Is it legal to shoot...

[iron cannon]

I'd love to see a DA try and prosecute that!!! Oh Wait I have!! True story a guy was shooting pigeons in his back yard. Neighbor called the S.O. and the dumb deputy ( yes I am a retired deputy from that same dept.) cited him or shooting and endangered pigeon and discharging a firearm within city limits. The judge rightfully tossed the case and scolded the DA. The guy could have been found guilty of hunting without a license but the DA never filed that.

A BB or Pellet gun isn't defined as a firearm...heck you can go in and buy one and walk out.

Shooting wildlife is a crime if not licensed. OP...get your hunting lices before dealing with these rodents...albeit cute rodents.

If you are within a city limits you may have an ordinance that say no hunting within city limits...lastly never shoot at a animal to scare it away..i.e. with a paintball etc...that is also a crime called animal harrassment (i know stupid) but thats is the truth.

Remember what is on the net stays on the net and can be used against you.

Yeh , I thought that was a stretch calling anyting that fires a prjectile a firearm.
I looked it up at the city website and it does differentiate a " firearm" from slingshot , bow and arrow ,pellet gun.

[agl1911]

like others have mentioned check the laws for your city. Most densely populated cities have laws against it. If you are in a rural area chances are you are ok.

[JoshuaS]

I had the same problem last year and found out ( called sherrif, police , animal control)that anything that fires a projectile, bbgun,slingshoot,gun is considerd a firearm and you can be arrested and fined for discharging it in city limits.Not to mention that shooting wildlife is a crime that will be prosocuted( animal control scolded me for even asking). If you do it dont get caught( may cost you your firearms). I ended up putting a 6 ft rat wire fence aruond my garden and it worked well. There are alot of racoons ,opossums , rats in the bay area and killing a few wont stop the onslot , more will take the place of the ones you get rid of.

1. If they said that, they are stupid morons. They are not considered all firearms

2. Some, not all, cities have ordinances against bb guns. Mine doesn't for instance

[appagohm]

raccoons are dangerous, i'd say shoot it with a paintball gun.

[Librarian]

A BB or Pellet gun isn't defined as a firearm...heck you can go in and buy one and walk out.

It isn't at Federal or State level, but remember that laws can define things any old way - there's no need for rationality. After all, we have the stupid 'assault weapon' law ...

And, prohibition on discharge of a weapon can include non-firearms; for example, Concord

Sec. 66-11. Discharge of weapons.

It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm, gun, rifle, or other gun or device discharging, by the use of powder, air, or springs, any bullet or shot of any kind or any sling or slingshot in the city, except in shooting galleries and on pistol and rifle ranges, the location of which has been approved by the city; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to police officers acting within the scope of their official duties or to persons acting in the necessary defense of their persons or property.

Since they're not 'shot', I think pea-shooters might be exempt.