Shooting in backyard Laws and Regs

[Chickencoop96]

So I live in a small subdivision in the county and for the past 3 years I have shot my bow in the same spot (safely) on my own property. Yesterday McMinn county sherriff came to me with a complaint from my neighbor that I was shooting in an unsafe direction. Turns out they had an altercation with another neighbor that ended up with the cops being called on them and they think we were the ones that called. Which we weren't. So to make the long story short I was told I had to build a burm in order to keep shooting there. I don't have any other safe spots in my yard to shoot. So now I need to know what the laws are so that I can continue to shoot archery in my own yard and not face legal repercussions. We have already tried to resolve the issue cordially and they refuse to talk with us.

 

[tahtah]

I know you won't like my response, but I have to agree with your neighbors. I noticed what's behind your target. Just one errant arrow could ruin someone's life and yours. Legal or not, I'd find someplace else to shoot. I have the same issue and it's just not worth the risk to me.

 

[DaveTN]

I doubt you will find anything in the law about the specifics of building a berm. You probably want to go to the Sheriff's Office and talk to a Command Officer and see what they say. Find out if they have any county ordinances prohibiting it. And what will happen if you build a berm, and they still call.

Bad neighbor situations suck for everyone involved.

Since your neighbor is claiming you are putting them in imminent danger, I would guess (and a guess is all it is) this is what the deputy was thinking….

39-13-103. Reckless endangerment.

(a) A person commits an offense who recklessly engages in conduct that places or may place another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.
(b)
(1) Reckless endangerment is a Class A misdemeanor.
(2) Reckless endangerment committed with a deadly weapon is a Class E felony.
(3) Reckless endangerment by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a habitation, as defined under § 39-14-401, is a Class C felony, unless the habitation was unoccupied at the time of the offense, in which event it is a Class D felony.
(4) Reckless endangerment by discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle, as defined by § 55-1-103, is a Class C felony.
(5) In addition to the penalty authorized by this subsection (b), the court shall assess a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) to be collected as provided in § 55-10-412(b) and distributed as provided in § 55-10-412(c).

 

[MickThompson]

My shoots NASP and practices in the yard. We try to point it away from anything our neighbors might have going on.

Do you shoot when someone is in the other backyard?

 

[scn]

So I live in a small subdivision in the county and for the past 3 years I have shot my bow in the same spot (safely) on my own property. Yesterday McMinn county sherriff came to me with a complaint from my neighbor that I was shooting in an unsafe direction. Turns out they had an altercation with another neighbor that ended up with the cops being called on them and they think we were the ones that called. Which we weren't. So to make the long story short I was told I had to build a burm in order to keep shooting there. I don't have any other safe spots in my yard to shoot. So now I need to know what the laws are so that I can continue to shoot archery in my own yard and not face legal repercussions. We have already tried to resolve the issue cordially and they refuse to talk with us.

There are no TWRA regs that deal with that. It is a question for your sheriffs dept.

 

[Rabbitkil]

There is no rules in mcminn county against shooting in the back yard, do you know the deputies name? If so shoot me a PM and I'll reach out to them and see what the deal is


I shoot my bow with neighbors on every side of me in the middle of Athens city without issue, I do have my target in the middle of my cinder block garage wall so I'd have to miss a entire garage to go anywhere but my yard none of my neighbors have acted alarmed

 

[scn]

I am guessing that since you are shooting a deadly weapon towards your neighbor's property without an adequate backstop that you are in line to be arrested for felony reckless endangerment. It will not be cheap to fight the charge.

 

[TnKen]

I am guessing that since you are shooting a deadly weapon towards your neighbor's property without an adequate backstop that you are in line to be arrested for felony reckless endangerment. It will not be cheap to fight the charge.

I agree that would be the most likely charge. I think someone would have to be in the yard for it to apply.
I know in Davidson county they stopped prosecuting for randomly firing guns in the air due to not being able to state a specific victim.
The absence of a person would be a defense, but as you said not one I would want to pay for.

 

[MickThompson]

I agree that would be the most likely charge. I think someone would have to be in the yard for it to apply.
I know in Davidson county they stopped prosecuting for randomly firing guns in the air due to not being able to state a specific victim.
The absence of a person would be a defense, but as you said not one I would want to pay for.

I remember when I was first learning to shoot a compound. I had one of those awful foam deer and skipped an arrow off its back. Rumor has it that arrow is still flying. I certainly never saw it come down.

 

[Chickencoop96]

I know you won't like my response, but I have to agree with your neighbors. I noticed what's behind your target. Just one errant arrow could ruin someone's life and yours. Legal or not, I'd find someplace else to shoot. I have the same issue and it's just not worth the risk to me.

View attachment 271017

I take no offense my man. Better to get sound opinions. My neighbors are not sound minded by any means.

 

[Chickencoop96]

My shoots NASP and practices in the yard. We try to point it away from anything our neighbors might have going on.

Do you shoot when someone is in the other backyard?

No I never shoot when anyone is outside

 

[MickThompson]

No I never shoot when anyone is outside

Who is in reckless danger?

 

[Chickencoop96]

I take no offense my man. Better to get sound opinions. My neighbors are not sound minded by any means.

To back up my statement. They have now moved a bunch of lawn chairs directly behind my target out of spite

 

[Chickencoop96]

I know you won't like my response, but I have to agree with your neighbors. I noticed what's behind your target. Just one errant arrow could ruin someone's life and yours. Legal or not, I'd find someplace else to shoot. I have the same issue and it's just not worth the risk to me.

View attachment 271017

My thing is they've never once had an issue with me shooting there until they're son got the cops called on him for endangering children in the cul de sac. But that is an opinion and opinions don't hold up in court

 

[scn]

There are companies that make a tight mesh netting for backstops. They are used in some of the scholastic archery programs. If you had something like that I doubt much could be said.

Maybe Third Hand Archery?

 

[timberjack86]

You lost me at Subdivision. Sell that place and get your freedom back. Move to the country! Or just find somewhere else to shoot. You could probably find a place here local.

 

[backyardtndeer]

What's behind the back? If no houses back there, could you just move the target and turn it?

 

[tickweed]

Build a tall fence behind target

 

[Chickencoop96]

Who is in reckless danger?

Apparently him and his grown boys lol

 

[Chickencoop96]

What's behind the back? If no houses back there, could you just move the target and turn it?

The picture was took at an angle. From where I shoot is actually into his back yard at a different angle The swingsetis dilapidated and does not get used.