Shooting on private property

[VirginiaMoo]

I am trying to find out what the law is with regards to target shooting on property you do not own. Does anyone know what the law is and where to find it in the code? I own property in Prince William County and I have caught people target shooting without written permission... and actually no permission at all. Just trying to find out if/what the law is. Thank you!

[WRW]

If the property is posted, then they are trespassing...whether they are shooting or playing volleyball. Any destruction of property (timber quality trees, etc.) is just that, destruction of property.

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[jdonovan]

I am trying to find out what the law is

Then ask a lawyer. Don't trust forum advice...but hey it is free, but verify what we tell you.

The crux of the issue, is they have to know, or reasonably should have know that they are unwelcome on your property. This can be via posted signs/paint, being served with a written notice, and oral notice.

Once they know, or should have known they should not be there, then they can be charged/penalized for trespassing. And the penalty changes depending on the activity they are engaged in on the property.

You will undoubtedly need the assistance of the local police/sheriff in this matter, so I'd suggest you contact them and see if they have some guidance.

I would be very hesitant to contact armed trespassers myself. You might get lucky and have things go well, but all the elements are there for a VERY bad outcome for you.

I did find a form letter the culpepper sheriff office has made available.
http://culpepersheriffsoffice.com/image ... dures1.pdf

There are many of pages of law in VA on trespass, and might be interesting reading.

http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter5/

[MarcSpaz]

JD is giving you the best advice on consulting an attorney and getting local law enforcement involved.

I was able to find this for county level restrictions on shooting in general. There are possibly going to be civil and criminal county and state level laws being broken, based on your description and the locality.

http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/p ... tions.aspx

[Roverhound]

1 post drive by.
I wonder how ignorant you have to be to come on a site like this asking about shooting on private property.
Caught people without written permission? Or any permission? They are trespassing plain and simple. It doesn't matter what they are doing. Are you trying to make it seem extra illegal?
If your property is not posted then post it. If you don't like the ugly signs then a purple stripe around trees at the property lines should suffice. Then when you catch people on your property ask them to leave and or call the police despite of what they are doing.

[jdonovan]

If your property is not posted then post it. If you don't like the ugly signs then a purple stripe around trees at the property lines should suffice.

Careful about trusting internet advice, this is not a legally recognized posting method in Virginia.

[WRW]

If your property is not posted then post it. If you don't like the ugly signs then a purple stripe around trees at the property lines should suffice.

Careful about trusting internet advice, this is not a legally recognized posting method in Virginia.

It is a partial description of posting for hunting, fishing, and trapping, if I'm not mistaken.
http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/titl ... 8.2-134.1/

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[jdonovan]

Aluminum had been the only acceptable color for many years. Looks like as of July 1, 2016, purple was added.

[WRW]

Thanks for that. It has been years since the dog stopped taking me to field, and purple didn't sound right, but there it was.

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[Roverhound]

My point is I think we may have been trolled with the troll forgetting it trolled.

[Snakester]

Yeap ! .....I think so .

[MarcSpaz]

They didn't forget... They are in the hospital after lighting themselves on fire in front of Trump's hotel in DC. LOL

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[SHMIV]

Lmao. Wonder what that little stunt was supposed to prove?

Goofy Californians.

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