Shooting a rifle on private property?

[Omar]

I have a semi-automatic AK and I'm 21. A friend of mine owns 30 acres and I was wondering what the Texas laws were in regards to shooting on his property. I read the 79 pdf or so pages on the DPS site and didn't find nothing about this topic. Another question that I have is really stupid... If it's ok to shoot on a 30 acre private property is it ok to shoot in your back yard since it is private property? I live in an heavily populated neighborhood, by the way. I would never do it but is it illegal?

Is there a site that has all this information?

[machinisttx]

As long as there are no local ordinances prohibiting it, and it falls within the guidelines set by state law(I had a printout of the acreage requirements for shooting inside city limits, but have since lost it), it's legal.

[Mike1951]

Texas gives counties the authority to regulate discharging firearms on tracts of less than 10 acres.

Some counties do, some don't.

[kidder014]

There are quite a few municipalities that have an ordinance against discharging firearms within city limits. Be sure to check your local ordinances regarding this.

[Shiner Bock]

Make sure that your bullets don't cross property lines, i.e. have a good backstop.

[bauerdj]

Can anyone tell me what the rules are for Montgomery County? I am outside city limits so I am ok in that respect. Obviously I will need to contain the bullets travel with a berm and will probably make it 3 sided.

[drw]

Can anyone tell me what the rules are for Montgomery County? I am outside city limits so I am ok in that respect. Obviously I will need to contain the bullets travel with a berm and will probably make it 3 sided.

I'd recommend you call the non-emergency number for your county sheriff's office and just ask them. They'll be more than happy to give you the information you need.

From http://www.mocosheriff.com/
Non-emergencies & General Info. - (936) 760-5871 or (281) 364-4200

[rm9792]

Can anyone tell me what the rules are for Montgomery County? I am outside city limits so I am ok in that respect. Obviously I will need to contain the bullets travel with a berm and will probably make it 3 sided.

I'd recommend you call the non-emergency number for your county sheriff's office and just ask them. They'll be more than happy to give you the information you need.

From http://www.mocosheriff.com/
Non-emergencies & General Info. - (936) 760-5871 or (281) 364-4200

Its a roll of the dice whether the info will be accurate or not though.

[Mike1951]

Can anyone tell me what the rules are for Montgomery County? I am outside city limits so I am ok in that respect. Obviously I will need to contain the bullets travel with a berm and will probably make it 3 sided.

I'd recommend you call the non-emergency number for your county sheriff's office and just ask them. They'll be more than happy to give you the information you need.

From http://www.mocosheriff.com/
Non-emergencies & General Info. - (936) 760-5871 or (281) 364-4200

Its a roll of the dice whether the info will be accurate or not though.

I agree. Unfortunately, law enforcement agencies are not a reliable source of information on the law.

[Omar]

Guys, I have searched and searched for the ordinances on discharging a firearm and keep coming up with nothing... Where should I get the facts?

[machinisttx]

The county courthouse and city hall would probably have the information you need.

[Mike1951]

Texas gives counties the authority to regulate discharging firearms on tracts of less than 10 acres.

Some counties do, some don't.

From the TPWD site:

hunt in a subdivision with lots 10 acres or less in an unincorporated area of a county if the commissioners court, by order, prohibits the discharge of a firearm or the use of archery equipment in such subdivisions. (Contact local county clerk and ask about 235.022, Local Government Code.)

[KBCraig]

Guys, I have searched and searched for the ordinances on discharging a firearm and keep coming up with nothing... Where should I get the facts?

For 30 acres outside city limits, there won't be any ordinances to find.

If you're looking for the preemption law, it's Local Government Code Chapter 235:

SUBCHAPTER B. FIREARMS

§ 235.021. SUBDIVISIONS COVERED BY SUBCHAPTER. This
subchapter applies only to a subdivision all or a part of which is
located in the unincorporated area of a county and for which a plat
is required to be prepared and filed under Chapter 232.

§ 235.022. AUTHORITY TO REGULATE. To promote the public
safety, the commissioners court of a county by order may prohibit or
otherwise regulate the discharge[0] of firearms on lots that are 10
acres or smaller and are located in the unincorporated area of the
county in a subdivision.

§ 235.023. PROHIBITED REGULATIONS. This subchapter
does not authorize the commissioners court to regulate the
transfer, ownership, possession, or transportation of firearms and
does not authorize the court to require the registration of
firearms.

§ 235.024. INJUNCTION. Any person is entitled to
appropriate injunctive relief to prevent a violation or threatened
violation of a prohibition or other regulation adopted under this
subchapter from continuing or occurring.

§ 235.025. CRIMINAL PENALTY. A person commits an
offense if the person intentionally or knowingly engages in conduct
that is a violation of a regulation adopted under this subchapter by
the commissioners court. An offense under this section is a Class C
misdemeanor. If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this
section that the person has previously been convicted of an offense
under this section, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.

[Omar]

Guys would it matter if it's agricultural land? He does have livestock on his land.

All we do is set up targets with a HUGE mound of dirt behind it (about two stories high) and target practice. We use a glock 21, glock 20, .308 ar-10, m91/30, and an akm.

I just want to be sure. THanks!

[Oldgringo]

Guys would it matter if it's agricultural land? He does have livestock on his land.

All we do is set up targets with a HUGE mound of dirt behind it (about two stories high) and target practice. We use a glock 21, glock 20, .308 ar-10, m91/30, and an akm.

I just want to be sure. THanks!

If y'all comply with the four safety rules and it's outside any city limits, shoot until someone in authority tells you to stop and why.

Enjoy.