Is it legal to target shoot on private property in rural area?

[akzl]

So I have a home on 12 acres that backs up to 5000 acres of BLM in an unincorporated area of San Diego since 1975 about 35 miles from the closest city. About 90 homes in a 5 mile radius. Have been target shooting for 35 years. I was told today that it is against the law to target shoot on my own property and it is only legal to shoot game??? Where would I look to verify this fact. Any help would be great. Thanks

[dantodd]

I am not aware of rules against target shooting in any area in which discharge is legal. Of course if it weren't your property the owners would have to agree and it has to be safe. (i.e. No throwing lead onto other people's property) There may be a "building within X feet law but I am not aware of it. I'm sure others with proper PC cites will give you more info.

The problem with these kinds of question in general is that EVERYTHING is legal unless there is a law or regulation against it. If someone tells you it's illegal they should be ready to give you the law making it so. (that being said it's an excellent question for this forum)

[akzl]

The problem with these kinds of question in general is that EVERYTHING is legal unless there is a law or regulation against it. If someone tells you it's illegal they should be ready to give you the law making it so. (that being said it's an excellent question for this forum)

That is exactly the lead that I need. For a high desert area sparsely populated and unincorporated, I have never heard of a specific law that approves shooting for game on your property but illegal to discharge a firearm for the purpose of target practice?

[wheels]

The only legal way is to invite lots of Calguns guys and call it a competition if anyone asks. Oh it would probably be more convincing if there was hot food and pretty girls. And an ammo shack.

yes this post is FUD...

[adamsreeftank]

Call the local sherif office. Most rural areas allow it, but maybe someone passed an ordinance that affects your property.

[akzl]

The only legal way is to invite lots of Calguns guys and call it a competition if anyone asks. Oh it would probably be more convincing if there was hot food and pretty girls. And an ammo shack.

yes this post is FUD...

Yeah we did allot of that in the 70' and 80's before we built the house. This fact came to me through a local sheriff, just trying to find out the exact code.

[akzl]

Call the local sherif office. Most rural areas allow it, but maybe someone passed an ordinance that affects your property.

Will do on Tuesday. I don't think there is any local ordinance. This area has always been San Diego County Sheriff's and rarely a local deal. Shooting in Anza Borrego, Ranchita and other areas has always been legal.

[GrizzlyGuy]

Check your county's codes and ordinances for restrictions on firearm discharge. It would be legal to do in my county as long as the bullets stay on my property, I shoot from a location that is at least 50 yards from another house, and I don't shoot at night. YMMV.

[JimWest]

Call the local sherif(f's) office...

That's a good one! Let me rehearse it for ya': "Er, yeah, that's right mister. No shooting allowed on private property anywhere in the county".

Research the city, county and unincorporated statues on your own or call an attorney. And don't get pushed around. And don't obey the law. Er, uh, I mean don't disobey the slaw, er law!

[the foot]

What's up in CA? I haven't been there for any extended period of time since the 80's, my last assignment there was George AFB up by Victorville. We went into the desert on federal property and shot our pistols, rifles, anything. Are there restrictions now on those open lands?

[Chief-7700]

I live in Monterey County and shoot on my property anytime I want to. Heck my neighbors do the same.

[akzl]

I live in Monterey County and shoot on my property anytime I want to. Heck my neighbors do the same.

We all have too. This is the first time I've ever heard of this. I just want to get it straight on a code that states we can't shoot on our own property (range set up with back stop in a hill only during the day on 12 acres) but we can hunt? I can't believe that this could be law.

[dantodd]

Yeah we did allot of that in the 70' and 80's before we built the house. This fact came to me through a local sheriff, just trying to find out the exact code.

Well heck, if it was the local sheriff's deputy or sheriff, I'd give a call to whoever told you it was illegal and tell them you want to make sure you're following the law. Then ask exactly what law they were referring to when they said target shooting is illegal. It might be that he thought your lead was landing on someone else's property or some such thing.

[adamsreeftank]

That's a good one! Let me rehearse it for ya': "Er, yeah, that's right mister. No shooting allowed on private property anywhere in the county".

Research the city, county and unincorporated statues on your own or call an attorney. And don't get pushed around. And don't obey the law. Er, uh, I mean don't disobey the slaw, er law!

It worked for me. I called my local sheriff and he said no problem. Just stay 100 yards from the neighbor's house when shooting, or something to that effect. We hear people target shooting all the time around here. But this is a pretty rural area. On the other hand, at my city dwelling, the local PD told me no airguns or archery in my yard.

Oh, I forgot to add

[Cokebottle]

What's up in CA? I haven't been there for any extended period of time since the 80's, my last assignment there was George AFB up by Victorville. We went into the desert on federal property and shot our pistols, rifles, anything. Are there restrictions now on those open lands?

There are some.

In the area that you were in, it is now open only to shotgun shooting when deer are in season. You have to move north of the 58/40 before you reach unrestricted BLM land.