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Assuming one is outside of city limits and such, how much land does one need to have to be able to shoot without causing alarm? I know there will many variables, but is there any general consensus?

Edited for typo.

I believe it's more a function of "where" than "how much". We have a bit over 100 acres and have no problem. We can occasionally hear someone else shooting and it's no big deal.

In a different location, 100 acres may not be nearly enough. Some folks are paranoid of hearing gunfire. Unfortunately, those people aren't staying in the cities. More and more, they're moving out into the country but not adjusting their "ways" to fit.

Pawpaw wrote:I believe it's more a function of "where" than "how much". We have a bit over 100 acres and have no problem. We can occasionally hear someone else shooting and it's no big deal.

In a different location, 100 acres may not be nearly enough. Some folks are paranoid of hearing gunfire. Unfortunately, those people aren't staying in the cities. More and more, they're moving out into the country but not adjusting their "ways" to fit.

Unfortunately...there it is.

We've seen it here and elsewhere in the mountain west. The newcomers expect the locals to conform to the ways of the newcomers rather than blend into their new environs. The newcomers also drive up property taxes and talk funny. Who needs 'em?

More and more, they're moving out into the country but not adjusting their "ways" to fit.

IMO, we should start erecting fence lines and check points around every major population center that has 500K or more people, and conduct a thorough screening of applicants prior to issuing a travel pass into the "country".

Texas Dan Mosby wrote:

More and more, they're moving out into the country but not adjusting their "ways" to fit.

IMO, we should start erecting fence lines and check points around every major population center that has 500K or more people, and conduct a thorough screening of applicants prior to issuing a travel pass into the "country".

What we need is background checks for moving van rentals!

Texas Dan Mosby wrote:

More and more, they're moving out into the country but not adjusting their "ways" to fit.

IMO, we should start erecting fence lines and check points around every major population center that has 500K or more people, and conduct a thorough screening of applicants prior to issuing a travel pass into the "country".

We could tellum the fence is to make them feel safer, to keep undesirables OUT, (They'd never think that corrals keep animals IN)

It's not a matter of how many acres, but where you live. When I was a kid we lived on 10 acres, but there were no other houses around us. Shooting wasn't a problem. As stated above, these days you could have 100 acres with 'city-slickers' around you that would complain about the noise and 'safety' issues.

Plus... what are you shooting? 9mm or .50 BMG?

my dad has 40 acres with neighbors fairly close on both sides (one side being a county road full of people) I go and shoot there all the time and no one complains/calls 911

The newcomers also drive up property taxes and talk funny. Who needs 'em?

On the other hand, it has been my experience that the people who complain the most about newcomers are themselves from somewhere else. They just came sooner.

I own 7.5 acres of which I have a pool on, on the other end a dirt mound for a back stop. I shoot from time to time, I have good neighbors. I never have any problems. Where I live its very common to step outside and hear gun fire. So to answer the question, its location..location...location.

I'm the LAST person you would ever want to consult regarding laws, but I'm pretty sure that if you own 10+ acres in unincorporated county areas, you're ok (in the sense that the county can't prohibit you from discharging a firearm): http://www.lawserver.com/law/state/texa ... de_235-022" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ten or more acres and you are good if they are outside any city limits. You need a berm or some other backstop, obviously. I think you could bypass a lot of problems if you will go meet your neighbors and reassure them gunfire does not mean you are shooting wildly in their direction. Even inviting them over to see where you are shooting and the safety precautions you take is a good idea. I know when I hear gunfire, my first thought is wondering if the shooter has any brains or is drunk, etc. JMHO