Been a long time gun fanatic... but never quite got a good answer from folks on this question, including the police/sheriff/encon... each one has their own logic... so I figured I'd ask on this forum after spending a few hours doing some Google searches, to see what other masses have to say.
Here's my question that I posed: Is the 500 foot law in a radius from where I am standing/shooting or is it in the direction of the muzzle or my safe zone-of-fire of roughly 45 degrees?
Here's the law:
It is illegal to discharge a firearm, bow or crossbow:
My neighbor and his kids shoot their .22LR and shotguns a lot right next to my house for target practice into a safe backstop/berm. Been doing it for years and years. I don't have any problems with it, and it makes me smile when they are out there. Heck, I would join them, but that 500 foot rules just makes me nervous and I expressed that to them. They totally understand, but even they asked folks and they haven't gotten a straight answer either.
Anyhow, if you go on a website that lets you do radius (circular areas on Google Maps), then him and his kids are definitely breaking this law, if it is the way I understand it. Technically the closest dwelling is 150 feet directly behind him across the road, and well, if I cared, well then about the same if not closer.
Most think the 500 foot rule applies only in the direction you are shooting/safe zone-of-fire.
So, what is it? 500 foot radius of where the firearm is being used, or 500 feet of where the muzzle is being pointed/fired, or a 45 degree safe zone-of-fire?
Seems like a cool forum... been searching it for years now. Finally joined, because I have a question... I generally don't like forums, only because info can get swayed... but this one I don't think has gotten me more swayed because no one have given me a justifiable answer including law enforcement.
Even if it's not a 500 foot radius, I still leave target practice for the range or backwoods where I have expressed written permission.
Here's my question that I posed: Is the 500 foot law in a radius from where I am standing/shooting or is it in the direction of the muzzle or my safe zone-of-fire of roughly 45 degrees?
Here's the law:
It is illegal to discharge a firearm, bow or crossbow:
- so that the load or arrow passes over any part of a public highway,
- within 500 feet of any school, playground, or an occupied factory or church,
- within 500 feet of a dwelling, farm building or structure in occupation or use unless you own it, lease it, are an immediate member of the family, an employee, or have the owner's consent.
- You may hunt waterfowl, over water, within 500 feet of a dwelling or public structure as long as neither are within 500 feet in the direction you are shooting.
My neighbor and his kids shoot their .22LR and shotguns a lot right next to my house for target practice into a safe backstop/berm. Been doing it for years and years. I don't have any problems with it, and it makes me smile when they are out there. Heck, I would join them, but that 500 foot rules just makes me nervous and I expressed that to them. They totally understand, but even they asked folks and they haven't gotten a straight answer either.
Anyhow, if you go on a website that lets you do radius (circular areas on Google Maps), then him and his kids are definitely breaking this law, if it is the way I understand it. Technically the closest dwelling is 150 feet directly behind him across the road, and well, if I cared, well then about the same if not closer.
Most think the 500 foot rule applies only in the direction you are shooting/safe zone-of-fire.
So, what is it? 500 foot radius of where the firearm is being used, or 500 feet of where the muzzle is being pointed/fired, or a 45 degree safe zone-of-fire?
Seems like a cool forum... been searching it for years now. Finally joined, because I have a question... I generally don't like forums, only because info can get swayed... but this one I don't think has gotten me more swayed because no one have given me a justifiable answer including law enforcement.
Even if it's not a 500 foot radius, I still leave target practice for the range or backwoods where I have expressed written permission.