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Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:16 pm
by 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.
Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 10:30 pm
by EEllis
You can shoot in self defence but not pest control inside most city limits.
Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 10:48 pm
by 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?"

Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 5:41 am
by jmra
You could use the opportunity to hone your archery skills.
Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 10:15 pm
by winters
I would use a garden hoe. I have a 22 supressor and i wouldnt risk going to jail over it.
Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:29 am
by EEllis
winters wrote: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.
Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:37 am
by Oldgringo
EEllis wrote:winters wrote: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?

Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:44 am
by Maxwell
Oldgringo wrote:EEllis wrote:winters wrote: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...
Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 12:08 pm
by winters
Don't think the police can't arrest you over it. They can basically arrest you for almost anything.
Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 6:44 pm
by EEllis
winters wrote: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.
Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 7:39 pm
by srothstein
Oldgringo wrote:There are snakes in the city?

Yep, but most have two legs and are not the subject of this discussion.
Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 8:17 pm
by Oldgringo
srothstein wrote:Oldgringo wrote: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...

Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 6:19 am
by jmra
srothstein wrote:Oldgringo wrote: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.
Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 9:45 pm
by 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

Re: Legal to shoot snakes in yard?
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 12:39 am
by 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.