Discharging firearms on your own property in Bastrop County (Hays: house, to live)

[je2000]

We live in a 3 acre plot of land in Bastrop County. I found a vague law from 2 years ago that says you have to live on 5 acres or more to shoot a firearm on your property.

I'd like to practice target shooting with .22 rifle and my 9mm handgun on my own property.

[achtungpv]

I would definitely check with the County. I know Hays Co passed an ordinance a year ago on this topic due to a kid being killed by a stray bullet from someone doing target practice on a 2-3 acre lot.

[je2000]

Originally Posted by achtungpv

I would definitely check with the County. I know Hays Co passed an ordinance a year ago on this topic due to a kid being killed by a stray bullet from someone doing target practice on a 2-3 acre lot.

Yeah the website I found the law directly mentioned that incident. An illegal alien accidentally shot another illegal alien, (both under 18 I think) with a .22 rifle.

I'm not sure on the exact circumstances but I somehow doubt the proper range precautions were taken. May have been a ricochet, but from a .22? Freak thing really.

I suppose just calling a non-emergency police # would be the easiest way to find out.

Here is the website I mentioned in the 1st post.
Bastrop County Commentary

[ATXIronHorse]

3 acres is not a lot. You'll be shooting into adjacent property. Just go to a shooting range. Why even bother dealing with the liability if you hurt someone?!

[Summerz]

Originally Posted by ATXIronHorse

3 acres is not a lot. You'll be shooting into adjacent property. Just go to a shooting range. Why even bother dealing with the liability if you hurt someone?!

Exactly! People have been killed in their own homes due to stuff like this.

[je2000]

Originally Posted by ATXIronHorse

3 acres is not a lot. You'll be shooting into adjacent property. Just go to a shooting range. Why even bother dealing with the liability if you hurt someone?!

Exactly. So you should not drive your car tonight! Why even bother dealing with the liability if you hurt someone?

Anyway, I wouldn't be shooting into any adjacent property. There are precautions and safety measures that would be set in place to assure overshoot and ricochet do not occur.

[je2000]

Originally Posted by Summerz

Exactly! People have been killed in their own homes due to stuff like this.

Stuff like what?

[Summerz]

Originally Posted by je2000

Stuff like what?

Being careless and unresponsible with a firearm.
You wouldn't want someone shooting through your yard or house would you?

[je2000]

Originally Posted by Summerz

Being careless and unresponsible with a firearm.
You wouldn't want someone shooting through your yard or house would you?

Obviously.

I'm not sure where you draw the conclusion that I would be shooting THROUGH someone's yard or house? That's insane and obviously not an option.

I'm wondering if the county requires a minimum berm thickness and height from shooters origin. I know 6 feet of dirt will stop a 9mm no problem, but it might require some minimum set in place. Bullets can ricochet from rocks in the dirt too, so the proper material should be used too.

I suspect that even if I met the minimum acreage there are other measures one needs to follow to shoot legally on their property. Maybe I'll try the guys at the range, but they are in Travis, not Bastrop county.

It's $15 an hour at the range and I can go through 200 rounds easily in that time. At $20 a box of 100, it adds up. I'm just trying to save a little cash.

Safely, by the way.

[Lil_ly]

I seriously don't think that this is something you want to be cutting costs on. Please rethink this and just go to a range!