What will happen if someone calls cops on shooting AirSoft in backyard?

[King of the 109ers]

nicer newer part of Pittsburg, CA if it matters.

Not a bunch of wannabe gangstas crotch grabbing and ghetto grabbing guns and in danger of "putting someone's eye out".

Just lone, fat middle-aged White male plinking, but with an AR-15 style airsoft.

I'm planning on doing it behind a solid fence that runs along the house on the street side (corner lot), and its up on an embankment from the street, so no eyes will be on me or the 'gun'.

But if for some reason someone DOES call the cops what will happen?

Is it legal to shoot airsoft in the back yard if nothing is leaving the yard?

Yeah, I'll be leaving the orange tip on the "gun" and making sure a big jar of airsoft balls is the first thing they see if they come creeping in unannounced.

I'm sorta worried it might turn into "any real guns on the property?, cause we grabbing all those, cause we gotta a complaint and that is the policy", just because its CA and some spots of this city are pretty crime plagued and its some big priority to crack down according to the local papers. IIRC the new mayor is ex Chief, outgoing mayor was liberal Black woman.

Should I be pro-active and let the local PD know any reports of "brandishing assault rifle" at my address is 99.999% just me with an Airsoft? I'd paint it pink or orange but they got those pink real ARs.

I'm just trying to get some handing time with an AR-15 shaped stand in.

[hermosabeach]

This really is a question for your local PD.
An AEG is mechanically similar to a nerf..... But call the non emergency line, as to speak with an officer knowledgeable on Air Guns and Airsoft... give your # and have them call you back...

http://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Pittsburg/

Division VII. Weapons
Chapter 9.92
DANGEROUS WEAPONS1

Sections:
9.92.010 Discharge prohibitions.
9.92.010 Discharge prohibitions.
It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm or gun or rifle or other gun or device discharging by the use of powder, air or springs any bullet, shot or other object, or any sling or slingshot

[Rickrock1]

I would suggest call your local PD. My nephews did some air soft in back yard a couple of years ago and I'm certain that they kept popping out in the front yard that prompted a response.
On the other hand on my property my nephews and my kids now CS for many years did air soft and paint ball.

I think it's important to know your neighbors especially the antis and just give them a heads that a plastic projectile might take out a window or two.
I hate when that happened my again the neighbors are copistetic.

[NATEWA]

Looks like it's not allowed.

What about your garage or hallway?

http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2012/04/safe-backstops-and-bullet-traps/

[King of the 109ers]

An AEG is mechanically similar to a nerf..... But call the non emergency line, as to speak with an officer knowledgeable on Air Guns and Airsoft... give your # and have them call you back...



Sections:
9.92.010 Discharge prohibitions.
9.92.010 Discharge prohibitions.
It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm or gun or rifle or other gun or device discharging by the use of powder, air or springs any bullet, shot or other object, or any sling or slingshot in the city

Sounds like nerf is illegal, as is Airsoft. Shooting a rubber band from fingers could probably be considered a slingshot. I'm guessing the bow of a bow and arrow or crossbow is a 'spring' discharging an "other object".

I think I'll look into shooting laser beams instead.

Is it legal for construction crews to set up those laser levels if the laser beams are escaping the jobsite and flying all over the place at approximately eye level?

[King of the 109ers]

Looks like it's not allowed.

What about your garage or hallway?
http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2012/...-bullet-traps/

I guess I could get away with it but "in the city" covers indoors as well, IIRC.

Being as there is a couple kids who ride ATVs and do wheelies on dirt bikes on the street, I'd normally not worry and just go full-on outlaw with a little bench-rest airsoft in the backyard, and if the cops show up so what.

My real concern is how a police visit might spill over into my real guns on the property, being as I'd already show myself to be criminally irresponsible with guns. I'm sure it IS pretty typical for a guy to start off with airsoft in the backyard, then BB gun, then "22 ain't much louder than a BB gun" so the cops might have semi-valid grounds to ask about real guns.

[hermosabeach]

laws

Sounds like nerf is illegal, as is Airsoft. Shooting a rubber band from fingers could probably be considered a slingshot. I'm guessing the bow of a bow and arrow or crossbow is a 'spring' discharging an "other object".

I think I'll look into shooting laser beams instead.

Chat with a sergeant, LT, Watch Commander or you can even ask when you call the non emergency line to chat with the "gun guy" in the department...


If you explain what you are going to do, they can help you understand what is allowed.....

When a unit rolls up to your house, you can great them and explain your confusion as you spoke with LT. X on this date and time and he said it would be legal.....

no need to get snarky about "Laser Beams".... That should be saved for your city council meetings and your election....

[Dutch3]

It is truly sad what this state has become.

[King of the 109ers]

no need to get snarky about "Laser Beams".... That should be saved for your city council meetings and your election....

I really am thinking of going laser training, but IIRC there have also been laws recently passed due to people shining lasers at pilots in planes.

I imagine they are just as broad as Airsoft, etc laws.

Haven't heard about any auto driver laser cases.

Those bullet-laser things look good and I don't think they put out enough light to be noticed and its not "Red Beam". Big draw back is then you are using a real gun, which I was kinda trying to avoid just to keep it all G-rated, legally speaking.

So I wouldn't be shooting anyTHING, so to speak, but if Five-OH rolls up I'd be holding a real gun. Just seems like they have a hard time leaving a gun COMPLAINT call and leaving the subject with the gun that got complained about, in CA these days.

[King of the 109ers]

It is truly sad what this state has become.

I'm getting a Twilight Zone type of warm fuzzy feeling.

"Someone is about to ask if it OK to go outside and play with his toy gun in his own back yard on a nice quiet street where big American flags fly to celebrate our Freedom....but its not a joyful little boy about to ask his mother....its a middle-aged American man about to ask the police, and he is worried"

[Quiet]

Under CA laws...

airsoft = imitation firearms [PC 16700(a)]

It's illegal to openly display/carry an imitation firearm in public places. [PC 20170]
Infraction for first time you get busted and misdemeanor for anytime after that. [PC 20180]



Penal Code 16700
(a) As used in this part, "imitation firearm" means any BB device, toy gun, replica of a firearm, or other device that is so substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to perceive that the device is a firearm.

Penal Code 20170
(a) No person may openly display or expose any imitation firearm in a public place.
(b) As used in this section, "public place" means an area open to the public and includes any of the following:
(1) A street.
(2) A sidewalk.
(3) A bridge.
(4) An alley.
(5) A plaza.
(6) A park.
(7) A driveway.
(8) A front yard.
(9) A parking lot.
(10) An automobile, whether moving or not.
(11) A building open to the general public, including one that serves food or drink, or provides entertainment.
(12) A doorway or entrance to a building or dwelling.
(13) A public school.
(14) A public or private college or university.

Penal Code 20175
Section 20170 does not apply in any of the following circumstances:
(a) The imitation firearm is packaged or concealed so that it is not subject to public viewing.
(b) The imitation firearm is displayed or exposed in the course of commerce, including a commercial film or video production, or for service, repair, or restoration of the imitation firearm.
(c) The imitation firearm is used in a theatrical production, a motion picture, video, television, or stage production.
(d) The imitation firearm is used in conjunction with a certified or regulated sporting event or competition.
(e) The imitation firearm is used in conjunction with lawful hunting, or a lawful pest control activity.
(f) The imitation firearm is used or possessed at a certified or regulated public or private shooting range.
(g) The imitation firearm is used at a fair, exhibition, exposition, or other similar activity for which a permit has been obtained from a local or state government.
(h) The imitation firearm is used in a military, civil defense, or civic activity, including a flag ceremony, color guard, parade, award presentation, historical reenactment, or memorial.
(i) The imitation firearm is used for a public display authorized by a public or private school or a display that is part of a museum collection.
(j) The imitation firearm is used in a parade, ceremony, or other similar activity for which a permit has been obtained from a local or state government.
(k) The imitation firearm is displayed on a wall plaque or in a presentation case.
(l) The imitation firearm is used in an area where the discharge of a firearm is lawful.
(m) The entire exterior surface of the imitation firearm is white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern, or the entire device is constructed of transparent or translucent material that permits unmistakable observation of the device's complete contents.
Merely having an orange tip as provided in federal law and regulations does not satisfy this requirement. The entire surface must be colored or transparent or translucent.

Penal Code 20180
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), violation of Section 20170 is an infraction punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) for the first offense, and three hundred dollars ($300) for a second offense.
(b) A third or subsequent violation of Section 20170 is punishable as a misdemeanor.
(c) Nothing in Section 20170, 20175, or this section shall be construed to preclude prosecution for a violation of Section 171b, 171.5, or 626.10.

[Quiet]

Under CA laws...

If the laser device looks like a firearm, then it will be treated as an imitation firearm. [PC 16700(a)]

It's illegal to point a laser at another person in a threatening manner. [PC 417.25]

It's illegal to point a laser at a LEO for any reason. [PC 417.26]

It's illegal to point a laser at people in a vehicle. [PC 417.27(c)]

It's illegal to point a laser at a guide/service dog or police dog. [PC 417.27(d)]




Penal Code 417.25
(a) Every person who, except in self-defense, aims or points a laser scope, as defined in subdivision (b), or a laser pointer, as defined in subdivision (c), at another person in a threatening manner with the specific intent to cause a reasonable person fear of bodily harm is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for up to 30 days. For purposes of this section, the laser scope need not be attached to a firearm.
(b) As used in this section, "laser scope" means a portable battery-powered device capable of being attached to a firearm and capable of projecting a laser light on objects at a distance.
(c) As used in this section, "laser pointer" means any hand held laser beam device or demonstration laser product that emits a single point of light amplified by the stimulated emission of radiation that is visible to the human eye.

Penal Code 417.26
(a) Any person who aims or points a laser scope as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 417.25, or a laser pointer, as defined in subdivision (c) of that section, at a peace officer with the specific intent to cause the officer apprehension or fear of bodily harm and who knows or reasonably should know that the person at whom he or she is aiming or pointing is a peace officer, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a term not exceeding six months.
(b) Any person who commits a second or subsequent violation of subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year.

Penal Code 417.27
(a) No person, corporation, firm, or business entity of any kind shall knowingly sell a laser pointer to a person 17 years of age or younger, unless he or she is accompanied and supervised by a parent, legal guardian, or any other adult 18 years of age or older.
(b) No student shall possess a laser pointer on any elementary or secondary school premises unless possession of a laser pointer on the elementary or secondary school premises is for a valid instructional or other school-related purpose, including employment.
(c) No person shall direct the beam from a laser pointer directly or indirectly into the eye or eyes of another person or into a moving vehicle with the intent to harass or annoy the other person or the occupants of the moving vehicle.
(d) No person shall direct the beam from a laser pointer directly or indirectly into the eye or eyes of a guide dog, signal dog, service dog, or dog being used by a peace officer with the intent to harass or annoy the animal.
(e) A violation of subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d) shall be an infraction that is punished by either a fine of fifty dollars ($50) or four hours of community service, and a second or subsequent violation of any of these subdivisions shall be an infraction that is punished by either a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) or eight hours of community service.
(f) As used in this section, "laser pointer" has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 417.25.
(g) As used in this section, "guide dog," "signal dog," and "service dog," respectively, have the same meaning as set forth in subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 365.5.

[machrono]

It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm or gun or rifle or other gun or device discharging by the use of powder, air or springs any bullet, shot or other object, or any sling or slingshot in the city...

If you ever needed an excuse to get that fancy high powered nitrogen PCP pellet rifle!

[Endless]

Most states and state police will more than likely not respond to a call of a toy gun being fired in a back yard within city limits. In reality there are more important things to worry about such as large animals ravaging through trash and cars and sometimes houses. You need real firearms at this point and if they threaten your family in any way, regardless of being in the city limits, you can discharge your real firearm at this point. I have done it and so will anyone with half a brain. I will gladly speak to a judge about it with no issues what so ever. But in free states it won't even get that far. Fish and game comes out and if they see it was a real threat then that's where it ends.

I just spoke to a Maine State Trooper about this and he was like "are you kidding me"... Meaning he would not respond.

It's sad that California has stooped this low to making rules governing this. Pathetic IMO.