Discharging a firearm vs Firing blank shells

6639 Views 19 Replies 8 Participants Last post by sr20sean, Jul 2, 2012

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · Jul 1, 2012

Same thing? Different? Still need to be more than 500 ft from any other house or does it not matter since they are blanks?

I picked up a box of blanks for my AR for the 4th of July. Granted most of my property is far enough away from people's houses it still is something I've been curious about.

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

usmcveteran

· #2 · Jul 1, 2012

Do you have a BFA (blank firing apparatus) for your AR? basically goes over end of barrel and you screw in piece that blocks muzzle so there is enough pressure to cycle the weapon.
Are blanks legal in NYS?
finally I would say you shoould be fine because I assume you have permission of the owner of the building and secondly the intent IMO of that rule is because of projectiles moving through air and safety concerns. BUT you are still firing a weapon (unless there is definition in the law that says a projectile is fired) so they may be able to get you anyways.

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 1, 2012

I would assume blanks were legal since the gun shop sold them to civilians. I don't have a BFA I was going to cycle it after each shot. There was not much for discharging a firearm in the penal code. Didn't define it either which I found really odd.

Dieter122

· #4 · Jul 1, 2012

ive been told blanks = fireworks

and ive also been told even discharging blanks within city limits = discharging a firearm within city limits

gunshots is gunshots. id contact your local PD and inquire to be safe.

usmcveteran

· #5 · Jul 1, 2012

It would be in Environmental Conservation law. Thats where the law your asking about is found.
Laws of New York
they might have a definition there but I am not sure. Also even though I know you know back sure your not pointing it at anyone or anything combustible when firing it.

If you or no one finds anything in there I will give it a quick look tomorrow and see if I can find anything relevant.

meketrefe

· #6 · Jul 1, 2012

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

Tifosi

· #7 · Jul 1, 2012 (Edited)

Dieter122 said:
ive been told blanks = fireworks

and ive also been told even discharging blanks within city limits = discharging a firearm within city limits

gunshots is gunshots. id contact your local PD and inquire to be safe.

This.

Most towns, villages and cities have thier own codes, not published anywhere in state or DEC laws but in the locality's own code books, regarding firing anything within thier bounds.
Blank or no, legit or not, some sheep is almost assuredly going to bleet 'man with machinegun! shots fired! hurry!!', and then all you'll have is a BUNCH of LEA screaming in from all directions.

Now if you're out of the immediate population dense zone, others know what you're doing, and fireworks are going off in the area you could probably get away with it, though the risk of a freakout on someones part can never be completetly discounted.

Also note:
The red BFA is for rifle length gas and the yellow is for carbine length gas.
IIRC, the yellow will work on a rifle (but be quieter and messier) but a red won't work on a carbine (no cycle), or mabe its the other way around.
Suffice to say they aren't really interchangable if you want semi~auto function.

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Dieter122

· #8 · Jul 1, 2012

meketrefe said:
Happy 4th of July everyone!!

ever see the vid of a middle eastern wedding ...and the kid accidentally shoots someone?

Toddler Shoots Dad - YouTube

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 1, 2012

Well I'll call up the troopers tomorrow and ask about it.

usmcveteran

· #10 · Jul 1, 2012

I did find a few things in the law.

Here is the most important part I found.
Laws of New York

§ 270.00 Unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks. 1. Definition of "fireworks" and "dangerous fireworks". The term "fireworks," as used in this section, is defined and declared to be and to include any blank cartridge, blank cartridge pistol, or toy cannon in which explosives are used,................
3. The provisions of this section shall not apply to articles of the kind and nature herein mentioned.........
the sale or use of blank cartridges for a show or theatre, or for signal purposes in athletic sports, or for dog trials or dog training,

I also found the following Laws of New York

§ 265.05 Unlawful possession of weapons by persons under sixteen. It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of sixteen to possess any air-gun, spring-gun or other instrument or weapon in which the propelling force is a spring or air, or any gun or any instrument or weapon in or upon which any loaded or blank cartridges may be used, or any loaded or blank cartridges or ammunition therefor, or any dangerous knife; provided that the possession of rifle or shotgun or ammunition therefor by the holder of a hunting license or permit issued pursuant to article eleven of the environmental conservation law and used in accordance with said law shall not be governed by this section. A person who violates the provisions of this section shall be adjudged a juvenile delinquent.
This link talks about permits for display of fireworks. Laws of New York

It appears to me from my limited research you basically need a permit in order to legally use blanks. I hope the above helps more then it confuses.

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sr20sean

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 1, 2012

^ thank you

KBurdo

· #12 · Jul 1, 2012

Guess I'll use my blanks for dog training, instead of launching golf balls & waking up my daughters, lol
Man, this state sucks the fun out of everything.

usmcveteran

· #13 · Jul 1, 2012

Not a problem.

Tifosi

· #14 · Jul 1, 2012

KBurdo said:
Guess I'll use my blanks for dog training, instead of launching golf balls & waking up my daughters, lol
Man, this state sucks the fun out of everything.

Who's to say you aren't training your dog to retrieve golf balls at the sound of a shot?

THE RAVEN

· #15 · Jul 2, 2012

sr20sean said:
I would assume blanks were legal since the gun shop sold them to civilians. I don't have a BFA I was going to cycle it after each shot. There was not much for discharging a firearm in the penal code. Didn't define it either which I found really odd.

Some gun shops have been known to sell things legal or not......They have nothing to lose.....It is up to you to know the laws,just because they sold you the blanks doesn't necessarily mean it's legal to discharge them,and there may be seperate local laws prohibiting the use of them as well.....Golden rule : Know your local laws.....

dsdmmat

· #16 · Jul 2, 2012

usmcveteran said:
I did find a few things in the law.

Here is the most important part I found.
Laws of New York

§ 270.00 Unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks. 1. Definition of "fireworks" and "dangerous fireworks". The term "fireworks," as used in this section, is defined and declared to be and to include any blank cartridge, blank cartridge pistol, or toy cannon in which explosives are used,................
3. The provisions of this section shall not apply to articles of the kind and nature herein mentioned.........
the sale or use of blank cartridges for a show or theatre, or for signal purposes in athletic sports, or for dog trials or dog training,

I also found the following Laws of New York

§ 265.05 Unlawful possession of weapons by persons under sixteen. It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of sixteen to possess any air-gun, spring-gun or other instrument or weapon in which the propelling force is a spring or air, or any gun or any instrument or weapon in or upon which any loaded or blank cartridges may be used, or any loaded or blank cartridges or ammunition therefor, or any dangerous knife; provided that the possession of rifle or shotgun or ammunition therefor by the holder of a hunting license or permit issued pursuant to article eleven of the environmental conservation law and used in accordance with said law shall not be governed by this section. A person who violates the provisions of this section shall be adjudged a juvenile delinquent.
This link talks about permits for display of fireworks. Laws of New York

It appears to me from my limited research you basically need a permit in order to legally use blanks. I hope the above helps more then it confuses.

ise the blanks to start a race every .4 seconds? lol

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 2, 2012

^ you're starting a staggered start race

THE RAVEN

· #18 · Jul 2, 2012

usmcveteran said:
I did find a few things in the law.

Here is the most important part I found.
Laws of New York

§ 270.00 Unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks. 1. Definition of "fireworks" and "dangerous fireworks". The term "fireworks," as used in this section, is defined and declared to be and to include any blank cartridge, blank cartridge pistol, or toy cannon in which explosives are used,................
3. The provisions of this section shall not apply to articles of the kind and nature herein mentioned.........
the sale or use of blank cartridges for a show or theatre, or for signal purposes in athletic sports, or for dog trials or dog training,

Ohhhhh........Well maybe you are safe then........Fire that bad boy off and say you are signaling the start of the annual NYS ******* Olympics.....You should be good to go....LMAO........

usmcveteran

· #19 · Jul 2, 2012

You may still need to shoot it to signal a race (remember NYS wants all your money lol).

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 2, 2012

Oddly enough I would have no issue explaining shooting live rounds but I would have a problem firing blanks.....

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