Outside city limits, what's the deal

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armedpolak

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So I spoke with few guys from my local gun shop, and they told me I can't just go outside of town, into the "woods" and shoot my guns there. Or even plink cans with .22LR Ruger I want to get :D

What's up with that? I thought this was a free country:uhoh: Any of you guys have some experience doing that? Do you know any obscure areas here in south florida where you *can* do that without being arrested???

Thanks,
AP
 
Around Houston, any land you go out to is likely private and there is not likely to be a good backstop or enough distance to start shooting. However, there are rifle ranges and gun clubs available.
 
You're going to have to be a little more specific. Those "woods" belong to someone and most people don't appreciate armed strangers trespassing on their property. If it's public land (country, state, or federal), you'll have to find out which set of rules apply to it and whether shooting is allowed.
 
Armed,
I am in South Florida and those days of going out in the woods and shooting are long gone, unless I am mistaken. I believe it is usually a county ordinance not a city ordinance since once you are outside of the city you land in county territory.
 
I do all my pistol shooting on public land in Wisconsin. I use a few of these forest units as they're closer to my home than the closest "shooting range".

As the law states I must be at least 300 feet from any roadway or parking areas of the forest unit, and considering all the equipment I'd like to use (shooting bench, rifle, stapler, target backing, ammunition, spotting scope...etc), it's a real pain to shoot rifle other than plinking with a .22 or hunting. Therefore, if I need to sight in a rifle, or do some sort of precision bench rest shooting, I go to an actual shooting range.

Generally, if you're allowed to hunt on public land, I would imagine you're also allowed to target shoot in the same area. At least that would make sense... but you better check the laws as suggested by others.
 
In Texas you sure can go out of town and shoot: Outside the city limits and don't shoot across a road. That's all there is to it.

And lots of people here in El Paso go out in the desert regularly...I go to Red Sands to the East of town, others go out Santa Theresa, NM, way, to the West. Just need to watch out for ATVs and such.

I much prefer that to shooting ranges...too many damn rules and regulations.

And yes, all that "safety rules" crap is HIGHLY overrated as well as higly annoying (no, I'm not kidding). I only apply the "safety rules" I used in a combat situation...no muss, no fuss.

Now, who wants to come out and shoot with me some time?

;)

-- John D.
 
Some counties in Florida have ordinances banning the discharge of any firearm unless you're at a shooting range, or engaged in a lawful act such as hunting or self defense. At least Broward, Palm Beach, and Collier counties do. There's a private shooting club way out in the boonies where you could go and shoot without all the organized "no rapid fire, no draw and fire, only one round in the mag at a time" rules. Last I heard, the lady that runs the place had been hit real hard by the hurricanes last year. I don't know what her status is. If you have a yen, sign on to the Florida Shooter's Network and do a search for "Pop's Hunt Club".
 
Being in Michigan I can only relate to how it works here. If you have a valid hunting license you can target shoot on state land at anytime; and oddly enough you are allowed to ignore safety zone restrictions.
 
Martin,
In Connecticut you can't go out into the state forest and shoot either. It's not that the state has some conspiracy against gun owners (at least on this issue), but rather as a measure to try and prevent unlawful hunting.
 
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