Is this illegal?

[wilit]

So my GF asked me if shooting blanks in public is illegal. I didn't know how to answer. I know everytime I see an ad for replica pistols that fire 8mm or 6mm blanks they say they can't be shipped to CA, but then again, starter pistols (like for starting races) aren't illegal right?

I guess the question I want to know, if you had a starter pistol and you fired it in the air (and you're not starting a race) is that illegal?

[bobothebigdog]

Why on earth would you want to do that?

[Uberdummy]

To prove a point?

[Josh3239]

Discharging a weapon in city limits is a crime, correct?

In the case of shooting ranges or starting pistols, they are probably zoned and hold some sort of liscence/permit.

[socalguns]

at the very least its called brandishing a weapon (illegal)

[MedSpec65]

This is Occupied California. Remember?

[Paul]

Most of those non-firearms that are banned are banned because they don't have the bright red paint on the end of the barrel.

[wilit]

Why on earth would you want to do that?

It came up in a story one of my GF's reporters covered. Apparently a local park is having a problem with geese, and some city employees fired off a starter pistol a few times to scare them away. They didn't tell anyone they were going to do it, and some people got scared (obviously, especially so shortly after VT).

So far as I can tell, technically a starter pistol (not a replica pistol) is not a firearm in regards to the law.

12001. (a)(1) As used in this title, the terms "pistol," "revolver," and "firearm capable of being concealed upon the person" shall apply to and include any device designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled a projectile by the force of any explosion, or other form of combustion, and that has a barrel less than 16 inches in length. These terms also include any device that has a barrel 16 inches or more in length which is designed to be interchanged with a barrel less than 16 inches in length.

[ImOverHere]

It came up in a story one of my GF's reporters covered. Apparently a local park is having a problem with geese, and some city employees fired off a starter pistol a few times to scare them away. They didn't tell anyone they were going to do it, and some people got scared (obviously, especially so shortly after VT).

So far as I can tell, technically a starter pistol (not a replica pistol) is not a firearm in regards to the law.

I certainly wouldn't want to have the conversation that results when LEOs respond.

[Hunter]

Starter pistols are not considered a firearm but discharging them in an incorporated area is still probably illegal. For example, here is a county ordinance that prohibits "weapons" on a county park. Similiar ordinances are in effect for most counties in this state.

Sec. B14-31.1. Firearms and weapons.

(a) No person shall have in his possession, set, leave or deposit, fire or discharge, or cause to be fired or discharged, across, in, on or into County park lands any weapon, spear, missile, sling shot, trap or hunting device, air or gas weapon, throwing knife or axe, or any other weapon or device capable of injuring or killing any person or animal, damaging any property or natural resource, except in areas established for such use.
(b) Violation of Subsection (a) shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.

(c) No person shall have in his possession airguns or paintball guns in any park except in areas established by the Director for target practices or while in direct transit to or from such areas.

(d) No person shall discharge airguns or paintball guns in any park except in areas established by the Director for target practices.

(e) The Director shall establish rules and regulations for the safe use of archery, shotgun, rifle and pistol ranges. Rules and regulations pertaining to the use of the ranges that have been established by the Director shall be clearly posted at each range, and copies of the rules and regulations shall be placed on file in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.

(f) No person shall violate any safety rule or regulation established pursuant to this section.

[RANGER295]

I am part of an old west reenactment group and we fire blanks in the city all the time and have never had a problem. We have even been hired by local government before. I am not saying that it is or is not legal. I think it is probably somewhat of a grey area and depends on the circumstances.