Shooting near roads

[dytkos 17,818]

Does anybody know how near to a road or a footpath it is legal to shoot? Thanks

[Ricky-N.p.p 0]

Does anybody know how near to a road or a footpath it is legal to shoot? Thanks

 

 

depends on what you're shooting with !

[stu_young 3]

if i remember right for a air rifle its either 30 or 50 ft

[john b 38]

Taken from the BASC code of good Shooting Practice

 

The public highway

• Shoot managers and Guns must ensure that shooting does not obstruct, cause danger or alarm to users of the public highway, including roads, bridleways, footpaths and other rights of way.
  
• In particular, care should be taken when siting Guns near public highways. Section 161 of the Highways Act 1980 (England & Wales) makes it an offence to discharge a firearm within 50 ft of the centre of a highway having vehicular rights without lawful authority or excuse, if as a result a user of the highway is injured, interrupted or endangered.
  
• The Highways Act does not apply in Scotland but Procurators Fiscal may use common law offences of 'culpable and reckless conduct' and 'reckless endangerment' in situations in which the 1980 Act would be contravened in England and Wales.
  
• To shoot across a footpath or bridleway may constitute a public nuisance or wilful obstruction. There may also be a liability in negligence if it is known that people are on, or likely to be on, the path.
  
• Information signs, if appropriate, should be erected on shoot days on footpaths or bridleways.
  
• The siting of release pens near highways should be avoided. Game managers should collect and dispose of road casualties where possible.
  
• Shoot managers must not position Guns in such a way that spent shot or birds might fall onto the road.
  

[Deker 3,478]

This is an old chestnut that I am asked about a lot. John and the BASC have it right.

 

The simple fact is, that there is nothing illegal at all about shooting within 50ft of the highway with any tool (discharging fireworks also count) unless it causes a problem. That is what the law says!

 

The sensible approach is of course to stay away from roads if at all possible but if not be very careful.

 

Exactly the same approach should be adopted for footpaths, bridleways etc or for any plonker who simply wants to stroll accross your shoot.

 

Deker

[Guest little_lloyd]

I know of a drive in a small copse on the edge of the motorway, the guns stand right at the top of the hill almost on the motorway!!