Air gun laws in your state

[Joncooper]

Sunday after noon and after doing some target shooting and nothing worthwhile on tv  ,  I thought i would read up on VA air gun laws and I have to say It's a pretty interesting read . I digress just for a moment , some time around the late 70s In the UK I was prosecuted by a land owner for trespassing with a firearm my " firearm " of choice back then was BSA Air sporter any way long story short , I read with interest that with in the state of VA air arms are NOT classed as fire arms. Also It is legal to shoot on your own property providing the projectile doesn't leave your property , which Is nice to know If a nose neighbor call the police . Nothing was said about noise levels so technically ALL airguns are back yard friendly . 

I guess different states have different laws but its worth a read .

[wwonka]

There is plenty said about noise levels - just in other statutes related to NOISE. That would include drum circles, chainsaws, parties, home made explosives - and yes, Sumatra .25s.

But, yes, the statutes in VA do let you shoot airguns, provided you don't violate any other statutes (see above). Best thing is just to be a good neighbour.

[Booger]

I do not care what my neighbors think. LOL I live in the country (out of city limits). Just the other day one neighbor shot another neighbors dog with an air rifle. Not my business, but both are too scared to call the police because they are undocumented. They shoot my dog I will call 911 and INS.

[fortyshooter]

Sunday after noon and after doing some target shooting and nothing worthwhile on tv  ,  I thought i would read up on VA air gun laws and I have to say It's a pretty interesting read . I digress just for a moment , some time around the late 70s In the UK I was prosecuted by a land owner for trespassing with a firearm my " firearm " of choice back then was BSA Air sporter any way long story short , I read with interest that with in the state of VA air arms are NOT classed as fire arms. Also It is legal to shoot on your own property providing the projectile doesn't leave your property , which Is nice to know If a nose neighbor call the police . Nothing was said about noise levels so technically ALL airguns are back yard friendly . 

I guess different states have different laws but its worth a read .

Hey Joncooper! I'm not far from you,just down  I 95 South and I enjoy the great Va. air rifle laws   I have a nice 30 yd range layout with a substantial backstop, to enjoy safe backyard shooting. My neighbors are fine with it and one donates an endless supply of "beverage" cans for target use!! 

[Smoketown]

As Commonwealth of Pennsylvania game laws are so plainly written, it appears that you can't shoot 'NOTHIN' around here. (Locally pronounced, 'gnaw-thin'.)   

Please, please,PLEASE, someone tell me that I'm reading it wrong!!!   

Cheers,
Smoketown
(Recently transplanted from 'airgun friendly' Arizona.)

[AK73]

I can find no airgun laws in Kentucky...besides hunting laws which are pretty good.

[Joncooper]

As Commonwealth of Pennsylvania game laws are so plainly written, it appears that you can't shoot 'NOTHIN' around here. (Locally pronounced, 'gnaw-thin'.)   

Please, please,PLEASE, someone tell me that I'm reading it wrong!!!   

Cheers,
Smoketown
(Recently transplanted from 'airgun friendly' Arizona.)

Smoketown....I really feel for ya mate , I lived in Arizona for awhile and really loved the desert all that space to shoot in and nobody around for miles ...Awsome

[KzooRichie]

Michigan has wacky firearm laws.  As I understand them: A gun w/ a rifled barrel < 30" which shoots a .177 or larger projectile is a firearm.  My 1377 is reqistered with the sheriff.  A muzzleloader is not a firearm?  You can open carry in a school, but only if you have a concealed carry (called CPL in MI) permit. 

My understanding is shooting on your own prorerty is a local thing.... I even had a member of my LGC tell me I was breaking the law and subject to arrest for shooting in my basement :-/.  I live in a sub, shooting on my property is not practical. I'd have to check my township rules to see if it is illegal, but I'd bet it's not.

[Bullit]

KzooRichie.  I can tell you any "powder powered" muzzleloader is considered as a "Firearm".  It makes "Fire". That's the bottom line.
   As far as your local subdivision goes...make sure that they understand the bylaws, just as you should.  "They", should be able to show you the violation, which could be by following your local sherrff, county ordinance.
The deal about "Noise"...is a real toughy...and very subjective.  Be careful unless you have paperwork to argue with the fine public officer that pays you a visit.
I know it not worthy guys...but let's educate ourselves so we can educate others

[K.O.]

Well for the noise laws I am more in danger of breaking them with my Mesa Rectifier or 6505+, and air rifle in the back yard are legal in my town...

it is the Wa. hunting laws that  worry me.

[c2k5]

State laws are one thing, local laws are another. Air rifles are classed as firearms in my city cause punk @@@ kids shooting out car windows.

[wimpanzee]

We are enjoying a wider adoption in Missouri. This year they opened deer season with airguns, considered "alternate weapons" with blackpowder, bows and atlatls for the extended deer season. .40 cal and above only, which rules out a lot of nice 9mm...but I still ordered a 909s for this year!

We can hunt just about anything except duck and turkey. I imagine they might open up on turkeys soon, too. No reason you can't throw a .22 or .25 into their head.

Also, in Missouri, this is the only reason I have airguns, is they are NOT considered firearms - so felons like me can safely own them. Yeah, I screwed up as a teenager, and its a black mark on my permanent record, but thankfully I can still stalk the woods with an airgun.

In my city (Kansas City) we are technically prohibited from discharging anything that creates a projectile, but with the large hill behind my house for a backstop, nice neighbors, and a quiet marauder, no one complains. I'm sure if I busted out the 909, someone would say something - I take that bad boy to the range. Now, just writing this, I wonder how quiet a sumatra with an LDC would be...

[josixpack]

I'd call your local police department and ask if you want to be sure. 

I checked our city's website and under the City Ordinance for Firearms it states that it is legal to shoot on your own property providing the projectile doesn't leave your property and is captured in a safe manner like a pellet trap or something similar.

My mother-in-law works for the states attorney's office and said it was illegal to shoot a air gun in town when she found out I was shooting in my back yard.  I showed her the City Ordinance but she still disagreed with me.  I called local police department and they said NO I could not shoot an air gun in city limits.  He said if a neighbor calls and complains they will come and arrest.

[N6CRV]

KzooRichie, I'm just a couple Counties East of you and we do have some strange Laws. Seems like a lot of sellers can't get it right. I can order a .177 rifle from PA and they will ship it no trouble. But if I want the same gun as a refub direct from Crosman they say can't ship to Mi. Can also order SOME pellets from WallyWorld in both .22 or .177 but not all, some will say can't ship even to the store for pick-up.

Lucky I'm on our City Council as a couple years ago some wanted to ban all BB Guns, Bows from being shot in the city. After a good "discussion" I was able to get that dropped. Then some thought OK lets get our Police to check your backstop to make sure it is safe and give their OK. When asked how many have been shot by a arrow on record, NONE! If we have the Police say it is safe and someone does get hurt then it comes back on the City as we said it was safe. That failed also. Some times we just need to leave things alone.

So if you move East some you can shoot your BB/pellet guns and also your Bows without being arrested. I have shot my 45 in the basement and no one said anything. Well not true my Wife sure did!
Don

[KzooRichie]

I don't worry about getting arrested.  I don't shoot in my yard.  I just don't have the space.

As far as my basement goes, I can't imagine anyone caring or finding out.  I'm not going to bother to check the legalities. I'm not really a scofflaw, but that's just crazy.

My LGC is in the process of building a dedicated airgun range.  It should be finished in the next few weeks.  It's our goal to have one of the nations best airgun ranges. If you read that other forum, you will see pretty regular updates.   We have a ton of airgun shoots.  Head west for one and we'll give you the red carpet treatment.

[f4milytime]

Where Im at, you can't let the projectile leave your property. A sufficient backstop is necessary of course, but none of that matters if the officer wants to arrest you.

[Joncooper]

I don't worry about getting arrested.  I don't shoot in my yard.  I just don't have the space.

As far as my basement goes, I can't imagine anyone caring or finding out.  I'm not going to bother to check the legalities. I'm not really a scofflaw, but that's just crazy.

My LGC is in the process of building a dedicated airgun range.  It should be finished in the next few weeks.  It's our goal to have one of the nations best airgun ranges. If you read that other forum, you will see pretty regular updates.   We have a ton of airgun shoots.  Head west for one and we'll give you the red carpet treatment.

I wish some one would build a dedicated air gun rang In the Richmond VA area. Im sure people would pay good money to be able to use It .

[Habanero69er]

Here in Florida, the laws against airguns, BB guns, slingshots, pea shooters, etc. are pretty much non-existent, with one exception...St Augustine. The USA's oldest city is doesn't allow any of the fore mentioned items inside the city limits.

[Minuteman]

On my property here in Maine, I could probably fire a howitzer and nobody would bat an eye.  Seriously though, out here in the country nobody bothers you. Airguns are not considered firearms. I did find this one law, which as far as I know is not enforced with any regularity.

"Maine prohibits giving, selling, offering to sell, or furnishing a child under the age of sixteen with an air pistol or air rifle."

I'm not sure how long that has been on the books. This is one law that I'm sure is broken quite a bit.

[FrozenVapors]

Im up here in Canada eh! Anything over 500fps is considered a full blown firearm eh. We need a Possesion license for these guns here. But thats what Canada is all aboot eh!