Can I fire my air rifle in my yard?

Elite051 · Post by **Elite051** » Sun, 15 May 2011 00:23:02

I'm in ashburn VA. Does anyone know of any local ordinances against this?

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BlueTiki · Post by **BlueTiki** » Sun, 15 May 2011 16:58:30

To the best of my knowledge, your good to go. I'd suggest a proper back stop of some sort to ease the tensions of others around you.

jdonovan · Post by **jdonovan** » Sun, 15 May 2011 18:27:49

depends a lot on where in Ashburn you live.

http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1352

c. Unlawful Acts. No person shall discharge any BB gun or hunt or attempt to hunt with any BB gun in any area of the County zoned PDH-12, or in any residential area of the County developed at a density of one unit or more per half acre within one and one-half miles of any area zoned PDH-12, provided that this section shall not be deemed to prohibit the following acts:

gunderwood · Post by **gunderwood** » Mon, 16 May 2011 16:38:03

jdonovan wrote:depends a lot on where in Ashburn you live.

http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1352

c. Unlawful Acts. No person shall discharge any BB gun or hunt or attempt to hunt with any BB gun in any area of the County zoned PDH-12, or in any residential area of the County developed at a density of one unit or more per half acre within one and one-half miles of any area zoned PDH-12, provided that this section shall not be deemed to prohibit the following acts:

So practically almost no where. As a side note, technically an air rifle is a pellet gun, not a BB gun...I wouldn't recommend you test it though!

jdonovan · Post by **jdonovan** » Mon, 16 May 2011 17:30:25

gunderwood wrote: So practically almost no where. As a side note, technically an air rifle is a pellet gun, not a BB gun...I wouldn't recommend you test it though!

It would be helpful if you are going to give advice, to be familiar with the county ordinances first...

b. Definition. "BB gun," for the purposes of this section, means and includes any air gun, air rifle and similar device of .177 caliber or less, designed and intended to expel a projectile through a gun barrel of any length by means of expansion or release of compressed carbon dioxide gas or compressed air or by a combination of spring action and compressed air.

Now the interesting wiggle room in the code is..... BB gun is .177 and less. Therefore a .22 or larger air rifle is simply a 'gun' and has different regulations applied.

dorminWS · Post by **dorminWS** » Mon, 16 May 2011 17:40:00

Elite051 wrote:I'm in ashburn VA. Does anyone know of any local ordinances against this?

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Looks like, legal hairsplitting aside, the answer is: "Yes, but they'll write you a ticket and/or put you in jail."

meo · Post by **meo** » Mon, 16 May 2011 19:28:57

Was there not legislation passed this year preempting the the restrictions on bb guns that takes effect on july 1 2011
Ray

gunderwood · Post by **gunderwood** » Mon, 16 May 2011 19:32:23

jdonovan wrote:
gunderwood wrote: So practically almost no where. As a side note, technically an air rifle is a pellet gun, not a BB gun...I wouldn't recommend you test it though!
It would be helpful if you are going to give advice, to be familiar with the county ordinances first...

b. Definition. "BB gun," for the purposes of this section, means and includes any air gun, air rifle and similar device of .177 caliber or less, designed and intended to expel a projectile through a gun barrel of any length by means of expansion or release of compressed carbon dioxide gas or compressed air or by a combination of spring action and compressed air.

Now the interesting wiggle room in the code is..... BB gun is .177 and less. Therefore a .22 or larger air rifle is simply a 'gun' and has different regulations applied.

Chill. That was dripping with sarcasm.

meo · Post by **meo** » Mon, 16 May 2011 19:40:50

Found the cite,signed by the Gov. takes effect july 1
SB757 Patron: W. Roscoe Reynolds - all patrons
Pneumatic gun regulations. Prohibits a locality from adopting an ordinance that prohibits the shooting of pneumatic guns on private property, with permission of the owner of the property, if reasonable care is taken to prevent a projectile from crossing the bounds of the property. The bill also invalidates any existing local ordinances that conflict with the provisions of the act.

VCDL Comments
This bill allows someone on private property to be able to discharge an air gun as long as they have permission from the property owner to do so and reasonable care is taken to ensure the projectile does not cross the bounds of the property. Any local ordinances to the contrary, such as Fairfax County has, would be preempted

Ray

jdonovan · Post by **jdonovan** » Mon, 16 May 2011 19:50:05

meo wrote:Was there not legislation passed this year preempting the the restrictions on bb guns that takes effect on july 1 2011
Ray

There was a law passed, and it did address air guns.
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604 ... +ful+SB757

I had missed the last addendum that included the addition of the private property exemption. I got out of Loudon years ago when the urban east began to dominate the legislation and started to make Loudoun seem a lot more like fairfax.

B. No such ordinance authorized by subsection A shall prohibit the use of pneumatic guns at facilities approved for shooting ranges or, on other property where firearms may be discharged, or on or within private property with permission of the owner or legal possessor thereof when conducted with reasonable care to prevent a projectile from crossing the bounds of the property.

jdonovan · Post by **jdonovan** » Mon, 16 May 2011 19:53:47

gunderwood wrote:Chill. That was dripping with sarcasm.

Ya, that came across much more roughly than I intended.

My bad day, shouldn't have come out on you.

gunderwood · Post by **gunderwood** » Mon, 16 May 2011 21:02:58

jdonovan wrote:
gunderwood wrote:Chill. That was dripping with sarcasm.
Ya, that came across much more roughly than I intended.

My bad day, shouldn't have come out on you.

No problem. I was trying to make fun of ignorant politicians who make such laws...CA may legally define a .50BMG as an assault weapon, but it doesn't make them technically right. I'd advise not trying to educate them in court though.

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