Not sure which law you are reading but the one Google is giving me says no discharge of Airgun in “public places” or where it could endanger a person. Don’t get me wrong, genuinely want to know and would definitely adapt what I’m doing if not legal. But the above doesn’t make sense to me based on the law. For what it’s worth, at least AI agrees with that:
New York Penal Law § 265.35 does not explicitly mention a 500-foot restriction for discharging an airgun near a dwelling. However, it does prohibit the willful discharge of an airgun in a public place or in any place where there is any person to be endangered thereby, except in cases of self-defense or official duty. In Putnam County specifically, the law prohibits discharging an airgun within one-quarter mile (1,320 feet) of any occupied school building, unless under supervised instruction by authorized instructors. This is broader than a 500-foot restriction and applies only to schools, not dwellings generally.
For dwellings, the law focuses on the potential to endanger persons rather than a specific distance like 500 feet. Discharging an airgun in a manner that could endanger someone, even without causing injury, is a class A misdemeanor under § 265.35(3)(a). The determination of illegality would depend on the circumstances, such as whether the discharge was in a public place or posed a risk to others, rather than a fixed distance from a dwelling.
Since the 500-foot restriction is not explicitly stated in § 265.35 for dwellings, it’s possible this distance is referenced in local ordinances or other regulations not covered by the state penal code. You may want to check municipal or county laws for specific restrictions on airgun discharge near dwellings. For a definitive answer, consulting a legal professional familiar with local laws is advisable.[](https://criminaldefense.1800nynylaw.com/new-york-penal-code-265-35-prohibited-use-of-weapons.html)[](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/265.35)[](https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/penal-law/pen-sect-265-3
