Legal to shoot snakes in yard?

[jason812]

I saw some CCI .22lr quiet (700ish fps) at Cabelas. Thought about getting a box to see how quiet it actually is just out of curiosity. I imagine this is tailored to the growing supperssor market and was wondering if it would cycle in the P22. These might be an option especially if you only fire once. Or a supperssor is another option. I don't have to worry about noise but I still want to try these.

I use a hoe and a .22 for snakes. Hoe to hold them still and .22 to take care of them. I don't like snakes.

[EEllis]

You can shoot in self defence but not pest control inside most city limits.

[Maxwell]

I have a really nice flat blade shovel that gives me a 10 inch blade width and 4+ feet of safe distance. Though to be honest I'd not hesitate use a .410 full of bird shot in my residential neighborhood and not think twice.

"Well no Deputy , I didn't hear a thing. Why?"

[jmra]

You could use the opportunity to hone your archery skills.

[winters]

I would use a garden hoe. I have a 22 supressor and i wouldnt risk going to jail over it.

[EEllis]

I would use a garden hoe. I have a 22 supressor and i wouldnt risk going to jail over it.

It wouldn't be a jailable offence. It's a violation of city ordinance.

[Oldgringo]

I would use a garden hoe. I have a 22 supressor and i wouldnt risk going to jail over it.

It wouldn't be a jailable offence. It's a violation of city ordinance.

There are snakes in the city?

[Maxwell]

I would use a garden hoe. I have a 22 supressor and i wouldnt risk going to jail over it.

It wouldn't be a jailable offence. It's a violation of city ordinance.

There are snakes in the city?

This is Texas...

[winters]

Don't think the police can't arrest you over it. They can basically arrest you for almost anything.

[EEllis]

Don't think the police can't arrest you over it. They can basically arrest you for almost anything.

Well if they lie and ignore the law they can arrest you for nothing but I don't worry about it. If you have a gun on you and step on what you believe is a poisonous snake the law says you can shoot it and necessity is a defence to prosecution. So here in houston not only would the cops have to think you were lying. The DA they have to call to see if they will take charges will have to think you are lying and that they can prove that in court. Then there would have to be something else besides the simple discharge of a firearm inside the city limits. So yes you can be arrested but you can get arrested for a traffic ticket also I guess.

[srothstein]

There are snakes in the city?

Yep, but most have two legs and are not the subject of this discussion.

[Oldgringo]

There are snakes in the city?

Yep, but most have two legs and are not the subject of this discussion.

I was waiting for this...

[jmra]

There are snakes in the city?

Yep, but most have two legs and are not the subject of this discussion.

And their actions often make it legal for them to be shot.

[Blindref757]

Even with ordinances for discharging, if you are getting rid of vermin on your property you likely won't be cited. If so, most municipal judges would not find fault in Texas. However, know that you are 100% responsible for every round that leaves the chamber and shooting a gun in a residential area should be well calculated. I'm guessing that if you hit it with a shotgun, then went inside and kept your mouth shut, nobody would ever know. What you do on your property is your business unless you harm someone's person or property. An officer would have to get a warrant if you didn't allow him to investigate in your back yard. Be safe and be smart. IANL

[cb1000rider]

1) I wouldn't use shooting "vermin" as an excuse for violating a firearms ordnance. I would use "felt threatened" or "defending my property". If I was a LEO, I'd cite someone for shooting a pest, but not a threat. Either way, you can still get cited and perhaps convicted.

2) A warrant isn't needed to enter your backyard if they're actively looking for the source of gunfire or investigating a crime in progress. If your neighbors call and can point in your general direction, that's all that's really needed.

3) You're 100% right on the safety side.