Is there a law against discharging a pellet or airgun?

[jumbopanda]

In my city it is illegal to fling rubber bands.

[Ford8N]

In my city it is illegal to fling rubber bands.

You'll shoot your eye out.

[anotherone]

There's a reason for having ordinances against discharging airguns in urban areas. Let's consider the ballistics: most CO2 pistols go at least 400 fps and many air rifles now go beyond 1000 fps. A lead projectile travelling at 400 fps has the potential to penetrate the human skull. One travelling at 1000 fps will have enough energy to pass through your fence and into your neighbor's home.

Remember back in hunting safety course how they said never to discharge a firearm at a house or where there was not a safe backdrop? Well short of having the national forest in your backyard, chances are in an urban environment you'll be discharging into a home. Not a good idea.

[E Pluribus Unum]

There's a reason for having ordinances against discharging airguns in urban areas. Let's consider the ballistics: most CO2 pistols go at least 400 fps and many air rifles now go beyond 1000 fps. A lead projectile travelling at 400 fps has the potential to penetrate the human skull. One travelling at 1000 fps will have enough energy to pass through your fence and into your neighbor's home.

Remember back in hunting safety course how they said never to discharge a firearm at a house or where there was not a safe backdrop? Well short of having the national forest in your backyard, chances are in an urban environment you'll be discharging into a home. Not a good idea.

Not to mention they have pellet guns that shoot pellets at 1000 feet per second. That is why it is a per situation thing. I would not want a 1000 fps pellet gun shot near my house, but they have spring propelled BB guns that shoot at 200 fps and those should be fine.

[quagmiles]

There's a reason for having ordinances against discharging airguns in urban areas. Let's consider the ballistics: most CO2 pistols go at least 400 fps and many air rifles now go beyond 1000 fps. A lead projectile travelling at 400 fps has the potential to penetrate the human skull. One travelling at 1000 fps will have enough energy to pass through your fence and into your neighbor's home.

Remember back in hunting safety course how they said never to discharge a firearm at a house or where there was not a safe backdrop? Well short of having the national forest in your backyard, chances are in an urban environment you'll be discharging into a home. Not a good idea.

yea right, if your neighbors fence is made out of air and their walls are cardboard. Any one who shoots adult air guns knows that a box stuffed with a phone book is enough to stop a pellet fired at 1000 fps. My Webley tempest at 410 f.p.s will not pass through a small pumpkin. My webley rifle at give or take 950 f.p.s. will not pass through my spanish text book. Maybe if you live in a tent I'd be worried about my neighbor shooting high powered air guns.

[triaged]

Here is my city...nothing is legal ANYWHERE even on private property. BB-guns are the same as a shotgun to them. Unless of course you home school

9.36.010 Discharge of weapons prohibited.

It is unlawful to fire or discharge, or cause to be fired or discharged within the city limits, any firearm, rifle, pistol, shotgun, cannon, air rifle, air gun, b.b. gun, pellet gun, gas operated gun, spring gun, slingshot, bow, crossbow, or any other weapon designed to discharge or propel any projectile capable of causing injury; provided, however, the provisions of this section shall not apply to:

(1) Peace officers when acting in the line of duty;

(2) Persons otherwise lawfully acting to protect life or property;

(3) Persons so discharging in or upon an educational institution as a curricular activity or a business establishment licensed by the city for such purposes; or

[Turbinator]

How times have changed. Grew up shooting airguns in the backyard here in San Jose, although technically illegal by letter of the law. However, we never received a visit from the police, so we were lucky. Unfortunately, I didn't receive good firearms instruction at the time, so I do recall a couple of neighbors complaining about richochets (my fault, really) - so we were a bit more cautious after that.

Those who say airguns are quiet - have you actually heard airguns fired outdoors? You can hear them several houses away. There is a distinct "popping" sound when an airgun, particularly a CO2 powered one, is discharged. They might be quiet compared to firearms, but they are still loud enough to be detected by surrounding neighbors.

Turby

[CSACANNONEER]

hhhmm.. ... that would meand a spit wad tube would be illegal..........

A spit wad tube could be considered a blowgun and therefor a felony under California state law! Please remember this when you order a sandwich and coke at your local coffe shop. If your sandwich has those speicial little toothpicks and your coke comes with a straw, you are in "constructive possession" of a blowgun and a felon under state law!

[Paul]

San Diego had an ordinance prohibiting 20 years ago when I lived there.