Shooting on your own property

[armedpolak]

Up here in NY state on my Dad's property in Catskills, I can freely shoot a rifle, as long as there is no other home within 500 feet. When I'm there, I constantly hear gun shots, those lucky neighbors.

How is it in other states? What if I get an acre outside of Orlando. Where can I shoot in other states. What are the rules about discharging a hang gun or rifle on ones own property accross the US.

 

[jman74]

Here in CT it's the 500 foot rule, with a safe backstop. I believe there's a provision about no livestock being around. I'm on 12 acres with a safe backstop and nothing but swamp and cornfields around, so I'm good.

 

[ArmedBear]

It can vary by city, county, etc., in addition to by state.

 

[Car Knocker]

In addition to the governmental restrictions noted by ArmedBear, there may be deed restrictions or CC&Rs that prohibit shooting on private property.

 

[Chipperman]

MA state is not within 500 feet of an oocupied dwelling, unless you have their permission.

There are towns that have more restrictive rules, though. Some towns have ordinances against any discharge of firearms.

 

[BigFatKen]

In WI you must not shoot within 100 yards while on lands of another. This is big. Here in Alabama its similiar, So, I can shoot across the street of my neighbor while on my land. Otherwise, one little house could control 100 yards into another man's land.

 

[Twycross]

No shooting within 1/4 mile of a residence w/out permission in ID.

 

[Wayne02]

Hmm, interesting. Anybody happen to know about Washington state? Lewis county (no city/towns etc, just county) in specific?

Wayne

 

[Molon Labe]

I'm not aware of any restrictions in Ohio. Hell, I've shot from my front porch...

 

[Taurus 66]

Am I a lucky neighbor?

I constantly hear gun shots, those lucky neighbors.

I moved into this house 11/2004. It's a gunner's dream!

I'm on 1 acre of land with a dairy farm behind me. I have written permission to use the land for target practice or hunt chucks (fun time). It's 100 acres and though it is open land, I'm still careful not to shoot in the direction of his grazing cattle or property ... wouldn't want to ruin a good thing.

Plus I get to pick and use as much of whatever he's growing in the year beit sweet corn, peas in the pod, green beans, soy beans ... kinda like rewarding for killin' those pesky chucks. I say "win win".

 

[M2 Carbine]

In Texas it's pretty much, don't shoot in town and don't shoot anybody out of town.

I've had a pistol range in the backyard and a 100 yard rifle range in the woods since 67.
I shoot most every day.

The closest houses are about 200 feet away.

There's 4 or 5 other people around here I hear shooting.

 

[toivo]

Keep the "safe backstop" in mind--I remember reading somewhere that you're obligated to make sure all the rounds end up on your own property, too. I'm not sure which state this was in reference to, but it sounds like something that would be pretty universal.

 

[Michael Courtney]

There are no restrictions in Ohio, and I have shot deer out of an upstairs window. Coyotes and groundhogs too. There is no specification for distance from a residence or building.

Michael Courtney

 

[dfaugh]

I'm in Upstate NY as well, just the western part of it. Besides the "500 ft from and occupied dwelling" you also may not shoot across a road, or a railroad right of way. But, you'll also find that most of the suburban towns don't allow the discharge of firearms at all. I'm just far enough from a major city that it IS allowed, and I have 10 acres, so I can shoot if I like. However, that STILL doesn't prevent the neighbors from complaining, and causing you some grief. But as long as you do it safely, there's not much they can do about it.

 

[HerrWolfe]

Legal here....provided you have backstop, do not fire at building or people, don't make noise at night (don't remember exact hours). Agree with this 100% and sometimes fire weapon, from 30 cal to .45 to shotgun but .22 frequently for practice.

 

[TallPine]

no restrictions in MT that i know of outside city limits

(well, except for shooting from or across public roads, game laws, etc)

i have a little pistol range right out back of the house a ways. natural bowl with hills on three sides, and an old decrepit rabbit hutch and stumps for target holders

 

[Chuck R.]

I’ve put in my own range on 40 acres I bought last year. By digging into a hill for a back-stop and shooting down the length of my pond dam, I now have a 30 meter pistol range, a bench at 200 meters and target holder for 100 meters. The hill gives me about a 20ft berm total. I graveled in the pistol range and dug in the bench so it’s very solid. I’ve been buying commercial made armor plate targets as time (and my wife) allows. My future plans are to finish the 300 meter line (out the back door once I build the house) and later add a Turkey Swinger at 385 meters by putting in another firing point at an angle.

I’ve now burned through about a lifetime of renewals at my rifle club, but it’s mine and I can do what I want, when I want.

Before starting I read up on the local regulations and whatever range building plans I could find. Be careful and do the research where you live. Some counties actually classify private ranges as “commercial” by the frequency of use, and if non-relatives use it. IF you do get tagged with the “commercial” label you can end up with inspections and extra insurance. I’ve had a few offers to rent mine for a couple local firearms trainers, but I really don’t want to go there. Checkout both the county regs, and if your within city limits or close. Also watch out for watersheds due to lead!

Chuck

 

[jjohnson]

Varies Everywhere.

Yeah, it does. Or, to use that answer I often do but really do hate, IT DEPENDS

I live in Minnesota, just outside city limits. I have a 300 foot rule, and that's a Minnesota statute. Being outside the city limits, I can shoot on my property within 300 feet of somebody else's building. I have 3 acres, so there's places on my property I'm within 300 feet of somebody else's dwelling, so I have "ok" and "no-no" zones on my property. I also have to live with the "disturbing the peace" ordnances, so no, I can't discharge a 105mm howitzer all night long even on the "ok" spots :banghead: That's why I am keenly interested in quiet loads for rimfire and centerfire (I'm big time into reloading).

Remember - not only to you have state and local ordnances to watch out for, there are LOTS of "homeowner's covenants" that put further restrictions on you, and that "disturbing the peace" stuff should be taken seriously. It's most often just not worth it irritating your neighbors. It makes it very worthwhile to consider quiet ammunition (okay, THAT is a relative term) and having a good look at your laws concerning the legal possession and use of silencers.

Good luck to you!

 

[EvisceratorSrB]

You're lucky. I wish I could shoot within my COUNTY! I live in LA county (figures) and every time I go out for a good shoot, it's a 30 minute drive to the next county. Only shotguns can be fired within LA county limits. Pistols/Rifles are a no go.

 

[Exposure]

I've got 17 acres here in Maine and it is pretty much do as you want. The next neighbor down the road is now a close friend and he and I shoot in my backyard all the time.

Everything from .22 to centerfire rifles of all calibers. Even the occasional bottle of Tannerite. It pretty much sounds like WWII in my backyard a lot and no one gives us a second glance.

The local Sheriff even stopped by personally to meet me before signing my Form 4's for a machine gun. He has a standing invitation to come over and shoot, he's a very nice guy.

While I do miss some of the advantages of living in a big city I like it here in the sticks much better!

 

[Furncliff]

Colorado residents care to chime in?
We're considering a move there, somewere in the south west corner..


Here in Va. I have 60a and a range located so that I bother my neighbors as little as pos. Shoot alot of .22 and some 9mm but have avoided getting a .45 just because of the noise. One of my neighbors deer hunts, the other 2-3 don't.

 

[Lupinus]

depends on the state.

But also in a lot of places if you are within city limits you can be screwed even if you own a bit of land and consider it country.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I'm one of the lucky one's also. I have an open invitation from my neighbor who has a 90 acre ranch. I can go up there and pretty much shoot anytime I want too. The nearest house to him is at least 500 feet up the road. Between his ranch and the other homes, is a grassy base, rocky bluff that rises about 600 above his house. He has a makeshift shooting range set up at the bottom of this bluff, where it is grassy. How's that for a backstop? If someone complained about my shooting, or the noise.....I'd tell them to "get bent". I have the permission of the property owner, on private property.