Is shooting blanks in your backyard legal?

[Arrowstorm]

The Law.

I know it's different for every state, and sometimes, even between counties. I live just outside city limits of Slidell, Lousiana in a regular old subdivision. Fireworks are illegal the rest of the year, but there is always exception during new year's and 4th of july when EVERYONE is doing it. So we have fireworks stands and everything.

I just want to make a big boom. I've set off uh..... homemade stuff (no shrapnel whatsoever of course) in the past and everyone just gasps in suprise. This year, I'm wondering if anyone knows if it's legal to just load my flintlock with powder, point it in a safe direction, prime it, and shoot it off. I shoot blanks at the range all the time, and they tend to be not any louder than some of the mortar shells they sell round here.

Any insight would be helpful. thanks!

And Merry Christmas.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Is shooting blanks in your backyard legal?

If you are inside city limits I would guess no. At least that's how it goes locally. Depends on the ordinances. "Discharge of firearm" probably includes blanks unless specifically exempted.

I can do it at my house if I'm 500 feet from a neighbor's dwelling or have the owner's consent. But then, I can shoot a .375 H&H in my back yard if I wanted to under the same guidelines.

 

[walruskid1]

where i'm at - no. they frown on discharging a firearm, even wacking possums in the garbage cans. no sense of humor what-so-ever.

 

[oomcurt]

Just my take on this.. Where I live fireworks are not legal in town at any time. But, it seems the 4th of July, New Year's Eve folks do it and as a rule the cops let it slide. With a bp gun...I dunno...all it would take is some neighbor that has a thing against guns to raise a stink that could get costly. Not to mention once the anti's got hold of it they would have a field day.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

For a nice big bang, just blow the anvil. And, it is a traditional fourth of July bang the old fashion way.

I only recall it being shown in one movie, "Shane."

 

[Arrowstorm]

how does one "blow the anvil"?

 

[TANSTAAFL]

In no way do I advocate others try this, it is to illustrate only what I did as a kid, and nothing else.

Put desired amount of BP onto a flat hard surface with a powder train or fuse leading out a bit. Place the anvil flat side down onto the BP, and touch it off.

We did this all the time when I was a kid back in Missouri.

Also used to take a small amount of carbide placed inside a cocoa can with nail hole in the lid. Tape or attach a match with chewing gum to a long stick. Would spit onto the carbide, tap on the lid, ignite the match and place flame near the nail hole, it did go bang. If the cocoa can and lid (wired to something) was not constrained, it was usually good for only one shot, as things went sailing off.

 

[CrackStock]

Been gone from Louisiana for a few years, but I suspect that if there is no projectile, then there is no offense from the state firearms laws, but I am not sure of any local ordinances in St Tammany or the city of Slidell. The rule of thumb is that within a certain distance of a subdivision, certain nuisance ordinances come into effect. The best idea is to ask the locals.

As to making your own fireworks, you should be careful (and possibly quiet) about this as it is likely a state and federal offense. You never know who is listening! For your convenience:

http://www.atf.gov/explarson/safexpact/documents/consumerfireworks.pdf

I am sure that you never exceeded the posted limits!

CS

 

[wes1761]

As a cop In Missouri, I can say that unless you are in unincorparated County Venue, then no. It is still discharging a firearm, regardless of if you are using a projectile. The law even applies to airguns. You could be looking at Unlawful Use of A Weapon and other serious charges, Especially if a neighbor calls the Po Po on you! I would just call your local Constabulary to verify. It might be different for you. My 2 pence, hope it helps

 

[CrackStock]

I have discussed this with a friend in Louisiana. While you might be able to argue your way out of it, there are several state and local possibilities that a sharp officer might use to make your life difficult. I also understand that fireworks are local option in regulation and enforcement. Some areas ban them, but are rather selective in enforcing the regs especially on certain holidays. The farther below the radar that you stay in this, the better. I would think that waving a ML about would put you well above the radar in the minds of some policemen. They do not know whether there was a ball in there when the trigger was pulled or not and Louisiana is a bit more concerned about this issue since some woman got killed by a falling bullet in New Orleans a few years ago. His articulation could really do you harm.

Also being known as one who has made oversized fireworks in the past would be another item that places you well above the radar when compared to the average kid with a handful of fire crackers.

I would not do this unless you were at a recognized range -- which by Louisiana law offers great protection to shooters, at the legally required distance from a subdivision as required in the LA DWF hunting and state shooting laws or at a sanctioned re-enacting event.

Not what you hoped, but it is what I am told.

CS

 

[wfosborn]

That's funny, I just asked the police here the same question. I guess the law here is if I'm in the "old city limits" I can do it if it doesn't make very much noise. If I go to the "new annexed area" I can do whatever I feel like as long as I obey state and fed gun regs if I have a ball in the barrel. Here they don't seem to really care unless someone complains though.

 

[Arrowstorm]

Yeh, i guess I'll just buy the mortar rounds from the fireworks stand.

I do know a city police officer that lives down the street. I suppose I'll ask him about it next time I see him. Since my subdivision is out of city limits, he has told me in the past that airguns are legal, and I even know people who target shoot .22 rifles in thier yards. Not sure about the legality of this, but they do it often.

I'll just call up the sheriff or something. Better safe than sorry. I just figured that if I shoot some blanks in my enclosed yard on new years, and it just sounds like a really loud firecracker, no one would really notice or care.

 

[CrackStock]

Welcome Osborn!

It is good to have another Alaskan aboard. You live in a truly beautiful state. I wanted to apply for a job there, but the wife mentioned that she would miss me and over half of my check :shocked2: so I decided to stay put for now.

Back to the laws, there is a world of difference between Louisiana law and laws anywhere else. Been that way since Napolean handed the place over. Claiborne was made governor and given the authorization to maintain the Napoleanic code rather than the English common law as the basis for the legal system. This was a concessaion to the primarily French and German residents. Yes, I know that the French only had it back for 21 days, but the residents never truly accepted the Spanish rule and even sent one Spanish governor adrift on the Mississippi in his own warship -- never to return. Kind of a different place, ya know.

In short, the sheriff is quite powerful there and it is best to be careful around sheriffs and the governor in that state.

CS