Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

New to the forum, have a general question in regards to laws towards shooting on your own property. We are looking at purchasing about 30 acres in Spotsylvania County near Lake Anna. We would like to use the property as purely recreational, no permanent dwelling. Hunting, fishing, camping, offroading and firing range just for family and friends. Pistol, rifle and shotgun. Anyone know the rules or regulations required so as to not have anyone hassle us? 30 acres is big, but not that big. Not sure if there is a min acreage required or if we would need to file paperwork, etc. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I don't know of any but I am interested in this question.

I would think that as long as you are following the Laws of the State of VA you should be able to shoot all you want on YOUR land

It is the local ordinances that you need to look into. If you're in the city limits (and you would be surprised what is inside the "city" due to tax reasons), you're probably SOL. Most counties not in NOVA, are pretty easy going. Make sure the land isn't covered by an association (think HOA) or else they could restrict it too. Being 30 acres it probably isn't. I think it is county law, but you have be away from the road by 100 yards where I shoot.

I've had the sheriff called on me several times because of the noise. They show up and check to make sure we are being safe. That plot is nearly 70 acres, but I guess some city folks live in the houses on the other side of the road. We are back more than 100 yards and the farming neighbours on the other side don't care. They actually get permission to hunt the land like me in the fall.

I should put a sign asking for donations to my silencer fund...

Stafford County has "no shooting zones". To my knowledge, Spotsylvania has none.

As said above this is a local question. The state just requires that the gun be fired in a safe manner on private land and not at game out of season.

I searched the Spotsylvania website and got no hits for firearm, gun or shooting, so they probably do not regulate it.

OK, wally, we both forgot the Courthouse area...nothing within a mile.

A friend of mine has property on Lake Anna. We've been shooting out there. No problems from the cops but the neighbor across the road was giving us the stinkeye. And we were even using silencers for most of it! Some people...

But you need to check the zoning requirements for the area, as well as any HOA you may be part of.

Thanks everyone, probably best just to call into the county or sherrif's office and see what they have to say. As far as I can find online, looks like it would only be prohibited if in a subdivision. Believe the property we are looking at is outside of a subdivision and definitely no HOA (shudder).

I was looking online here: http://library1.municode.com/default-no ... n=whatsnew

I'd call the Sheriff an ask, Lake Anna is considered to be somewqhat of a resort area, so they may have issues unique to the area. I'm on about 25 acres in Orange Co. and never have a problem. Just be sure you have a good backstop.

We have a little over 5 acres in Pr George Co. (VA), a backstop in the woods. We told the next door neighbors from the first day 'we like to target practice'. We can hear other neighbors do the same. No calls, no bothering for years. Never called sherriff or anyone.

30 acres - nice! There should not be anyone complaining about the noice, as long as you dont do it after dark. May I suggest you start introducing yourself to your neighbors (if there are any nearby), see if you can determine if your neighbors have similar activities interest.