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#1655344 - 10/13/15 08:21 AM DEEP, Please Settle Discussion on Legal Use of Air Guns
cat_in_the_hat Offline

Member

Registered: 04/16/04
Posts: 2295
Loc: Tolland CT
One of my brothers thinks based on his reading of 2015 CT Hunting Laws & Regulations" page 14 that the 500 foot zone does not specifically apply to air guns: "500 Foot Zone. It is prohibited to hunt with, shoot, or carry a loaded firearm within 500 feet of any building occupied by people or domestic animals..."

I had hoped to get an air gun for sparrows threatening my nesting bluebirds, but I have neighboring houses within 500 feet. Please advise whether or not it is permissible to use an air gun in this specific circumstance on my own land.
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#1655355 - 10/13/15 09:29 AM Re: DEEP, Please Settle Discussion on Legal Use of Air Guns [Re: cat_in_the_hat]
KillTaker Offline

Member

Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 11811
Loc: Southbury, CT
This was already settled....

Read a little further down the page to find: "High-Velocity Air Guns - Restricted to those that use a single ball or pellet-like projectile. Additional restrictions on the use of air guns are the same as those for rifles and handguns.".......
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#1655402 - 10/13/15 01:40 PM Re: DEEP, Please Settle Discussion on Legal Use of Air Guns [Re: cat_in_the_hat]
cat_in_the_hat Offline

Member

Registered: 04/16/04
Posts: 2295
Loc: Tolland CT
Sounds settled to me also, but my brother's opinion reading the same set of regulations as I did resulted in a different conclusion. When I quoted from the CT regulations to him:

"'... air rifles have the same 500 foot zone as shotguns and .22s.' Read above the text you show below title FIREARMS HUNTING where the 500 Foot Zone is defined as well as specific inclusion of air rifles."

And my brother responded (one of five brothers):

"My logic is that is for “firearms”. Air guns are not firearms.

Air guns says “rifles and handguns” apply. Nothing about 500 feet in the handguns and rifles section. It does not say “firearms” apply under Air guns.

That is how I read it."

If any of you grew up with brothers, most will be experts on most subject matters, you know how this works. Being the younger that makes me less knowledgeable by definition. So, for my opinion to have any traction I am looking for a really plain black and white plainly worded DEEP official response to the question: Does the 500 foot exclusion zone apply to air guns?
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#1655425 - 10/13/15 03:13 PM Re: DEEP, Please Settle Discussion on Legal Use of Air Guns [Re: cat_in_the_hat]
EnCon Police Offline

Moderator

Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 3899
Same rules for 500' apply to air guns while hunting.

Firearms Hunting
The holder of a firearms hunting license may use rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, and high-velocity air guns subject to certain restrictions.

500 Foot Zone - It is prohibited to hunt with, shoot, or carry a loaded firearm within 500 feet of any building occupied by people or domestic animals, or used for storage of flammable material, or within 250 feet of such buildings when waterfowl hunting in tidal areas from land shooting positions or from floating blinds anchored adjacent to land or from rock positions, unless written permission for lesser distances is obtained from the owner and carried. Landowners, their spouse, and lineal descendants are exempt from this restriction, providing any building involved is their own. The 500 foot zone does not apply to bowhunting.
Firearms in Vehicles - It is prohibited to carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Does not apply to persons with handguns who have a valid Connecticut permit to carry pistols or revolvers.
Rifles and Handguns- Rifles or handguns using ammunition larger than .22 caliber rimfire long rifle cartridges are prohibited on state-owned land. Rifles or handguns of any caliber are prohibited on State-leased and Permit-Required Hunting Areas (see Permit-Required and State-Leased Hunting Area sections for exceptions). The use of rifles or handguns to hunt turkeys, waterfowl, or any other federally regulated migratory game bird (except crows) is prohibited. Hunting on private land with ammunition larger than .22 caliber rimfire long rifle during the private land shotgun/rifle deer season is prohibited unless the user has a valid private land deer season permit and landowner consent form. The use of rifles or revolvers to hunt deer is subject to additional restrictions (see Private Land Shotgun/Rifle Season). The use of ammunition larger than .22 caliber rimfire long rifle to hunt raccoon or opossum at night is prohibited. A person using a handgun for hunting must possess any required state/town permits to carry. Note that it is legal to use .17 caliber rimfire firearms in all situations where it is legal to use .22 caliber rimfire long rifle firearms.
Shotguns - The possession of shotgun ammunition larger or heavier than #2 shot is prohibited on state-owned lands, state-leased lands, and Permit-Required Hunting Areas,at all times, and is prohibited on private lands during the Private Land Shotgun/Rifle Deer Season (see Permit-Required and State-Leased Hunting Area sections for exceptions). However, on any lands, waterfowlers hunting from a boat, blind, or stationary position may use up to and including size BB steel shot. The possession of lead shot while hunting waterfowl is prohibited. The use of shotguns larger than 10-gauge for hunting waterfowl is prohibited. Shotguns must not be capable of holding more than 3 shells (2 in the magazine, 1 in the chamber) when hunting waterfowl, other migratory birds (except crows), deer on state lands, and turkey. The use of shotguns to hunt deer or turkey is subject to additional restrictions (see Deer Hunting and Turkey Hunting).
Muzzleloaders - During Muzzleloader Deer Seasons, a muzzleloader means a rifle or shotgun, .45 caliber minimum, incapable of firing a self-contained cartridge, using powder and a single projectile loaded separately at the muzzle end. Shotgun converters and telescopic sights are legal. Restrictions on the use of smoothbore muzzleloaders for hunting small game and waterfowl are the same as those for shotguns. Restrictions on the use of muzzleloading rifles for hunting small game are the same as those for rifles, except that on state-owned land, up to a .36 caliber muzzleloading rifle using round ball ammunition only may be used. A percussion/in-line muzzleloader with a cap or primer installed, an electronic muzzleloader with a battery connected or a flintlock muzzleloader having powder in the pan is considered a loaded firearm.
High-Velocity Air Guns - Restricted to those that use a single ball or pellet-like projectile. Additional restrictions on the use of air guns are the same as those for rifles and handguns.
[u][/u]
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#1655426 - 10/13/15 03:16 PM Re: DEEP, Please Settle Discussion on Legal Use of Air Guns [Re: cat_in_the_hat]
KillTaker Offline

Member

Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 11811
Loc: Southbury, CT
Thanks Sergeant Williams!
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#1655440 - 10/13/15 05:02 PM Re: DEEP, Please Settle Discussion on Legal Use of Air Guns [Re: cat_in_the_hat]
cat_in_the_hat Offline

Member

Registered: 04/16/04
Posts: 2295
Loc: Tolland CT
Your prompt response is well appreciated, thank you
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#1655445 - 10/13/15 05:35 PM Re: DEEP, Please Settle Discussion on Legal Use of Air Guns [Re: cat_in_the_hat]
Buck_etmouth Offline

Member

Registered: 02/23/15
Posts: 680
Loc: East Hampton Ct
Go take the archery course and get yourself some flu flu arrows. It's more fun and challenging that a air rifle
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#1655456 - 10/13/15 06:39 PM Re: DEEP, Please Settle Discussion on Legal Use of Air Guns [Re: cat_in_the_hat]
Reelin Online   content

Member

Registered: 07/15/03
Posts: 1127
If your only target shooting, the 500 ft rule doesn't apply. just don't get caught shooting anything other than a target


Edited by Reelin (10/13/15 06:39 PM)
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#1656135 - 10/18/15 01:53 PM Re: DEEP, Please Settle Discussion on Legal Use of Air Guns [Re: Reelin]
nantz Offline
Member

Registered: 04/19/04
Posts: 139
I was wondering about this??? Is it legal for my son and I to target shoot in my backyard with his red ryder bb gun. I have a neighbor about 3-400' away.
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#1656423 - 10/20/15 04:54 PM Re: DEEP, Please Settle Discussion on Legal Use of Air Guns [Re: nantz]
EnCon Police Offline

Moderator

Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 3899
No problem if you're target shooting. 500' rule does not apply. Just make sure you have a suitable backstop.
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