Rural gunfire is normal - in fact, one of the major points in areas without extensive cattle ranching. People buy land so they can take their morning coffee out onto the back porch and pick off a coyote or just sit and enjoy life with a rifle at hand. Can't do that in the city.

Those are valid points about setting up and scoping out the lay of the land to make a "range" safe to use in regards to the neighbors. As for having a neighbor as a "jerk," tho, it may take some interaction if they are the ones constantly harassing you for disturbing their peace. Unlike the wealthy guy who sued the local drag strip that has been there since the 1950's, if you weren't shooting before he moved in, then it's a change they may take as being extremely negative and one that devalues their property. Not much different to them than applying for a land fill license in some minds. (The dragstrip won the suit hands down.)

The solution? Is a suppressor an option for you? It's what is considered being a good neighbor in Europe, and MO is quite free on their use, including hunting. Just the normal ATF hurdles.
 
The Sheriff of my county, Warren, as well as several of the deputies know I shoot on my property, so if someone were to report shooting they'd not be concerned about it.

The neighbors in my small subdivision all shoot on their property, so disturbing the peace isn't an issue here.
 
In Michigan I have to be 150 yards from any house to hunt.

I can target practice with no consideration of distance. Safety is the only real consideration. Plus any local ordinances baring firing a gun at all.
 
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1421519026.388013.jpg

I spent my morning on my 50 acre piece of heaven shooting steel from the bed of my pickup.

Same scenario as the OP, except I don't have whining neighbors. Gunfire is the norm around here in eastern NC. I don't inform the sheriff or check with my neighbors. I shoot into my land and in moderation, like everyone else.

So far, we've all managed to get along.

One day I will hopefully live out here and build a proper range.
 
hso said:
First off you have to make sure that you are only firing into a built up backstop that does not put any home into the line of fire. Be sure that the backstop is twice as tall as you are.
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I'm curious about "built up backstop".
Is that some requirement or just a suggestion?
I shoot on my remote land into a natural hill for a backstop.

A few years ago State Farm caused quite a local ruckus when they canceled some guy's home owner's insurance for shooting on his land.
 
I live in Missouri. No rules about shooting in proximity of homes in this state and third class counties can not make any rules related to this issue. The range suggestions made by another poster are merely sound suggestions and not law in Missouri. You may find you have a really good natural backstop on your property. The goal is to shoot in a spot where no rounds will leave your property, ever. Having your property back up to the National Forest is also a plus for you.

It is a beautiful day in the upper 50's here today. I have been hearing gunshots coming from all directions since mid-morning. My wife and I may do a little shooting on our own place in a few minutes.
 
If you live in the city call the police and ask them. If you live in a county find the county seat and call the sheriff. The police or sheriff are the ones that will come out and read you scripture and verse.

If someone complains they are going to come and check it out anyway even if it's legal. They are obligated to do that.
 
Here in rural SC, there is no issue unless the neighbors complain about the noise. But I am acquainted with the sheriff and most of the deputies. When someone calls them complaining about the shooting in our area, they call me to make sure it's actually me shooting on my property. Then they tell the caller that I am shooting safely into my berm, and that I am violating no laws.
 
Missouri takes care of it's gun owners better than most states. From our statutes related to noise from ranges:

"537.294 Firearm ranges--definitions--not to be deemed a nuisance, when--immunity from
civil and criminal liability, when.
1. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:
(1) "Firearm range", any rifle, pistol, silhouette, skeet, trap, black powder or other similar
range in this state used for discharging firearms in a sporting event or for practice or
instruction in the use of a firearm, or for the testing of a firearm;
(2) "Hunting preserve", any hunting preserve or licensed shooting area operating under a
permit granted by the Missouri department of conservation.
2. All owners and authorized users of firearm ranges shall be immune from any criminal and
civil liability arising out of or as a consequence of noise or sound emission resulting from the use
of any such firearm range. Owners and users of such firearm ranges shall not be subject to any
civil action in tort or subject to any action for public or private nuisance or trespass and no court
in this state shall enjoin the use or operation of such firearm ranges on the basis of noise or sound
emission resulting from the use of any such firearm range. Any actions by a court in this state to
enjoin the use or operation of such firearm ranges and any damages awarded or imposed by a
court, or assessed by a jury, in this state against any owner or user of such firearm ranges for
nuisance or trespass are null and void."
 
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