Backyard Target Shooting in CT

[Clayshooter25]

Hi All…

I literally joined this group 5 minutes ago and have a question. If this is not the correct forum I apologize. 

I just moved from NY to CT.

Besides having a good backstop and knowing what is beyond my target, is there a minimum distance from other homes (in my case on each side) that I must maintain in order to shoot targets in my backyard with BBs and .22 pellets?

Is there a difference required based on handgun vs. rifle?

Is a silencer on a rifle permitted?

Is asking about CT too broad? Town is New Fairfield.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide!

 

[dizzums]

alot boils down to neighbors .. make peace with them or at least foster a respect at a distance and you wont have problems .. have zero consideration for them and you will have issues ..

 

[SHOMER]

Clayshooter25 I agree with dizzums a really good neighbor policy is always the best path. Also important is KNOWING the LAWS that govern in your state, so you stay on the correct side of any possible legal ligation. Below is a general law link for your state be safe and welcome aboard. New Fairfield appears to fall under your state general laws, which is a good thing, you are saved from those sometimes bat poop crazy local laws.

https://airgunlaws.com/connecticut-airgun-laws/

 

[brawler1588]

Welcome to the group I am in NY and chat with a few CT members and get together and shoot with some of them hopefully they can chime in and help. Coming from NY I would hope it's a little better in CT

 

[SHOMER]

Brawler1588 I am not so sure Connecticut is better, be careful up there. 

Connecticut generally prohibits any person from carrying a “BB gun” and also generally bans the knowing possession of a BB gun in a vehicle.

1.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(a). An exception exists for possession on the person’s own property or on the property of another with authorization from that person or party. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(b)(6).


2.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(a). This prohibition does not apply if the BB gun is unloaded and stored in the trunk of such vehicle or in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(b).

 

[needledriver]

Brawler1588 I am not so sure Connecticut is better, be careful up there. 

Connecticut generally prohibits any person from carrying a “BB gun” and also generally bans the knowing possession of a BB gun in a vehicle.

1.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(a). An exception exists for possession on the person’s own property or on the property of another with authorization from that person or party. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(b)(6).


2.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(a). This prohibition does not apply if the BB gun is unloaded and stored in the trunk of such vehicle or in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(b).

I presume this is to prevent shop owners and police confusion because of the very realistic looking "weapons."

 

[jps2486]

Boy, am I glad I got the hell out of CT!

 

[Clayshooter25]

Thank you for your responses!

 

[gonzav71]

Hi All…

I literally joined this group 5 minutes ago and have a question. If this is not the correct forum I apologize. 

I just moved from NY to CT.

Besides having a good backstop and knowing what is beyond my target, is there a minimum distance from other homes (in my case on each side) that I must maintain in order to shoot targets in my backyard with BBs and .22 pellets?

Is there a difference required based on handgun vs. rifle?

Is a silencer on a rifle permitted?

Is asking about CT too broad? Town is New Fairfield.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide!

Air guns are not firearms. No minimum distance is required, Just as long as you keep the BBs and pellets shot within the boundaries of your own property. 

Highly recommend to use a soft backstop like rubber mulch in a box to catch your pellets and BBs. It is a lot quieter than a steel bullet trap.

There is no difference between air pistols and air rifles.

Silencers for air rifles are fine especially if they are built in as part of the rifle or pistol such as a barrel shroud on the Benjamin Marauder.

Check your towns local ordinances.

https://www.newfairfield.org/services/permits-regulations

Hope this helps.

 

[ejsathome]

Brawler1588 I am not so sure Connecticut is better, be careful up there.

Connecticut generally prohibits any person from carrying a “BB gun” and also generally bans the knowing possession of a BB gun in a vehicle.

1.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(a). An exception exists for possession on the person’s own property or on the property of another with authorization from that person or party. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(b)(6).


2.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(a). This prohibition does not apply if the BB gun is unloaded and stored in the trunk of such vehicle or in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(b).

I am new to this forum, and I appreciate the wisdom. I live in Avon, CT, and I am aware of the CT laws pertaining to BB guns. I have excellent relationships with my two neighbors. I do a lot of gardening, but I am bothered by rabbits who do a lot of damage. I have a BB hand gun. Forgetting how "cute" these rabbits are, am I allowed to shoot rabbits within my property line with my BB hand gun?

 

[SHOMER]

I humbly submit that under normal times YES you should be permitted to take them on your OWN property. BUT these are not normal times.
I would inquire of your local controlling agencies as to their LEGAL interpretation of their requirements regarding your question.
Far better and cheaper than suffering their legalese of court costs associated with a layman's mistake or misstep.

 

[SHOMER]

Further I would ask for a business card of each agency official talked with and if by chance is there a departmental ordnance booklet etc. available. On the back of each card write the date and time of meeting and store everything in a safe place, for any future reference if needed. Should you encounter a dim witted eager beaver Barney Fife type farther down the road.

"Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not offend the imbeciles" ~Dostoieski

 

[ejsathome]

Further I would ask for a business card of each agency official talked with and if by chance is there a departmental ordnance booklet etc. available. On the back of each card write the date and time of meeting and store everything in a safe place, for any future reference if needed. Should you encounter a dim witted eager beaver Barney Fife type farther down the road.

"Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not offend the imbeciles" ~Dostoieski

Thanks again for your very useful information.

 

[gonzav71]

I am new to this forum, and I appreciate the wisdom. I live in Avon, CT, and I am aware of the CT laws pertaining to BB guns. I have excellent relationships with my two neighbors. I do a lot of gardening, but I am bothered by rabbits who do a lot of damage. I have a BB hand gun. Forgetting how "cute" these rabbits are, am I allowed to shoot rabbits within my property line with my BB hand gun?

Shooting problem rabbits in Connecticut | Rabbit

wildlifehelp.org

Not allowed to kill rabbits not unless you get a hunting license and hunt them during hunting season.

 

[ctshooter]

Brawler1588 I am not so sure Connecticut is better, be careful up there.

Connecticut generally prohibits any person from carrying a “BB gun” and also generally bans the knowing possession of a BB gun in a vehicle.

1.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(a). An exception exists for possession on the person’s own property or on the property of another with authorization from that person or party. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(b)(6).


2.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(a). This prohibition does not apply if the BB gun is unloaded and stored in the trunk of such vehicle or in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(b).

Living in CT I've researched this quite a bit.

There is a distinction between carrying an airgun and transporting an airgun. Don't be an idiot and put on you passenger seat. Always transport an airgun in the same manner you would a firearm. Unloaded, in a case, in your trunk.

I feel like backyard shooting is a grey area if you have neighbors close. I'm not 100% on the rules there, and clearly they will vary from town to town and city to city.