Can I shoot in My Backyard?
Is shooting on my private property in Florida legal?
I have been a firearms instructor for over 10 years. Over that time, I have seen changes to many of our gun laws. With guns, it is essential to remember that it is our responsibility to understand the law.
Students and friends routinely ask me, “can target shoot on private property here in Florida?”
The relevant Florida statute is 790.15
Residents, homeowners, and lawful gun owners can not shoot firearms on the private property of homes in residential neighborhoods where the land is less than one acre.
However, with gated communities or ‘zero lot land,’ things are different. You cannot shoot in your backyard unless:
- the land is 1.25 acres
- have one home (or more)
- and your surrounding neighbors have one acre or more
Of course, even though it is legal to do so, you need to think about:
- Shoot safely
- Shoot responsibly
- Ensure your ammunition will not injure or kill someone on neighboring property
In almost every circumstance, you will want to shoot into a backstop that will catch the bullets.
Building a backstop in your backyard:
There are many ways to build an acceptable backstop to shoot into. Search, and you will find specs and diagrams to suit your needs.
Although you can use many materials, sand and dirt are the cheapest and most accessible material to use in a backstop. Remember that bullets that hit rocks or hard objects can ricochet in unexpected directions. Naturally, this can be a significant safety concern for you and your neighbors. So make sure whatever material you use does not contain material that can cause ricochets.
Unfortunately, I live in a gated community with homes stacked on top of each other like sardines. Alas, my dream of sitting in my lawn chair while shooting bottles in my backyard will not happen. But your situation may be different.
Here is Flordia Statute 790.15
Discharging firearm in public or on residential property
(4) Any person who recreationally discharges a firearm outdoors, including target shooting, in an area that the person knows or reasonably should know is primarily residential, and that has a residential density of one or more dwelling units per acre, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
This subsection does not apply:
It isn’t just Florida gun law that changes. Gun laws in many states vary across the country every year. Some of these changes are substantial and can have huge ramifications if unknown.
I am working on answering the question about shooting on your property for each of the 50 states. If you want to know the law in Texas, check out this link.
We have an unbelievably helpful resource for any gun owner, especially those who travel. We haven app that is totally free and provides so much more than just up-to-date legal info for every state.
Check out the Concealed Carry Gun Tool App here.
Gun Safety Course!
If you know someone new to guns or needs a refresher course on safety, I highly recommend checking out and sharing our Gun Safety Course. It presents gun safety from a self-defense perspective and is totally free!
It does clearly state that if under the circumstances the shooting does not pose a reasonable foreseeable risk to life safety or property then the law does not apply. That seems clear that if you had a back stop that was overkill even by well accepted standards you could set up a target and shoot irrespective of the units per acre stipulation and not be in violation of the law, or why put that language into the statute. No?
Jerry, you are correct. The NRA was successful in getting that language so that if one has a backyard range that eliminates the risk to life, safety and property it is legal irrespective of the lot size.
In St. Louis in the 90s we had a mysterious homicide by head shot of a man putting on a golf course green on the Missouri side of the Mississippi river. It was eventually traced to a stray shot from an Illinois police firing range about a mile away on the opposite side of the river. The bullet went over the police range’s berm.
The only safe range that I can imagine is one that is fully enclosed with walls impenatrable by the largest round allowed at the range.
This subsection does not apply:
(b) If, under the circumstances, the discharge does not pose a reasonably foreseeable risk to life, safety, or
property;
I just bought a new firearm, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic all ranges have been closed. If I was to fill a metal bucket with sand, stand directly over the bucket, aim down, and shoot a test shot into the sand, is that still a punishable offense. The risk to life, safety, or property has thoroughly been eliminated by the sand, the bucket, and the earth.
I think you would be best off just shooting into the ground…. a bucket of dirt before going into a planet of dirt doesn’t seem like it would make much difference…
That comes down to carelessness an the firearms owner, it must’ve been a rookie cop.
Can shoot a BB gun in my backyard
How about Red Ryder BN gun or smaller pellet guns in back yard? Am im Pasco cty. Karl
I had the sheriff leave my home a few hours ago after a neighbor 2 houses down called them on me. I was shooting a variety of firearms in my backyard of my home. I live in a community of various sized lots, mine being 1.4 acres. My neighbors are all comparable to my lot but I’m not sure the exact average but it would be safe to assume at least an acre on all sides and a retention area that buts up to my backyard. Granted I have built a handgun range consisted of stacked railroad ties as a backer, sand piled up all around and a downward trajectory slope dug out 2 feet below ground level to give you a 5 foot berm if your target is set at the bottom of range. The sheriff was a nice man and was actually very polite and we had a nice conversation aside from his reason for visiting about gardening, chickens, pesticides, even fly traps. But at the end of the day I presented him with my case that I owned more then an acre and so do my neighbors. That I was shooting in a responsible manor by using a range with a berm, not inflicting damage and shooting into the earth at a downward trajectory. That it should be within my rights. He told me he did not think I could so because it’s a residential r1 zoned area. He stated that he had to speak with his departments legal advisor to determine the actual final say but he said for me to not shoot anymore until he got back in touch. I told him no problem, stop by anytime, thanked him for his services and told him to have a good night. As soon as it got dark though I lit a 100 pack of firecracker in my culvert pipe and a bunch of mortors in the air just to be a richard to my female dogs bottom neighbor
Where is the 1.25 acres? I was quoted over 1 acre.
Did you ever hear back from the sheriff? Curious as to what they said.
What did the Deputy get back to you with? I keep a copy of the Florida Statute with me when I shoot out back. I think you were perfectly within your rights.
Did you really have to do the firecracker thing? Childish and not very neighborly, besides, aren’f firecrackers illegal in Florida? Let me guess who you voted for…………….Trump?
Did you hear back from sheriff?
Very creative description at the end…
First thing crossed what’s left of my mind is what caliber bullet made it a mile over the disturbed air of that river
A 22lr can travel over a mile
One of my friends is in jail for killing a child when he 30-06 traveled across an old service road and hit a jeep.
A .22 long rifle is deadly for 1.5 miles. So caliber is not that important as knowledge and safety.
This is completely ridiculous to believe. You do not need to be a physicist to look up the amount of drop over a given distance that any particular caliber and specifically each brand and gr bullets. To miss head high a mile away you would need to be shooting a high powered round at probably ly a 45 degree angle or higher and if it were a ricochet then (a) it wouldn’t make it a mile and (b) even if it could the lethal force would have been absorbed by the first object of contact and could never be lethal a mile away
Yes sir
Sir, I live on a half acre lot with nonresidential, heavily overgrown property behind me. Am I allowed to with the use of a proper backstop, discharge my handgun ?
I live in a subdivision in the County of Marion, the state of Florida.
Has to be at least one acre
How big of a dirt mound is required to have on you land in order to shoot your guns?
I live on 2.5 acres, houses to south are the same size, some around me are less than an acre, and some are 2 acres (mix if sizes) most are zone rural residential and some are a2 and some are a1, no rhyme or reason, can I target practice if I set up correctly?
We live on 2.5 + acres, but some other properties are less than 1acre around us. We are listed as agricultural and some are RR1. Can we shoot in our back yard ?
What about the noise? That is a HUGE problem regarding backyard ranges.
Firearms are exempt from noise ordnance during certain times on week days and weekends check the local noise ordnance in your county.
Can I shoot at targets floating in the gulf or Atlantic in Florida waters. Thanks
??
If you live out in the country you have to expect it! We have many neighbors that enjoy shooting besides us
Finally someone states the problem. It’s the noise. It’s just rude and inconsiderate to fire weapons outside someone’s home. Just because a person owns multiple acres of land doesn’t mean he should be shooting loud high caliber weapons a few hundred feet from their neighbors door.
Indeed. What about noise?
Does noise pose a risk to life? To safety? To property? To each point the argument for ‘no’ can be made that is somewhere between strong and overwhelming.
Noise might be actionable as a nuisance. But that’s a another can of worms. And not a new one.
Most counties have local noise ordinances. In Pasco county it’s from 10:00PM to 7:00am. As long as you do not fire a weapon in your backyard during this time period, you’re good.
Thank you for that info. I was live in Pasco and wanted to know for training in dark, (while warding off the mosquitos) but wasn’t sure.
Not good idea. Bullets can richochet off wa es or be deflected to random vectors. Yeah, sounds silly but true. So you aim into empty area and a boat to one side or a bather way off to left gets hit.
Never had any problems where I live! And you hear people shooting every day! Just takes a little bit of common sense! And we don’t worry about that because we have very few Dumbocraps living in this area. And the ones that do are scared to death of guns, so they don’t use them anyway!
That was my understanding as well. From Sun up to Sun Down ONLY. Now l am reading this 1.25 acre comments, and l am taking notes.
I thought anything outside city limits was ok in Florida. Now l am re-thinking all this. At 50 yards away, my neighbor sounds like he is setting off Hand grenades, T-N-T, with every shot. 😆🤪😳
How about discharging a automatic weapon in a residential area
If you possess the proper license then no problem! We have a couple neighbors with full autos!
OR JUSTIFIED!!!!
If I want to shoot it, that justifies it!
“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse… .” Then the article goes on to say if you live on an acre or more you can shoot, but the law it quotes says very plainly that it is illegal to shoot on an acre or less. If you’re in a neighborhood of acre lots, it is illegal to shoot. This article doesn’t even know how to read the law.
Hi, I live in Ridge Manor Estates, built a house on 3 lots 3.30 acres) in Hernando County. I have a new land owner, not a home owner, he bought 2 lots 1.12 each of retention pond. He is using this area as a shooting range… Is it Legal ?
My dogs hate it.. I’m retired and use to enjoy my yard.. now I’m frightened to go out when he decides to come over and light up the place.
Thank you
This sounds extremely illegal, depends on area
I believe we are discussing shooting legally and no noise ordinances. I could shoot with a suppressor and you never would even know.
It’s pretty obvious, you watch way too much television. Suppressors do not silence a firearm. So yes, your neighbor might very well know if you were in your back yard discharging a firearm.
My 22lr with subsonic rounds through a suppressor is quieter than the action on the rifle. So i guess it depends on the implementation.
No, you probably think you just know everything.
Any small caliber rifle or pistol with a good silencer and/or subsonic rounds will be more quiet than a BB gun. You just proved your own incompetence
No mate sorry but it WILL NOT be as quiet as a BB gun trust me
It is quiet but it could still be identified as a gun shot if they live close enough but an acre should suffice to make it safe but not BB gun level and I’ve got a 10” can on a 10/22 so if anything would be able to make it silent it would be that
Why do people, because it’s their right, discharge any firearm on their property. Very dangerous to all involved and can be a detrement to your finances, after they sue you. You never know when a child is behind a tree on the lot next door, etc. I would not chance it for any amount of pleasure.
Actually, you are incorrect on the .22LR suppressor. They can be relatively quiet depending an the gun and suppressor model, whether its ran wet or dry etc. I know on the AR with a 16 inch barrel with a 1/16 twist, it is the action that makes the most noise. On the threaded bolt action with same length barrel and twist it is as quite as a loud thumb snap. Neighbors an acre or 2 away wouldn’t hear that.
Went to jail for shooting in my ditch outside city limits and guns were put up already
Too close to a road way. 100 yards or something is the law i believe.
Any further details about this would be appreciated.
Sorry don that’s not true because a suppressor only suppresses the sound of the firearm does not cut it out completely
I have multiple suppressors, all of which I could use on my backyard and neighbors outside in their backyard next door would NEVER have a clue. A suppressed rifle on the other hand, everyone would know.
Also consider your state laws on suppressors. Most require a special license for that.
This is completely false. You do not need a special license for a can from a state.
Not a license but you for sure need to pay the tax stamp and get it registered
My new neighbors have had guest up to 100 shooting on the 4 acres. My south neighbors trees shot up. We literally pulled casing out of them. A deputy arrived on another occasion and stated that there were over 100 ragheads over there you all are outnumbered, do not mess with them. He carded a few and they claimed not to have I’d and claimed to be visiting from middle east. Deputy said it was out of his hands and left.. When Trump got elected coincidentally the place went abandoned. Same owner though. 2 mo before Sleepy got elected the vehicles started rolling through again and here we are the shooting commencing again. Local authority state it is their 2 nd amendment right to shoot. I’m all for 2nd amendment, but foreigners with no I’d don’t have 2nd amendment rights. Good ole Putnam. Does nothing in my opinion.
Wow they were shooting bullet casings into trees? First time I’ve ever heard of that. Mad skills!
Is there a time set for target shooting on your private property, outside the city limits? Example can you target shoot at midnight and it wouldn’t be against the law in the state of Florida. Just a concern citizen.
Hillsborough county 8am to 10 pm week days and 8 an to 12 weekends. Guns are exempt from noise ordinances..so shoot up if it’s lawful and no person or property. is in danger…
thanx Joe. I have heard shots at 11:59:59.
Then it goes quiet. 🤔🤫
So, now l know.
Yup, there’s always one in every crowd. Please, try reading the article before posting.
Noise ordinance. Quiet time is a big deal. That is if the people enforcing it even knows what it is and how to read it.
So who trumps who… city ordinances, county ordinances or state law? Reason I ask is I was recently confronted by the Volusia county sheriffs telling me I can no longer shoot because I am not in unincorporated territoty. I meet all criteria to be on the up and up. I live on more than one acre, all homes in my community are on 1 acre or more lots. I built a backstop that will stop just about anything (railroad ties stacked 8′ high on 3 sides, then back filled with sand 7′ deep at the bottom tapering to 18 inches at the top, this all backs up to a wooded area).
Sheriff said I did everything right but local ordinances took precedence. I went to the cities website and searched just about everything I could think of and could only find 1 reference of firearms and that was in a state of emergency situation. Nothing pertaining to discharging a firearm.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nwfdailynews.com/article/20140214/NEWS/302149992%3Ftemplate%3Dampart
Article regarding okaloosa county where local laws banning guns in yards were not passed because state ordinances superseded them
My grandmother has over an acre and my husband shot of a round in her back yard. The police were called and told my husband having guns drawn on him that this was his only warning. That it was illegal to fire on our land because there is a hugh residential area across the street. Well, we had a neighbor firing none stop two houses over so being told it was illegal i called. The cops got onto to me and said it was perfectly fine for him. And we find out they are related. So we have one officer of the law saying its illegal and then another officer of the law who is related to the person doing the firing saying it isn’t.
Launch an internal investigation on the officer. He is not above the law nor is he the law, he should properly know it or otherwise step down. Imagine being a cop and getting gunned down for approaching someone improperly on their own property when you are in the wrong….end of watch pig, stay in line……
And THAT is called, “the good ‘ol boy” network. 😉😆
ANYTHING can be “illegal” depending upon the officer that gets there…
Jacob,
Did you ever get anywhere with this? We’re looking to buy in this area. The home we’re looking at says its “Conservation Area, In County, Unincorporated.” All homes are on over an acre. The one we’re looking at is on 3.25. Your issue has me worried though. I thought after Gov. Scott passed that law everything would be good, seems weird city ordinance would trump the state law…
State law trumps, it is against the Florida Constitution for counties and municipalities to implement gun laws and they can be severely fined if not obeyed. (Do your own research).
What was end result? I have same scenario I’m brevard. Cops just told me the same. I’d like to know what my rights as a homeowner are.do you have any answers or attorney/ official and or office to contact?
What’s the update and outcome?
State law supersedes city and county.
Sometimes cops lie. Perhaps he is antigun or maybe had a friend that lived in the area and lied to you…..or maybe he doesn’t want to keep getting calls.
I’d contact a progun lawyer if I were you and ask him or her. Print out whatever they give you.
If it turns out the cop was lying then personally I’d get back by shooting wayyyy more often.
What part of Volusia County? I like in Volusia too.
Florida Statute allows for Counties, (I’m guessing Cities also) to tweek the statute to better fit their County. They can only add to the statute following the way it’s wrote. More strict. You will see the last lines which can change, and often does, the entire ordinance. They all say same statement different words. The section where the adoption was deprived from shall apply over any other provision. If their is a conflict, where the adopted County ordinance derived from (State Statute mostly) and the conflict County ordinance was deprived from, (State Statute) shall apply over any other provisions.(County Ordinance) Same with the exceptions a County will adopt. Required to comply with all other applicable ordinances. It covers their asses if they screw up and put something in the adopted ordinance that shouldn’t be there. You have to shake your head because they can add to the statute or other acts and or laws but they can not take any laws, restrictions, regulations, etc….
Living in an area dense with horse farms and a neighbor decides to pop off a few rounds in the direction of your paddocks (but he has a back stop and obviously an ego that never misses) and the people handling horses on nearby properties are endangered by spooking/rearing horses due to the gunfire. How is this not selfish and endangering others?
Excellent point, my neighbor is constantly shooting and terrifying my horses, I’ve asked him to limit his “play” to 2 to 5 rounds, but he thinks the law is on his side since we are on acreage.. so he continues hid idiocy. I actually hate the bastard now.
I didn;t know jack about horses have 8 achers set up a range. Found out it bothered the animals talked with my nieghbors and set up time to shoot that would work for all if I had company unexpected I would let them know and for the most part all agreed
What else spooks horses? Are people not allowed to do something on their own property because you choose to own horses which apparently are deadly when they get scared?
Good point Joe, guess that means no remodeling, even if you need a new roof? I would be a good neighbor and invite/inform my neighbors that we are gonna have some range time though
So, buy him a suppressor as a present.
Sure you’re allowed Joe, but the AH who lives next to me has literally traumatized my horse because he has shooting PARTIES for 5 to 6 hours….no exaggeration ….. with every type and size weapon imaginable, including AR rounds 20-30. That’s not target practice. And so were are my rights Joe. I have to move because my neighbor is a JO.?We tried working with them like Mike. They get drunk and blast away from 2pm into the darkness.They don’t care!!! Must be nice to have money to blow on AMO. And FYI, you CHOOSE to own guns, we CHOOSE to own horses. Both can hurt you if you don’t know what you’re doing. There is such a thing as common decency. Having respect for those around you. The decimal level can exceed 172 which causes deafness in human and animal. I shouldn’t have to tranquilize my horse or plug her ears because my neighbor is a non caring JO. He has animals as well and just doesn’t care. To me this is irresponsibility, unnecessary animal cruelty and abuse.
Liberty for me! not for ye … Huh?
Things that move and things that dont !
?
I live in Orlando in the city on a lot less than 1/4 acre and was actually planning to put a range in my backyard until I came across this discussion. I even buy myself well my son a 22lr for this purpose. My question does the law apply to air rifles which is quieter even though some of them pack a powerful punch?
Yes, and I quit smoking cigars on my porch because the neighbor complained about the smell…NOT!
Grey, welcome to the country, if you don’t like the noise head on over to the other side of the pond, but at least for now this remains the land of the free, and not from danger, from tyranny. You are far more likely to die crossing the street walking your doggy or driving to work than killed by a horse spooked by a rifle report, much less the actual bullet. Horse ownership and absolute safety are not promised anywhere in our founding documents, firearm ownership on the other hand is. Please see your way to NZ, OZ, the UK, etc for gun free zones till the cows come home. I really enjoy those saturday and sunday afternoons when you know its the weekend because you can hear all the folks in the area shooting up a storm. Warms my heart to know they will all be well armed and accurate when it becomes needed.
Noise, this is an irritant at worst, not a reason to outlaw shooting, but I have a compromise. The Hearing Protection Act. Look it up, it’s a start. But we all need constitutional carry, imagine the civility! Did you ever wonder why gun fights in the old west were such a big deal, and stories passed down through time? Because they were exceeding rare…and they were rare because everyone was carrying a firearm, so people were way more respectful. I will admit that if you let 100% of the pop. carry tomorrow there would be an initial uptick in fatalities, but that would be the criminal element, just stay out of the cities for a month or two, let them get it all out, and then let the people take their streets back.
I guess your history lessons came from John Wayne movies. The Wild West wasn’t wild and almost no one carried guns for protection. Guns were for hunting.
Hope,
Constitutions does NOT say anything about owning guns only of you are hunting. No such language exists except in the minds of those who have an aversion to guns.
Actually, seems like, you sir, are the one needing a history lesson.
Amen
AMEN!!!
As I am writing this a neighbor next door is shooting. I have a horse and he is running around his paddock because of the gunfire. I am afraid to go outside…of course my mobile home won’t stop any bullets…I want to go yell at him or her but I guess the law is on their side because we live on 3 acres to 5 acres in A-1 zoning. I don’t think they have anything like a safe area with backstop. SHOULD I ASK THE POLICE TO CHECK TO SEE IF THEY ARE BEING SAFE NEIGHBORS? I don’t want them to know which neighbor I am.
You certainly could contact the police and they would come out but the best they could do is state that a neighbor called in a complaint which could cause more shooting or they could stop shooting as much I think the best bet would be to meet the neighbors and let them know your concerns we own guns we we shoot guns that does not make us evil or want to hurt others
Epstein didn’t kill himself.
BANNED.VIDEO
You sound ridiculous
Maybe you should move in to a deed restricted gated community, high density living at it’s best. Maybe a mobile home park with pickleball and swimming in a heated pool. I have guns, rarely shoot, and don’t ever remember having bullets cross the property line. As a responsible gun owner I hate those idiots who can’t manage their projectiles. Yes they may ruin gun ownership for everyone. Good luck in your mobile home next hurricane. I would like to see those units banned in south Florida. All that flying metal in a windstorm frightens me.
Me too Joe here in central Fl.
Go get’em Karen!
I rent 9 acres with a pond, literally 100 feet from city limits in pasco county, but I’m still considered the county. I wanna shoot my .22 hunting rifle and my shotguns and a couple handguns, am I allowed to do so? I dont wanna break any laws, my driveway is connected to us hwy 301 and there is an apartment complex on one side of my house, (were completely gated in on private property) but the rest of the land is open.
I live on almost 3 acres I have a dirt mound in my back yard we use as a backdrop for target shooting, there are woods behind my house, and my neighbors also have more than an acre, do I have to have a special permit to target shoot
Does this apply to just the property owners? We have an empty neighboring parcel owned by a person who lives out-of-town. He has given permission for someone to come by and target shoot….and it isn’t a .22…more like an AK47 with a huge concussion. It totally freaks out our equines and dogs.
Is it legal for non-property owners to shoot on a parcel of land?
Are you allowed to let another person come over to your property and say sit in your backyard basket weaving while you’re living out of town? That should answer the question about them letting another person use their property for anything they are allowed to do on it also.
Is there a time limit on how long y9u can shoot your guns at one time
Until you run out of ammo 🙂
I have an unreasonable neighbor who has constructed a makeshift range approx. 100 ft from my home and is using it commercially. Recently I suffered a bullet thru my window in my home from a ricochet off a steel target. Law enforcement states they can do nothing until injury or death however code enforcement has shut down these activities. Property owner continues to shoot commercially on weekend when code enforcement is off duty. Recently night shooting has become the norm. I carried a firearm professionally for years, am a gun collector and shoot at an approved, legal range. How do I stop this activity before its too late. My family should not be prisoners in our home while these idiots carry on
You have the right to sue them for the replacement of your window. No emotional damages apply, so don’t embarrass yourself in front of the judge or your neighbor. Your neighbor will probably get a kick out of that stunt & shoot more. If he is indeed doing it commercially, then I would suspect you would have the right to enter their property & shoot some video as evidence. Of course enter at your own risk. Video evidence of the noise from your yard should be enough to convince the judge to rule in your favor. Cost of the window replaced by a professional with your receipt & picture of the broken window in hand $250.00+ ; court costs $165.00+ ; Price your neighbor will pay for his ignorance $415.00+
someone suggested to me, setting up your own gun range with the backstop in line with their shooting line.
Take them to civil court. You need to have video or audio to show the courts. It should be an easy win.
Shoot back!
What about city limits? There’s a cow pasture within city limits that has a coyote problem. Could they hunt on the property, it’s well over an anchor
I live in Florida with a family farm that I have hunted on for over 50 years. They county built a school next door now and I am concerned about shooting a deer on a Saturday since they play soccer next door. I could see the soccer moms being concerned when they hear the gun shot. Does anyone know if there is a law against shooting near a school even if I was there first? Obviously I would never shoot towards the school, only away from it. Thank you.
Not sure how accurate this is regarding the 1.25 acres. Maybe I am interpreting it wrong. Please clarify. “If you own 1.25 acres, have one home (or more) and your surrounding neighbors have one acre or more than shooting is allowed.” We live in a residential area where the majority live on 1 acre lots. People are stating on our neighborhood social media page that recreational shooting on private property is allowed wehere we live.
790.15
(4) Any person who recreationally discharges a firearm outdoors, including target shooting, in an area that the person knows or reasonably should know is primarily residential in nature and that has a residential density of one or more dwelling units per acre, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.
In this article here its states 1.25 acers to be on the safe side.
A retired cop bought the property behind me so he could target shoot into the woods behind his house. There is about 3 acres of woods between us that he shoots into. Problem is the woods are all on my property and the bullets occasionally make it through not to mention I have horses and cattle that go into the woods. When I complained I was told to keep my mouth shut and keep my animals out of the woods when they are shooting which is almost every day. Was told to be careful driving down the road if I keep complaining.
Your neighbor is a punk and possibly psychopath. Maybe it would be safer for you to find better place to live.
record your next interaction in secrecy and if he makes a direct threat that whole wire tapping law doesn’t apply. it was decided that what is being recorded decides if the law applies. one day when he’s shooting call the police and say there’s a mad man with a gun running around in your backwoods. maybe you’ll be lucky enough that the cops will drive up in stealth mode, go out there as the retarr I mean retired cops starts shooting again. Then nothing matters if the cop’s on your property and the other guy is shooting in his direction it will be escalated really fast. Also, move.
Call the police. They MUST have a backstop and cannot shoot into your property. Also there are rules about shooting into livestock. This same thing happened to me. The police stopped it.
Been shooting guns for many years . I consider myself a person that takes all the neighbors concerns into account . One or two acres is not much when you consider the noise . I no longer shoot on my back property . I would rather have good neighbors than be a bully and be that guy that is shunned. I now bought twenty acres two miles away with no homes near for shooting and camping that I visit often .
what about the people who hunt on horseback? or shoot targets?
@ Robert F. That’s crazy! Sorry to hear about that. has anything transpired since then?
I really don’t have a problem with this law. My question is, what is a REASONABLE allotment of time for target shooting. And, what is the consensous about the number of shooters participating?
What was end result? I have same scenario 1 acre, good backstop. Acres of lake/ woods behind me In brevard. Cops just told me the same.i was breaking the law because I live in a HOA deed restricted community. I have neighbors (all acre lots or bigger, even bigger properties all around)that could hear my rifle. Perfectly safe shooting but its noise scares her. I’d like to know what my rights as a homeowner are.do you have any answers or attorney/ official and or office to contact?
Robert F.
Go get posted signs which state;”No trespassing, no firearms, hunting..etc”! Post them every 500 feet! I would also suggest getting a Security system with both audio and video”! People do NOT have the right to fire weapons onto your private property; nor do they have the right to threaten your life!
Why can someone setup a “shooting range” within 300 feet of occupied houses in the state of Florida?
I am living in Polk county Fl. and I have 7acres, and each neighbor has 5 and 10 acres each. I do not own a firearm and I am getting shot at by both neighbors! Bullet holes all over my home and barn as new as tis week. I tried talking to the neighbors, but to dice! They just deny deny deny. But there IS NO one else that it could be. Just us three at the cul de sac and my bullet holes are on their sides only. 2+2=4! Im calling the police out tomorrow about the holes this week. They were below neck level and above knee level. I live alone out here. Not cool!
You may have no choice but to take them to civil court.
I too am curious about the statement that you were ok to shoot on your property if you owned more than 1.25 acres. Where is that specified in the law?
790.15
(4) Any person who recreationally discharges a firearm outdoors, including target shooting, in an area that the person knows or reasonably should know is primarily residential in nature and that has a residential density of one or more dwelling units per acre, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.
The article here states 1.25 acers just to be on the safe side. (I am not a lawyer)
If I have a .6 acre lot that is in an undeveloped area where there is only 3-4 houses within a half mile of my property and I have a backstop, can I shoot legally on my property?
Any person who recreationally discharges a firearm outdoors, including target shooting, in an area that the person knows or reasonably should know is primarily residential in nature and that has a residential density of one or more dwelling units per acre, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree
I own a 11 acre property in Hernando county, can i shoot in my property even though i dont have a home build yet?
Many dogs and cats also become very agitated by the sound of loud gun fire. Back yard gun range noise can be much worse than a simple irritant. The noise emanating from my neighbors backyard range is more like canon fire. It seems old senior citizens who enjoy peace and quiet must move to a zero land gated community here in Florida to experience country serenity. The backyard gun ranges on a few measly acres may be legal, for the time being, but being legal is not always right.
We bought a 10 acre property with county recorded deed restrictions that not only prohibit the discharge of firearms on our land, but also does not allow this activity on hundreds of acres of surrounding land with the same county recorded covenants. Sadly, we soon learned after we moved in that the deed restrictions are not enforced.
I am a responsible gun owner and look forward to more responsible laws governing the use of firearms.
I have a question I live in a pretty rural neighborhood. At the curve there is actually a Hunting Club that surrounds Area and right across the street from me there is a group of about 30 people who have gathered over there on somebody’s private property and they’re calling their selves a militia they roll up in our neighborhood and I’ve never once introduced ourselves to any neighbor to myself to the two ladies that I care for and they have like cards that actually stand out by the gate and there in Army attire anyway these people get out of their vehicles and not just your regular 22 or 410 AR pistol I mean some big weapons are being fired over there what are the rules of the word that means in these people do that they say they have a shooting range built over there but nobody in this neighborhood seems to know what’s going on right this moment I’m sitting here in my truck and I’m hearing all these guns go off and I’m feeling very threat I’ve called the sheriff about 3 hours ago and I’m not going to call back yet anybody tell me anything about the Northwest Florida militia they call their self and I’m sure if you have your own here and probably will be reading as I have great concern because I have a son with autism is that so fear severe problems elderly ladies that are above 70 years old that live with me and all their shooting is just different will ever hear the waters fire their weapon I’m at a loss here. Sorry for the spelling and I hope everybody can understand what I’m saying I just don’t know what to do and I’m probably putting myself out there putting this even on this site somebody please help me with this and what to do I just think these people are very rude obnoxious and very disrespectful to roll up in a neighborhood and just start doing this countries in hundreds of rounds of ammunition is being fired over there
Need help with range we have under AG tourism 150 ac. And neighbor keeps seeing use
Help
Lee county
I agree with you! We had 4 horses and a neighbor that constantly shot all kind of firearms. We used this as a training opportunity! When ever he was shooting they got stalled with special treats, and extra feed. When they no longer reacted in their stalls we did the same in the farthest pasture and worked them closer over time. The result was firearm noise proofed horses. How does one think they trained them in the westerns where you can fire from their back? We took advantage of that and continued at first with a cap gun closer and closer until we could shoot over, and under the horses. They ended up being used for mounted patrol. If an owner seems angry and upset, as leader of the herd, the horses will also fear thinking of it as a threat. If you condition them, and make it a fun and happy atmosphere every time there is shooting, you can help them ignore it. To undo it at this point would take work. However, that being said, alcohol and firearms don’t mix. The neighbor should be cited for that alone if for no other reason. If you have a neighbor that is mature, you should be able to explain that you need to know when they will be shooting, so you can be prepared to condition your horses at that time. Eventually the horses will care less about loud explosive or sudden noises, and everyone will get along. I have seen people make the same mistakes with dogs during July 4. They don’t like it or want to take the time to condition their dogs, so the dogs freak out, because they pick up on the pack leader’s negativity. The only down side is them wanting to run TO the fireworks because they think they are great and treat worthy. I am not claiming this works for everyone. Whenever we are going to shoot we call the neighbors and give them a heads up. It is the considerate thing to do. We also asked them for their phone numbers so we could do just that prior to our shooting and work out a schedule. No one will appreciate shooting if they are trying to watch a game or do a zoom church or other meeting online. Consideration is the answer.
Is it legal for me to use a training handgun that shoots simulation ammo in my back yard in the city? The gun only shoots non-lethal marking cartridges, so I would assume that it falls under the does not pose foreseeable danger exception.
That is a great question. I would think ‘simuntion’ ammo would be in the grey area. I doubt a law enforcement officer would give you a hard time with those types of training ammo.
Is it illegal to shoot a gun in your garage, in a residential neighborhood, with lots less than 1/2 acre? My neighbor is doing this. I live in Port Orange, FL.
If you are shooing in your garage with the door closed I would think you would be ok. You may get a noise complaint and responding law enforcement would not be able to enter the home without a warrant or some sort of exigent circumstances. It would be illegal to shoot in the garage but the officers wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if they made contact with you outside the home. (I am not a lawyer)
This is very interesting reading.
I’m from Texas and am not familiar with Florida law. In Texas, though, it is illegal one to shoot across property lines. I’ve been told that the Game Wardens will investigate such issues.
It doesn’t affect me much on a farm out in the country covering a section. It is just under a half mile to the nearest road. Also, we have a nice earthen dam built in the 40’s for a backstop.
Would I be legal? I live in an unincorporated area of the county. I have almost 3 acres of backyard. There are no dwellings in the 9 acres lot behind my backyard. There are no dwellings in the 2 acre lot to the right of my backyard, nor in the 2 acres to the left of my backyard.
BUT, across the street (regular 2-lane) there are many dwellings occupying half-acre or less lots. Though my land is very rural, it is part of a residential village with an HOA. If I set up a safe backstop, and there’s no mention of firearms in the HOA, would it be legal for me to target shoot in my backyard?
Noise ordinance. Quiet time is a big deal. That is if the people enforcing it even knows what it is and how to read it.
What if you have livestock within 500ft? Even though we are on 10 acres I’m afraid of them running through the fence. They’re shooting ar-15 and rifles and automatics.
Florida statute 790.15 (4) seem to be specific to outdoors. Is there an ordinance that would apply if a short shooting range was constructed totally underground?
Been thinking of building a short range (about 15 yard) totally underground with proper ventilation, filtering (air) and sound suppress (still research sound suppression). The neighborhood is mainly 1/3 to ½ areas lots with homes. My concern was noise till I read this post. Chief reason for the underground range is to test reload samples, and it could also be used as a tornado “safety” room. Water table seems to be over 10 ft (down), but still researching and planning…
Pneumatic or pcp weapons are not subject to firearm legalities but are serious weapons.
I plan on retiring in Sarasota or Manatee County and I was wondering who has a range in their backyard and the has had issues? I spoke to a Deputy in Sarasota and they told me that people just call dispatch and say they will be shooting and and the time frame and that is it.
It’s all fine and dandy to make sure your abiding by the law setting up backyard ranges but it only takes one neighbor to claim your shooting gave them ptsd and sues your pants off, get a good attorney
Would 2 acres of land be enough?