Air Guns Illegal in HOCO? BB, Pellet, etc.?

[fredthe]

Montgomery county treats shooting airguns the same as all firearms. There also is a squirrel season in MD and hunting out of season has serious penalties.

Dam, as a kid in Bethesda I used to harass the squirrels with my Daisy BB gun. Got pretty good at hitting them 50 feet up the tree, but all it did was drive them to the neighbor's yard (which was the point).

 

[ChannelCat]

There also is a squirrel season in MD and hunting out of season has serious penalties.

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

It's a shame that there is no such thing as a bird feeder damage permit. I hate squirrels!

 

[gungate]

It's a shame that there is no such thing as a bird feeder damage permit. I hate squirrels!

You can get a nuisance exception but you are still under firearm rules for where you can shoot. 100 yards from an occupied dwelling that is not your own.

 

[mpollan1]

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So technically kids having a nerf gun or water gun fight can be arrested on weapon crimes

I find section e3 interesting. Specifically "to protect life or property".

 

[Biggfoot44]

Section B would seem to allow what OP wants, as long as he is shooting the squirrels on the ground and not in the trees where it might travel further.

Squirrel is a Game Animal, not a Varmint. All Hunting rules and seasons would need to be followed .

 

[2500yards]

OK, the reason I ask any of this: the squirrels are making nests under my deck and ravage my bird feeders. A pellet gun would do the trick. Could I re-new my MD hunting license and be covered? Or, is this just opening up a can of worms? I am pretty sure there is an acreage restriction in HOCO for hunting.

You’re worried about shooting a BB gun? Seriously? Nobody will hear you shoot that thing.

 

[Bullfrog]

You’re worried about shooting a BB gun? Seriously? Nobody will hear you shoot that thing.

Not true.

I hear my neighbors do it quite often. If you're not in a very noisy traffic area that sound will carry a long way.

 

[Raineman]

Horse Shit Rule!

Funny you say that, because you wouldn't believe how much pull the horse community in HoCo has with stuff just like this. (Hey TROT...F U!)

But a call to the local Sheriff/PD would be a step in the right direction to make sure you don't get tangled up in some horse hockey local law.

And get yourself on their radar? No way in hell.

Came back and gave me the ticket

Because HoCo popo has nothing better to do than harass tax paying citizens. I really think they get off on such things. I am NOT a fan.

 

[Sundazes]

OK, the reason I ask any of this: the squirrels are making nests under my deck and ravage my bird feeders. A pellet gun would do the trick. Could I re-new my MD hunting license and be covered? Or, is this just opening up a can of worms? I am pretty sure there is an acreage restriction in HOCO for hunting.

SSS

 

[gungate]

Funny you say that, because you wouldn't believe how much pull the horse community in HoCo has with stuff just like this. (Hey TROT...F U!)

And get yourself on their radar? No way in hell.

Because HoCo popo has nothing better to do than harass tax paying citizens. I really think they get off on such things. I am NOT a fan.

I have yet to meet a cop that has any idea about any gun laws. The one time I asked general AR-15 questions I was given nothing but wrong information. Doing your own research is really the only way to be sure. And I would trust information from this forum before anything a cop tells me.

 

[fishgutzy]

The way it is written, even shooting a spitball through a straw is illegal.

 

[pleasant1911]

Not true.

I hear my neighbors do it quite often. If you're not in a very noisy traffic area that sound will carry a long way.

A BB gun? Maybe an air rifle but a BB gun

 

[pleasant1911]

OK, the reason I ask any of this: the squirrels are making nests under my deck and ravage my bird feeders. A pellet gun would do the trick. Could I re-new my MD hunting license and be covered? Or, is this just opening up a can of worms? I am pretty sure there is an acreage restriction in HOCO for hunting.

How is you backyard set up. If you are shooting at a squirrel or a bird, is the background your neighbors house? If not, why would you worry.

 

[minux]

How is you backyard set up. If you are shooting at a squirrel or a bird, is the background your neighbors house? If not, why would you worry.

Yes, yes it is. Flag lots abound.

 

[mauser58]

OK, the reason I ask any of this: the squirrels are making nests under my deck and ravage my bird feeders. A pellet gun would do the trick. Could I re-new my MD hunting license and be covered? Or, is this just opening up a can of worms? I am pretty sure there is an acreage restriction in HOCO for hunting.

I had a few dozen squirrels destroying my apple trees a few years ago. I also cant shoot a BB or Pellet rifle legally in my yard. Plus the sound is like a 22 and will get the neighbors attention. So what I did is buy the Duke and Conibear body traps for like muskrats. They are like $8 each online. I set them along my fence and in the trees on small pieces of plywood. Add a slice of apple to the wire triggers. I cleaned up a mess of tree rats quick

 

[pleasant1911]

Yes, yes it is. Flag lots abound.

If your house is surrounded by other home, you shouldn’t be shooting a BB gun. I know I be pisses if my neighbor was shooting BB guns towards my house

 

[sxs]

You’re worried about shooting a BB gun? Seriously? Nobody will hear you shoot that thing.

My air rifles are WAY louder than shooting CB caps (or CCI Quiet) through a 22. Might get away with a Red Ryder Lever.

 

[minux]

If your house is surrounded by other home, you shouldn’t be shooting a BB gun. I know I be pisses if my neighbor was shooting BB guns towards my house

For sure, that is why I was asking...

 

[cantstop]

Yeah, 2009 really eff'd up living in HoCo. Not the pellet guns so much. You weren't getting busted for plinking. And seriously, I had to stop blasting the Beretta 92SB and Winchester 94 out back in the woods due to the Metropolitan area BS.

 

[2500yards]

My air rifles are WAY louder than shooting CB caps (or CCI Quiet) through a 22. Might get away with a Red Ryder Lever.

Honestly, I wouldn’t worry about it. Just use common sense and don’t shoot it at your neighbor. It’s not like every kid doesn’t already do it anyway. You say loud, but no way it’s the kind of sound alarming people. I highly doubt BB guns were the intended target of these laws. Worst case play dumb. You didn’t need to get a background check up buy it. It’s a friggin BB gun.