Can You Shoot on Your Property in Florida?

Florida, which is fondly known as the Sunshine State, is a top destination for vacations and holidays. Target shooting on your property is a fun and thrilling way to spend your free time with friends and family.

If you live in Florida full-time or perhaps you have a holiday home in the state, then you might be wondering whether it is possible for you to perform some target shooting practice on your property. Keep reading to find out the answer to this question and also learn more about gun laws in Florida.

Can You Shoot on Your Property in Florida?

Yes, you can shoot on your property in Florida provided that the land is more than one acre and the firearm discharge does not pose any reasonably foreseeable risk to safety, life or property.

Backyard Shooting Safety

While you are allowed to shoot in your backyard in Florida, there are certain safety guidelines that you should follow to ensure that there is no damage to life or property.

An article published in KIRO 7 reports that the state laws in Florida prohibit the local regulation of backyard ranges. However, they need to operate in accordance with safety guidelines.

Florida Statute 790.15 outlines that target shooting in densely populated residential areas is punishable by law except in 3 instances:

• The shooter is lawfully defending life and property, or they are carrying out official duties as a law enforcement officer.
• The firearm was discharged accidentally.
• The discharge fails to pose any foreseeable harm to life, safety, and property.

This shows that there is a need to exercise a lot of precaution when conducting backyard shooting. One of the best ways in which you can shoot safely and responsibly while on your private property is by building a backstop which will help to capture the bullets.

Luckily, it is quite easy for you to build a backstop right in your backyard. Simply gather the materials needed and follow this easy backstop building tutorial to create your own structure within no time. Another way to ensure safety is to visit designated gun ranges around Florida.

Gun Laws in Florida

Florida is a shall-issue state whereby licenses are issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at the state level.

If you are using your firearm for target shooting on your private property, then you will be glad to know that anyone who is legally entitled to carry a firearm is allowed to open carry or conceal carry in their home without a license.

When it comes to firearms in the home setting, it is also important to take note of the fact that Florida is a Castle Doctrine State. This means that citizens have no duty to retreat when they are attacked in any place where they have a lawful right to be.

In addition, a person is justified in meeting force with force and even deadly force if he or she has a justifiable reason that this extent of force is needed to prevent the imminent commission of a felony in a forcible manner or imminent harm/death to himself/herself or other persons.

Conclusion

The state of Florida has a wide array of state regulations that govern the use and purchase of firearms in the state. If you are interested in building your own backyard shooting range, then you are definitely in luck because Florida is one of the states where you can make this dream a reality.

So, if you have a lot of extra space on your property, then don’t hesitate to set up your very own backyard shooting range. However, you must ensure that all the safety guidelines are met.