Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default State Law on Target Shooting

    What is the State Law on target shooting on land someone owns?

    I heard you cannot fire a projectile that crosses property lines.

    I would imagine it is more complicated than that.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: State Law on Target Shooting

    Good question?

    I know certain areas twps have no discharge laws. This I have no idea how they can do it.

    They usually word it against weapon discharge so I could not even shoot my bow in the backyard with a nice back stop. (one of the necessities when I finally make a home purchase)

    Hope people can answer.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: State Law on Target Shooting

    Quote Originally Posted by thefirstndsecond View Post
    I know certain areas twps have no discharge laws. This I have no idea how they can do it.
    they can make those ordinances because the state preemption clause does not cover discharge of firearms. it only preempts local regulation of ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms.
    F*S=k

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    Default Re: State Law on Target Shooting

    Quote Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota View Post
    they can make those ordinances because the state preemption clause does not cover discharge of firearms. it only preempts local regulation of ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms.
    "The right of the people to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves or the State shall not be questioned."

    The "in defense" part would seem to require that a discharge take place, so in that sense, I believe the language actually does protect the discharge of firearms for actual defense.

    While the language does not support target shooting, it should follow logically that the State would be ill advised to forbid competency in the use of firearms for that purpose. They know or should know that forbidding people practicing competency in the use of a constitutionally guaranteed right is negligent and an affront to that very right.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: State Law on Target Shooting

    Quote Originally Posted by ehidle View Post
    "The right of the people to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves or the State shall not be questioned."

    The "in defense" part would seem to require that a discharge take place, so in that sense, I believe the language actually does protect the discharge of firearms for actual defense.
    The cases I've seen, at least locally, that were ruled as self defense, the 'discharging firearms' charge was dropped. The whole point of the law is to prevent target shooting in highly populated areas. In the City of Altoona, which has such an ordinance, there's really no safe place to be discharging a firearm.

    If common sense existed we'd have no reason for these laws. I have no proof, but it would make sense that there is some 'necessity' exception to this law. Therefore if it's necessary to discharge a firearm in self defense the charge would be dropped...
    "Improvise. Adapt. Overcome."

  6. #6
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    Default Re: State Law on Target Shooting

    Quote Originally Posted by thefirstndsecond View Post
    Good question?

    I know certain areas twps have no discharge laws. This I have no idea how they can do it.

    They usually word it against weapon discharge so I could not even shoot my bow in the backyard with a nice back stop. (one of the necessities when I finally make a home purchase)

    Hope people can answer.
    If a gun is not being used as a weapon, can it still be considered a weapon?

    Best thing to do is call the state police in your area and ask them if your area is restricted and what the guidelines are.

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    Default Re: State Law on Target Shooting

    So you are saying each municipality can regulate usage?

  8. #8
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    Default Re: State Law on Target Shooting

    Quote Originally Posted by thefirstndsecond View Post
    So you are saying each municipality can regulate usage?
    if you exclude from "usage" "ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation", then yes, pretty much so.

    there is a legal theory that the right to ownership implies the right to use. i'm not sure exactly how that would end up playing out. (my guess is the best you could hope for is only allowing "reasonable restrictions" which would include regulating discharge.)

    but, the fact is that many municipalities in PA regulate discharge of weapons...and the courts let them. you cannot, for example, go out in your backyard in pittsburgh and target shoot. and, if you did it and got arrested, the courts would uphold it.
    Last edited by LittleRedToyota; May 5th, 2010 at 10:31 PM.
    F*S=k

  9. #9
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    Default Re: State Law on Target Shooting

    Quote Originally Posted by CHEMICAL View Post
    If a gun is not being used as a weapon, can it still be considered a weapon?

    Best thing to do is call the state police in your area and ask them if your area is restricted and what the guidelines are.
    We don't enforce local law. If a township has an ordinance, it is up to them to enforce it. We only enforce Pennsylvania statute.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: State Law on Target Shooting

    Quote Originally Posted by unclejumbo View Post
    We don't enforce local law. If a township has an ordinance, it is up to them to enforce it. We only enforce Pennsylvania statute.
    ^^^THIS. Contact your municipality's office. PSP couldn't care less about local ordinances. (No offense, unclejumbo)

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