Rifle laws...where can I shoot?

[Ford5.0]

Hi,
I'm turning 18 in about 3 weeks and plan to buy a rifle (ruger or savage .22LR). From what I understand the law says your only allowed to shoot a rifle/shotgun on private property that is either yours or if you have permission by the owner to use it. My question is, is it illegal to shoot in woods that are behind my neighborhood? The woods are very deep, and at one point your like an 1/8 of a mile away from houses, so I don't think people would be aware let alone mad about hearing the "pop" of a .22 .

I think it would be alright to do as long as you act responsible and also don't disturb anybody, but if I do get "caught" shooting in the woods...are cops supposed to confiscate the gun or what?
Thanks

[Toeknee112]

From what I understand the law says your only allowed to shoot a rifle/shotgun on private property that is either yours or if you have permission by the owner to use it. My question is, is it illegal to shoot in woods that are behind my neighborhood?

Where are you located? Do you think the laws are the same in every state, city, county? Why not ask your local law enforcement this question? Or the shop where you buy the rifle?

Are the woods behind your house "private property that is either yours or if you have permission by the owner to use it"?

Seriously, what do you think the answer to your question is? Seems you already know it is illegal and your looking for someone to tell you it's OK (as long as you don't bother anyone).

[Ford5.0]

Yea I may have worded the question kind of retarded. I know the different state's laws aren't all the same but I figured different officers opinions were. What I was asking was do some of the officers on here personally frown upon someone that's using a target rifle in secluded woods that belong to the community.

I live in Bel Air MD and all the gun shops tell me private property is OK or if you have permission. They say use your judgment on any other land to figure out if it's alright. I haven't talked to the local dept. yet because I figured why not ask here first. I don't already know whether it's legal or not in my community's woods, that's why I asked.
Thanks

[sgtbear111]

Check with your county police for areas that are open. The NRA or your local gunshop should be able to tell you where there is a range. If you go onto private property, always ask permission. Landowners will close off their property if they find litter (cigarette butts), garbage, shot-up junk appliances or cars, shot-up broken glass and pop cans, etc. Use paper targets. Pick up the trash that slobs leave. If you find something amiss on the property, report it to the landowner, they do appreciate it. Always be careful of what is behind the target before you shoot.

[BryGuy]

Shooting in the woods behind your neighborhood? Since you used the term neighborhood, I'm assuming that you're not the only one who lives adjacent to these woods. And I'm also going to assume that you're not the only one who uses these woods. Now, I'm really going out on a limb by assuming that there are probably children who may play in these woods.... An area, not owned by you, not controlled for the purpose of shooting, and where children may feel inclined to play...and you want to fire a weapon here?

By the way "1/8 of a mile" equates to a whopping 660 feet! If you don't think your neighbors will mind, you have some pretty laid back neighbors. If someone shoots a rifle 600 feet from my house (even if it's legal), they're gonna see one pissed off dude!

[Ford5.0]

Well an 1/8 of a mile was kinda a rough estimate, but the point was it's far enough away that residents wouldn't be bothered. By "behind my neighborhood" I didn't mean the woods in my backyard either, the wooded area I meant is behind a vacant grass lot thats behind an abandoned construction site. Also because of the area, and the way I have been taught to treat guns there's no chance of a kid catchin a .22 round, or at least not from me. Plus most of you guys probably know better than I do that a .22 sounds only a little louder than a powerful air rifle.

Checking with the local guys about what they think is probably the best bet sgtbear, as you siad. I already know where the closet range is because me and my father go there to shoot.

[corporal716]

I'm assuming this is not BLM or National Forest land. That makes it privet property. Without the consent of the owner you can not shot there even if it is safe to do so.

[GMan26]

just go to the range - unless you know someone that ownes a farm with lots of acres.

[Gamefella]

just go to the range - unless you know someone that ownes a farm with lots of acres.

+1... safer and not expensive....especially if you are shooting .22

[ngcsubutterbar]

it's private property and 50ft (or yds can't remember it is a big difference I know yeah) off a public road here.

[Ford5.0]

No farms anywhere near here that I could use. I'll probably just have to go to a range everytime to shoot, which is unfortunate because I've been waiting 18 years to blow off a squirrel's head.

[corporal716]

No farms anywhere near here that I could use. I'll probably just have to go to a range everytime to shoot, which is unfortunate because I've been waiting 18 years to blow off a squirrel's head.

I'm sure the squirrel's are gland you don't live near a farm.

[Saonagi]

It seems nieve to say that there is no chance of shooting a kid. Even with alot of caution and sighting that dosent gauruntee that a kid isnt hiding or about to run near there. It sounds a little risky and not at all legal.

[BryGuy]

Legal isn't really the issue. I can speak only for Massachusetts, and sadly, 660 feet from someones house is legal. In Mass you only need to be 500 feet from a dwelling, plus not shooting across roadways etc etc. I'm just very curious as to what your training is that you can control your bullet after firing so as to not hit any unintended targets? Because I definitely want to take that training course. I know you'll say "be aware of your surroundings, never fire unless you know your target, know what's behind your target...blah blah blah"... But you made the interesting statement of shooting squirrels...last I checked they're not stationary animals giving you time to evaluate their location and what's behind them. Shooting in an area that is not specifically designated to discharge a firearm, especially to take random shots at squirels behind a neighborhood, is a recipe for tragedy!

[tomahawk134]

Safest for you is to locate a public firearms range. This will eliminate any complaints of you shooting in the woods, etc. Contact your local shooting club, or public firearms range. There may be some cost involved, but it is well worth it to protect you from shooting in a populated area.

tomwoolworth