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Where to shoot?
When I was stationed in Washington and other places in the Northwest, you could just drive out to public land pretty much anywhere and shoot freely (but safely). There was often areas that were either set up by the state as public shooting areas or were widely accepted as such. However, can you shoot a gun just anywhere in rural Texas? Many new firearm owners wonder exactly when and where they can use their guns legally, and it just makes sense that you might want to shoot in an outdoor area. However, with Texas being 94% private owned, there is very little public land available for those purposes. While there are ways around it, you’ll need to do a few checks to make sure it’s legal and safe. Here are a few things you need to know before just stopping on the side of the road and breaking the law. As always, if you need high quality firearms knowledge and training, or the highest-quality Texas Online LTC course available, visit www.aimhighltc.com and sign up today!.
Know Who Owns the Property
Since almost all of Texas is privately owned, knowing who you’re dealing with can ensure you shoot legally and don’t get shot back at! For example, you wouldn’t want to be caught trespassing and firing your firearm at the same time, since this could lead to criminal charges or a person lawfully shooting and killing you! If you or someone you know owns the property, then you’re pretty much safe depending on the factors below.
Check the City Codes
What if you have a friend inside city limits who has more than 10 acres? Well, the only way to answer that is to check with the local authorities, However, it is unlikely that any city will allow shooting a firearm within the city limits. Moreover, some areas that appear rural may still be governed by local codes and ordinances. The only safe bet is if you’re unsure, especially on a property that’s just outside the city limits, contact the local municipality and check. Generally speaking, there are state laws and local ordinances restricting shooting within certain distances of residential neighborhoods and size of acreage. If there are city ordinances restricting your shooting and you’re on land that’s 10 acres or greater, may still be able to shoot, according to Texas Government Code if the city is smaller than 100,000 people. Again, check your local codes and laws as Texas code on this subject can be tricky.
Safety First
Just because you’re out in the country doesn’t mean that you can ignore safety rules. You have a responsibility to make sure your shots don’t cross property lines or pose a risk to anyone else. You need to know not just what you’re shooting, but also what lies beyond. Always shoot into a backstop, whether manmade something natural.
Treat It Like You’re the Range Safety Officer of your own Shooting Range
Now that you’ve verified that you’re safe and legal, you’re ready to set up your target practice. Designate an area to set up your target, and communicate with the other people in your party to make sure everyone knows to the rules of the range and to verbalize when the range is hot or cold. Keeping up your safety practices is extra important when you could be miles away from emergency services. Additionally, it’s a great idea to have a trauma medical kit always available…but especially when shooting!
It’s important for gun owners to be thoroughly familiar with the laws that apply to the use of guns in their jurisdictions. If you have questions about the local laws about gun use in your area, reach out to experienced professionals for guidance. When they need information on firearms safety, training, or Texas Online LTC classes, gun owners trust the expertise of the pros from Aim High LTC. If you have questions about any aspect of gun ownership in Texas, give us a call today at 580-478-7744. Follow us on YouTube and Facebook