Where you CAN"T shoot?

[OverEasy]

I need a little help on this topic.

I live in Waller Co. out in the county outside of any city. I'm aware of TX Penal Code 22.05 Deadly Conduct....... (b) A person commits an offense if he knowingly discharges a firearm at or in the direction of:.....(2) a habitation, building, or vehicle and is reckless as to whether the habitation,ect. is occupied.

Is there anything in the law about how far away the building has to be?

I thought I read someting about having a property of more than 50 acres before you could shoot?

I'm in an area of 2-1/2, 5 and 10 acre tracts. Sometimes it sounds like a war is going on out here. I would like to have some knowledge of the law before I talk to the neighbors and or the sheriff.

Thanks, OE

[Lonegun1894]

i know this isnt statewide, but the city of Waco says you can hunt inside city limits if you have 10 or more acres IN CITY LIMITS. Everything applies as far as the projectile not leaving your property and so on. A friend out in the sticks has about 5 acres and we shoot on his property all the time. We built a berm out there and usually limit it to handguns and shotguns, but i know we are legal out there, at least according to the local sherriff's dept.

[AG-EE]

The 50 acres or more is to shoot a rifle if you live inside an incorporated city. I believe it is 10 acres where you can hunt with a shotgun inside a city. Outside of a city, you can shoot on your land, even if well below 10 acres, as long as you take steps to shoot safely (i.e. not shooting towards houses, etc). I don't think there is anything you can do to stop them from shooting.

Instead of going directly to the police, why don't you try to talk with them and ask if they would limit their shooting to some agreed hours or something?

[OverEasy]

Thanks lonegun1894 and AG-EE.

I talked to a deputy and according to him if there is no county or city law regarding discharge of firearms you can shoot all you want to. As long as the bullets stay on your property. He said you can shoot any direction you want as long as the bullets stay on your property, you only commit a crime if the bullet leaves your property.

So, my neighbors aren't doing anything unlawful UNTIL somebody gets shot or animals or property are damaged.

But then again, I can shoot on my property too.

A quote from OE: "Freedom is a great thing unless idiots are involved"

Regards, OE

[Piney]

Greetings--

I recall reading a note somewhere about a new TX law regarding shooting (hunting ?) across a property line. I'll keep digging around and see what I can find again. Anyone else run across this little jewel of legislation ?

I remember reading that and saying to myself how odd that sounded. We shoot out on our property (20 acres or so) out in the county.

WIth regards to simply discharging a firearm--I suppose you could complain about the noise issues. THe range I shoot at recently had to enforce official hours (6a-9:30p) due to complaints from neighbors. It sits on 150 acres. Im certian that the Club's board is simply being a good neighbor-- no law issues.

[lrb111]

Greetings--

I recall reading a note somewhere about a new TX law regarding shooting (hunting ?) across a property line. I'll keep digging around and see what I can find again. Anyone else run across this little jewel of legislation ?

I remember reading that and saying to myself how odd that sounded. We shoot out on our property (20 acres or so) out in the county.

WIth regards to simply discharging a firearm--I suppose you could complain about the noise issues. THe range I shoot at recently had to enforce official hours (6a-9:30p) due to complaints from neighbors. It sits on 150 acres. Im certian that the Club's board is simply being a good neighbor-- no law issues.

The outdoor range i belong to also has shooting hours. But it seems the hours are concurrent with sunrise and sunset.
If anyone wants to do after sundown shooting it has to be approved by the board, and that is only after a survey of the neighbors has taken place.
I was told by a long time board member that it was, as you said, being good neighbors.

Open noise levels are actually until 10 pm Sun through Thurs, and midnight Fri and Sat. in the counties where i live.