Question on Air Guns, Slingshots, etc.

[Hallucinosis]

I've spent a few hours now trying to find out what the laws are regarding air guns (.177 and .22), slingshots, bows, and so forth, to no avail!

So, if any of you kind people can help me out here, I'm looking for general information about how these items are regarded in California laws, as well as my local county/city (Contra Costa/Concord).

Are these treated like firearms? Can you open carry these devices?
Can you concealed carry them? Do they need to be locked in the trunk of a car?

I feel my basic understanding of laws regarding firearms and knives are sufficient so that I don't get myself in trouble, but air guns, slingshots, and bows are a total grey area to me.

Funny aside: walking through Berkeley UC campus a few months ago, I saw people practicing archery on campus--this actually surprised me, since a lock blade pocket knife or knife with a blade more than 2.5" in length will send you straight to jail. I know, I know, don't try to apply logic to the absurd laws of Berkeley and California.

[Librarian]

Not at all treated like firearms.

But in some cases, air guns, pellet guns and similar are treated as imitation firearms, generally defined at PC 16400, and restricted by PC 20170. "20170. (a) No person may openly display or expose any imitation firearm in a public place. " - first offense is an infraction.

Discharge of the devices is frequently prohibited in local laws.

[Hallucinosis]

Thank you, that's what I was coming up with from what I could find, including the imitation firearms bit, but I was worried I missed something big - don't want to accidentally become a felon for carrying a slingshot, for instance.

And yeah, the way the Concord ordinances read on firearm discharge - I think airsoft guns, rubber band guns, water balloon launchers, and nerf guns would all technically qualify as an illegal firearm discharge. =(

[Hallucinosis]

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.

http://www.ci.concord.ca.us/citygov/municode/chapter066.htm

[RonnieP]

Wow, so you can't even shoot a bb gun in your own backyard anymore? What happened to America?

[sl0re10]

Not at all treated like firearms.

But in some cases, air guns, pellet guns and similar are treated as imitation firearms, generally defined at PC 16400, and restricted by PC 20170. "20170. (a) No person may openly display or expose any imitation firearm in a public place. " - first offense is an infraction.

Discharge of the devices is frequently prohibited in local laws.

No waving it around to make lane changes easier?

[edgerly779]

Under state dfg codes archery is teated as a firearm. You may not discharge an arrow within 150 yards of dwelling or outbuilding of dwelling without permission of owner. pellet guns air guns bb guns are regulated by local city & county laws.

[deadshot]

What happened to America?

Wow, so you can't even shoot a bb gun in your own backyard anymore? What happened to America?

LIBERALS!

[Loco45]

Wow, so you can't even shoot a bb gun in your own backyard anymore? What happened to America?

Sad ain't it? My son's elementary school even banned football in school because it's too violent smh.... I think my city's laws are similar regarding the use of airguns, but I don't care, I still shoot em in my back yard. I'm an outlaw lol (jk)

[DBADRAT]

Glad my daughters learned to shoot my BB Gun before the Libtards took over.

[pHredd9mm]

My daughter is a collegiate competitive fencer. Imagine getting run through with an epee or a sabre.

[BigPimping]

I have a pellet gun trap inside my house. I shoot inside so boo hoo for them.

[spruce3311]

An easy way to tell if something is legal in California:

1. Is it fun?
A. Yes - It's illegal
B. No - there may still be some restrictions

[Wherryj]

Wow, so you can't even shoot a bb gun in your own backyard anymore? What happened to America?

You don't live in America.

[REH]

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.

http://www.ci.concord.ca.us/citygov/...chapter066.htm

It's amazing what I find out here. A freaking slingshot???? How about if it has an orange tip on it