legal question

[grooveyguru1]

Hi everyone, there has been alot of talk about firing of bows in surburban backyards on here of late and I was just wondering about the legalities of doing so? Is it legal to fire a bow in a built up area? I would like to practice more by firing from outside in my yard into the confines of my garage, thus containing any stray arrows in the garage. Does anyone know what the laws are on this? Cheers Chris

[spiderbait24]

i would like to know, as i know i am the reason for this thread.

[grooveyguru1]

Well you are one of the reasons but believe it or not you are not the only person to shoot in their backyard. I would just like to know what the law has to say about it so I don't get in the poo.

[timbo]

My kids and I shoot in the front yard all the time. When we first moved to Victoria I checked with the local police about it, they directed me to the regional firearms officer. I rang him and he said he would have to look into it. He rang me back the same afternoon and told me that it wasn't an issue.

We live in a small rural town in Victoria, the locals know me from my work and have no issues either.

I can get out to 30 mts in the front yard and 40 mts if I stand out on the edge of the road.

Cheers Tim

[HOOD]

There is no law against it here in SA.

BUT if your neighbour sees you shooting and your not in their good books or they dont' know that you shoot at home, be prepared for a visit form the police.

Like you GG1 I shoot into my shed with a few panels on the back wall just incase.
And all my neighbours know that I shoot at home.
I acctually had one of them ask where we had been as they hadn't heard me shooting lately.:)

Anyway best to check with your local police station for confirmation on the legalities in your state/Territory.;)

Happy shooting all

[brucester]

Great advice, state law is the key. Contact the local boys in blue they'll set ya straight. I ping a few off inthe backyard in the morning before work sometimes maybe I should take my own advice. Sounds like into your garage is safe enough with the right precautions.

[TOWER*2007]

Dont know about other states but heres my view in WA.

One reason you have to be careful in WA is under the weapons act, obviously if you killed someone etc you could be up for manslaughter etc.

No one really cares provided your arrows dont leave your yard or break anything nearby.

But under the weapons act a person who carries or possesses an article, not being a firearm, a prohibited weapon or a controlled weapon, with the intention of using it, whether or not for defence causes any person to fear that someone will be injured or disabled by that use commits an offence.

Therefore i believe if you have your target against the fence pointing at your neighbours house and they know what your doing and fear from it, you may commit an offence.

Particularly if you sent an arrow through an asbestos fence or sailing over someones head in the neighbours yard they would have good grounds for fear. Under this act the onus is placed back on you to proove you didnt commit fear which is hard to do.

Be careful.

[Evil Taco]

one of the most important things about shooting in your backyard is make sure that your neigbours allow it... i can practise shoot at my dads (20m max) but at me mums house i was shooting and my neigbour didnt like the idea and asked me too stop, which is fare enough everyone has the right to feel safe in their own backyard... so now i just practise at dads or just go down to the archery range...

[bobzila]

i shoot down the side of my house into a target witch is infront of a big tree and the nabors just watch and some have evern come over and asked if they could have a try. so just becarfull and have funn. if the cops come and ask you to stop so be it

[Waldganger]

http://www.aussiebowhunter.com/showthread.php?t=2531

I met a guy who has bought a target and put it up in his HALLWAY at home.

I thought it was a bit rough but got around to thinking that 25 bucks fixing a wall with putty and paint is better than replacing fence panels/answering the call from Judge Dredd.

Saying that I shoot 15-20 meters into my shed, but only do a few ends (3-6 arrows 3-6 times) and sometimes I'll be out every day for a week and since the last time I went out hunting I've only been out once since then (three weeks I think)

[huddo0312]

I have a nice ten metre indoor range down my hallway into the kids bathroom. I made a mobile butt out of thick styrofoam to which I attach a target and ping away. Good sport when the kids are home. Makes it more interesting going to the toilet in our house. So far I have only put one hole in the bathroom door, time to make a new butt.

Dave

[BanG]

About 15 years ago I shot a bow I never picked up before - straight over the fence, through the window, through the curtian, accross the room and stuck into the wardrobe!!!! Had to mow their lawn for months (got off very lightly)

[spiderbait24]

YIKES!

[johnno]

To my knowledge, unless someone here knows otherwise, it is no offence in NSW under the Crimes Act to shoot a bow in your backyard..a bow and arrow does not come under the definition of "firearm" under the Act and is not a prohibited weapon, article or item. However, having said that there are a multitude of offences should you injure someone or their property by your actions. As always, if in doubt..don't...or at least check with your local council as there may well be some obscure council bylaw you may be breaching...;)

[TOWER*2007]

Geez BanG think i would have had a heart attack on the spot if i had done that.

Im lucky my back fence backs onto bush so thats where i set up the target and i shoot from where no one can see, that way they cant see you or your target and if you do miss its not gonna hit/hurt much.

Talkn about stories like that. A while ago while my mate was out his kids grabbed one of his bows and started shooting arrows around. One was stuck through the next door neighbours airconditioning unit and is still there months later. He told the neighbours and said he would get it out and pay for damages but they said it was ok, lucky, good neighbour.

[grooveyguru1]

Thanks for all your input guys, sounds like I should be OK as long as I don't hit anything I shouldn't.