air guns in the suburbs

[mr.72]

I live in the suburbs. Cedar Park TX. My kids have suddenly taken a liking to shooting my old, beat-up, barely-functional BB rifle in the back yard. They are beginning to ask for a better BB rifle and maybe a pistol.

The Cedar Park code of ordinances says:

Sec. 8.01.002 Prohibited

It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm, bow and arrow, crossbow or blow gun within the corporate limits of the city. (1998 Code, sec. 7.102)

and previously...

Blow gun. A long, tube-like weapon through which darts or pellets are blown.

No mention of a regular "air gun".

So does an air rifle or air pistol qualify as a "blow gun"?

The Cedar Park ordinances are here:
http://codes.franklinlegal.net/cedarpark-flp/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Before we go buy BB guns for the kids to shoot out back, I want to make sure it's absolutely, unequivocally legal.

[Rex B]

You may have to call the COP on that one.

[SCone]

Only reference I've found so far....

ARTICLE 8.03 REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO CONDUCT IN PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
Sec. 8.03.001 Miscellaneous
It shall be unlawful for any person in a city park, recreation area or cave preserve to:

(1) Walk, bring or allow a pet into a city park without a leash. Pets shall be leashed and secured at all times.

(2) Fail to pick up and properly dispose of pet waste deposited by their pet.

(3) Damage, cut, carve or remove any tree, plant or wood.

(4) Light, build or maintain fires except in designated BBQ grills or fire rings.

(5) Wade or swim in areas other than swimming pools or water playscapes unless posted to allow such activities.

(6) Enter areas posted: “Closed to the Public.”

(7) Carry, possess, or discharge a gun, bow and arrow, air or gas weapon, paintball gun or marker, or any instrument with a propelling force, spring, air or gas that is capable of being used for the purpose of hunting.


Here in Mesquite, the only regulation is about shooting across property lines or into the street.

[KBCraig]

If you don't blow through it, it's not a blow gun.

[srothstein]

From the reading shown here, a BB or pellet gun would be legal. It is not a firearm or a blow gun, and the section on parks clearly shows the city knows the difference and the existence of these toys. What is not specifically prohibited is permitted (be careful about teaching that to your children too early in their lives).

[AggieMM]

Howdy neighbor. I believe you are ok, as the ordinance defines firearm as:

Code: Select all

Firearm. Any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance.

Here's my question awhile back on the same subject:

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... ark#p71321" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ryan

[mr.72]

Yes I'm pretty sure I'm ok as well. However, you know, I just want to avoid trouble if possible. In Leander (neighboring town), it is clearly not legal, per their clear ordinance:

Sec. 8.102 Air Guns, Air Rifles and Similar Devices

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to shoot or discharge an air gun, air rifle, BB gun, pellet gun or similar instrument.

So when I grew up in Leander and shot my BB guns all over the place, it was illegal. Lucky for me I moved to Cedar Park.

I'll probably have a chat with my neighbors about it to be sure they are not going to call the police if they see me or my kids out there shooting.

[AggieMM]

True, I'm very surprised by the specific wording of the Cedar Park ordinance, but I'm not going to complain, nor point it out to them.

Ryan