Safe to shoot at grass?

[txinvestigator]

So they are intended to keep you from firing across a road that could potentially have patrons on it, even though you may own the property where the bullet was fired and the property where it is intended to land? That still doesn't explain why, in #7, you can discharge on a public road, and in #9, you can't. Shouldn't they have just changed #7 to read:
"discharges a firearm on or across a public road or
other public place other than a sport shooting range,
as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code;"
Then #9 wouldn't be needed. That would make more sense to me.

#7 does not say you can, it simply does not prohibit it.

[Skipper5]

I know it can be unsafe to shoot a gun in the air, but if you shoot at the ground (grass not concrete) will it be ok?

Sorry Boma....wanted to get kinda back to your question.
After reading the thread...it IS as clear as Mud....So the definitive answer is:
Yes...er...welll...wait what kind of grass...St. Augustine?...Bermuda?...on the 18th hole?...Then NO...not safe...but,
Well, you see it could be safe if it was soft grass...but, my lawn has stones under the top surface...so NO, unless you shoot anything lighter than an RPG over where the grass and rose bushes are!

There, I feel better now for having explained this! Boma, hope this clarified my position....er, what was my position anyway?

[kauboy]

So they are intended to keep you from firing across a road that could potentially have patrons on it, even though you may own the property where the bullet was fired and the property where it is intended to land? That still doesn't explain why, in #7, you can discharge on a public road, and in #9, you can't. Shouldn't they have just changed #7 to read:
"discharges a firearm on or across a public road or
other public place other than a sport shooting range,
as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code;"
Then #9 wouldn't be needed. That would make more sense to me.

#7 does not say you can, it simply does not prohibit it.

If the law doesn't prohibit something, then it allows it. The purpose of law is to tell you what is illegal. It may not "say" its okay, but its implied... until you read #9 of course.

[seamusTX]

It's possible that shooting on a road was once made illegal by another law, possibly criminal mischief. I can't find it, though.

I found a similar example of this in another area. It is the crime of animal cruelty to kill an animal that belongs to another person without permission, except for livestock.

Killing livestock or game illegally is criminal mischief, which is a more serious crime (a felony).

The two sections of law do not refer to one another.

- Jim

[casselthief]

the Legalese spoken here gives me a chuckle, now and again.

I've been taught never to laugh at a man's dog, or make fun of the way they shoot...Thats sacriligeous or something isn't it???

you know, I think that is true. least about the dog. I'll sure laugh at how people shoot, cause I KNOW I look like a goon!
but a man's dog....
that's, just not right

[flintknapper]

the Legalese spoken here gives me a chuckle, now and again.

I've been taught never to laugh at a man's dog, or make fun of the way they shoot...Thats sacrilegious or something isn't it???

you know, I think that is true. least about the dog. I'll sure laugh at how people shoot, cause I KNOW I look like a goon!
but a man's dog....
that's, just not right

There may be a dangling participle in there somewhere, but I agree with you fully. No one should make fun of the way a mans dog shoots.

After all, they don't have opposing thumbs (or any thumbs), so its kinda hard to get a good grip on a weapon. You have to support them for trying though.

[kauboy]

There may be a dangling participle in there somewhere, but I agree with you fully. No one should make fun of the way a mans dog shoots.

After all, they don't have opposing thumbs (or any thumbs), so its kinda hard to get a good grip on a weapon. You have to support them for trying though.

[seamusTX]

No one should make fun of the way a mans dog shoots.

I know someone who was shot by a dog. He was in no mood to make fun of the dog afterward.

- Jim

[jbirds1210]

No one should make fun of the way a mans dog shoots.

I know someone who was shot by a dog. He was in no mood to make fun of the dog afterward.

- Jim

Jim-
That sounds like a story I would love to hear.
Jason

[Skiprr]

"Beware of dog. He's packin'."

[seamusTX]

OK. The guy I know was visiting a friend's apartment. They were sitting on the sofa or easy chairs (I forget). BANG! The guy was shot in the thigh by a shotgun. Very close to being removed from the gene pool.

The friend had two large puppies, Dobermans or something like that. He had a loaded shotgun propped up by the door. The puppies were playing, knocked over the shotgun, and one of them apparently stuck his paw inside the trigger guard. No one saw this happen, of course.

The friend swore the shotgun was on safe.

This happened in Houston in the year 2000. It didn't make the newspapers.

Now, maybe someone had one too many beers and was fooling around; but the cops have a way of cracking stories like that.

The shooting victim eventually recovered, except for a scar. He and his former friend are no longer on speaking terms.

- Jim

[KBCraig]

The friend swore the shotgun was on safe.

It very well could have been. If it was a Rem 870 or other shotgun with a trigger block safety, and it landed on its left side, a big ol' dog paw stepping on it could disengage the safety and pull the trigger.

Kevin

[seamusTX]

If it was a Rem 870 or other shotgun with a trigger block safety, and it landed on its left side, a big ol' dog paw stepping on it could disengage the safety and pull the trigger.

I agree. I'm just careful to distinguish between what I heard and what I know (most of the time, anyway).

- Jim

[Greybeard]

Quote: "The friend swore the shotgun was on safe."

What you guys said about dogs "pawing" the safety and tripping trigger is quite valid. Being a hunter ed. instructor, I followed three instances around the country a couple of years ago where hunters got shot by their own dogs. One guy had gun laying in back of pickup and took blast in belly. Another had gun laying on ground and caught pellets in foot. The third poor slob was out in water messing with decoys when lab back on bank lit him up.

Moral of stories: If gun out of your control, clear that chamber! Dogs CAN shoot you.

[seamusTX]

Moral of stories: If gun out of your control, clear that chamber! Dogs CAN shoot you.

I agree, and that's what I do.

In the home defense situation, it's also possible for a guest to pick up the gun and fire it. Not just kids, either. Adults do stupid things, especially if they've been drinking. Some don't require chemical assistance.

- Jim