Backyard Shooting Ranges Now Legal in Florida

By CAMMY CLARK, Miami Herald | January 30, 2014

  • January 30, 2014 at 3:13 pm
    bob says:
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    headline says “now legal” – law has been on the books since 1987!

  • June 3, 2014 at 1:48 am
    Bwanar says:
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    He only thinks certain guns should not be allowed, because he doesn’t want to shoot them. If someone thought his gun should be one of them, he would take a different stance. People should use their heads. It’s how it’s done and who’s doing it, on a case by case basis that makes it safe or not! People need to use common sense. Training is important and everyone should have it from an early age!

  • December 2, 2014 at 9:22 pm
    Butch says:
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    Guns should be restricted to gun ranges or hunting trips not the backyard. I have lived in central Florida since 1981 and it has been mostly peacefull around here. Last year the 3 acre property around the corner from me was bought. The new owners have been the neighbors from hell ever since. Guns are shot off almost every day, all day long, even after 11 PM. I hear what sounds like an AK47 going off 3 or 4 times a week. Their kids ride around on ATV’s, motorbikes etc. from the time they get off school until it starts getting dark. They must have at least 12 ATV’s motorbikes in total. They have at least 10 cars in their yard. Where they get the money to buy all this I will never know. OH, I forgot to mention thumping loud music that be heard all around the neighborhood that they blast almost everyday. But the gun shooting scares me the most, as I said because it is an all day everyday thing. I feel bad for my neighbors who right next door to them. I cannot afford to move or I would.

    • April 29, 2021 at 2:41 am
      Day says:
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      If i own 5 acres, I should be able to shoot in my yard.

  • January 6, 2015 at 10:14 pm
    Christopher says:
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    I live in loxahatchee, Florida. While it may be “legal” the sheriffs have come to my house twice, and the second time told me to stop, period. “Go to a range or we’ll have to put a stop to it.” This was due to several people calling in, which I completely understand, but when I asked if I should call the sheriffs office and notify them prior, he made it clear that would be useless and again to go to a range. I have no desire to cause trouble with the sheriffs, they are good men and women serving their community and I thank them. My question is, how can I enjoy the freedom to shoot on my property in accordance with the law, with out having the sheriffs get mad and possibly get me in any kind of legal trouble? Let me just clarify that I am shooting in safe conditions, before 10pm (sound ordinance), I am on just over acre of land (my private residence), and with a proper backdrop (5+ feet of dirt surrounding the area).

    • April 9, 2015 at 12:44 am
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      Hi Christopher,

      I know it is somewhat late for the response. However, just incase you are still wondering….

      Call 911 tell the operator your full name, physical address of where the shooting will be taking place, a full description of what you will be wearing (clothing), the time you will begin shooting, as well as, the time you will be ending.

      Remember this will be a recorded line therefore there will be documented proof you are being more the proactive. When neighbors start complaining to the local Sheriff or 911, you have already informed them.

      OrlandoGunClass.com

      • April 5, 2016 at 10:48 am
        Christopher says:
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        Thank you, I had attempted to do that two days later and was stopped by the same sheriff who stated that he will arrest me if I discharge again. I am seeking a future in law, thus I can not afford to have that on my record, period. I spoke to several other officers that live around me, and while they say they understand, they would prefer if I did not continue to “cause trouble”. I have also been told by the other officers that if they “suspect” a round has gone over my property line, with or without evidence of that, I will be fully charged. At this point in time I have neither the money to engage in a legal aspect, nor the ability to have it go south on me and destroy what I’ve been working toward. Not only am I shocked that this has happened in the first place, especially when I’m completely within the law, but I’m honestly saddened and troubled at the attitudes and treatment provided by people I once looked up to.

        • April 29, 2021 at 2:43 am
          Day says:
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          You didnt stand up for yourself and got strong armed. If its in the law, they cant do anything

    • May 3, 2015 at 7:35 pm
      JamaicaJoe says:
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      Clearly the loxahatchee sheriff has your neighbors rights in mind. Perhaps if you put yourself in your neighbors shoes, having to hear loud gunshots coming from a nearby property. Hats off to your local sheriff. You may feel you have your “rights” but your rights only extend to the property line. If the neighbors hear you, it is a noise problem. Fis it or don’t do it.

      • December 14, 2015 at 1:26 pm
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        Assuming this is true, “sheriff has your neighbors rights in mind” and not just simply responding to dispatch over “loud noise” why wouldn’t the sheriff respond in the same manner when someone is hunting in state property and/or grounds….? Is it because they know they cant fight against there own…?

        The fact is The current law on the books says someone cannot recklessly or negligently discharge a firearm on any property. It doesn’t mention “noise” nor “sound” beyond property line. How could it…? So, local gun ranges would be facing fines by law enforcement because surrounding neighbors are complaining about the gun shot noise and the noise is going beyond the range walls….?

        FYI: A good friend of mine currently an NRA Instructor was confronted by OPD last week and told “last warning if we are called out here again we have no choice but to bring you inn” he simply called WESH 2 News and his lawyer. He has been actively shooting after the fact.

  • January 18, 2015 at 12:37 pm
    B. Vaughn says:
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    I have never heard of a law that had a law that you could not change said law. That is unconstitutional .

  • January 31, 2015 at 2:24 pm
    Judy says:
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    I think that the rules for shooting should be the same as driving, when it comes to alcohol consumption.

  • February 24, 2016 at 6:39 pm
    Ed Silva says:
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    AS of 2-24-2016 the Florida Governor Scott signed a bill into law effective 2-24-2016 restricting backyard shooting ranges in some areas. Up to 1 year in jail for violations.

    • April 16, 2019 at 6:48 am
      Ronald Ackerman says:
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      Can you please provide a link or reference to such law? I am just curious… I thought the opposite was true.

  • February 26, 2016 at 6:57 pm
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    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida homeowners can no longer set up backyard gun ranges under a bill signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott.

    Scott on Wednesday signed several bills, including one (SB 130) that would ban recreational use of firearms on residential property in neighborhoods where there are one or more homes per acre of land. The law does specify that property owners can still fire a gun to protect themselves or their property.

  • May 28, 2016 at 11:58 am
    JOANNE SWANSON says:
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    Do any gun shooters have any consideration for other people who live near by? I live on 5 acres. We built our home 27 years ago to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature. I have guns also and have gone to a range to practice using it. Now, over the past few years, some of the people who say they love to live in the country, shoot guns for hours and hours. I can’t sit in my back yard, do yard work or even consider going into the woods I used to love to walk in on my own property because it is like the wild west. Should my life be dependent on assuming that these people who can stare at a pile of dirt for hours and shoot at it, are safe? Hello, is there anything up there? We are retired people who had intended to live our lives here, but thanks to people with no consideration for others and the noise they make in our beautiful country, we have to consider moving. I say you are too cheap to go to a range or rather than inconvenience yourselves, you make others lives ruined by hours of gun shooting in a once beautiful and peaceful environment. These laws really preclude people who love living on acreage in the country, from having the right to do so unless they want to give up the right for peace and enjoyment of their own property to gun shooters. I did have a bullet whiz by my head while trying to read on my back deck. The police didn’t know where the shooters were in the woods (or didn’t care to try to find them). Try considering others for a change and the real reason people move to the country; the reason that you are ruining for us. Gov Scott was a criminal when elected and he has enforced the law you so enjoy, that ruins others lives. Thanks for ruining my happiness in my own yard because you are too lazy to go elsewhere where it won’t affect others.

    • May 30, 2016 at 10:54 pm
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      Hi Joanne,

      Are you aware of – Florida homeowners can “NO LONGER” set up backyard gun ranges under a bill signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott.

      • July 1, 2017 at 9:38 am
        Vanessa Kowalski says:
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        If you read the entire bill, it states “ban recreational use of firearms on residential property in neighborhoods where there are one or more homes per acre of land.”

        This lady lives on 5 acres, and her neighbor presumably lives on a large plot of land as well, which would allow them to shoot on their property recreationally.

  • July 29, 2016 at 3:28 am
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    This isn’t safe



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