Better safe than sorry.

What does PB stand for? Powder Burner?


I have had the police called many times in my old house. I was within the law of being in my fence line and pellets NOT leaving the back yard/ property line. 

1st time, - was in my neighbors back yard cleaning the pellet rifle with him shooting cleaning pellets. Old guy hops over the fence with his gun drawn and another kicks in the gate with his shotgun in hand. Buddies dropped to the floor immediately. I stood my ground with a shotgun 4 inches from my face telling them they were in violation of the law and it was a pellet rifle. Due to a back and knee injury at the time, I couldn't lie on my stomach. I kept explaining to them and the young guy kept yelling at me. I ignored him and told the older guy to get the rookie under control and the shotgun out of my face. I explained I pose no threat and should be dealt with in the same manner i was treating them. With respect. Eventually the young guy was told to stand down and the old guy asked to search me. Again, I told them the code section and that they were breaking the law. He still searched me and then inspected the pellet rifle. Said it sounded like a 22 or a 30-06 -> I laughed at them both and told them they need to go back and listen to what those sound like again since they sound nothing alike. after they made asses out of themselves, they apologized and left. 

2nd time - I had asked the association of the property I live on if I could use the back field as a target area to sight in my pellet rifles. The back of the field was a +150 steep incline hill. I got permission and since we were on over 3acres (by local law) I decided to ask the police. Pulled up the area and printed out maps for them. Local law and the works. I got the 'OK' from them and went about my business. Every time I wanted to use the field, I got permission from the association. Second time I used the field - police showed up in full swat. Came from every direction. Again, being 'injured' I stop away from my rifle in an non aggressive or argumentative manner. Expressed to them I have permission to use the field from their substation and the association. They still confiscated the rifle, my microtech pocket knife and I was charged with felonies. The police officer that gave me permission to use the field was even present. I told them and pointed her out. They shrugged their shoulders and continued on like I never said anything. Case came up in court. They never showed. I was still not able to get the rifle and pocket knife back from the evidence people. They refused to release my property. So I lost out ~2k worth of money in gear. 

3rd time - my back yard. Same thing, they came in. I was shooting in the backyard. shot a dove and it landed outside of the property line. Although it was shot INSIDE the fence line. We all know, head shots, they flap around a bit. That little flapping sent it over the fence. When I went to grab it, they were waiting around the corner. Took the pellet rifle, broke 2 of my pellet pistols (then gave them back to me). Charged me and I ended up paying a $500 fine in court and they again kept ~2k worth of gear. Not counting the 2 broken pellet pistols. They tried to charge me with the suppressors being unregistered on the pistols. They broke them off the ends damaging the barrels beyond repair and the suppressors were also damaged beyond repair. My Leatherman Charge TTI disappeared at the same time also. 


There is NO law locally that states the orange coloration has to be used. They are going to do what they want if and when they are called. That is how they get paid. 


New address, no issues "yet".....

First off, I was thinking the same thing. Second, just so you know, people also do this with their pb as well. So just because it has an orange tip don't think the police will automatically think it's an air rifle. Police officers get briefings all the time to look out for new trends for all sorts of stuff. The bad people have already thought of this, and have tried to exploit it. My purpose in saying any of this is just to keep you safe. 

"Beau"First off, I was thinking the same thing. Second, just so you know, people also do this with their pb as well. So just because it has an orange tip don't think the police will automatically think it's an air rifle. Police officers get briefings all the time to look out for new trends for all sorts of stuff. The bad people have already thought of this, and have tried to exploit it. My purpose in saying any of this is just to keep you safe.

Click to expand...

Yep, I didn't want to state that but it is in fact true. I would just leave them in their designed form as to draw even less attention to you. 

Dewalt edition AR15, pink rifles, blue, camo, - you name it. They are already every color and toy looking gun out there that are powder burners. 

I worry about this exact same situation. I use my Prod in my yard a lot and I live in an urban area so the chances of someone seeing me shoot are high. I have stayed away from air rifles that look similar to powder burners to help distinguish it as pellet gun. I have a FX T12 400 .25 on order. I feel like the bottle guns are instantly reconizeable as a air rifle to anyone who is familiar with firearms. I'm 46 years old and haven't had any problems with the police since I was a teenager. I was prone to getting into trouble as a youth I don't want to start now so I'm trying to be careful.
You can buy pellet guns in every sporting goods store I've ever been in and most fathers who shoot have taught their son to shoot with a pellet gun in their yard.

I had an experience with the local PD while trying to sell a paintball gun to a coworker in the company parking lot. It was an easy misunderstanding, as without the hopper on it, it looks, from a distance like a handgun. The car pulled in, and drew guns telling us to drop our weapons. After depositing a load in my pants we all complied. It was readily apparent that they were mistaken, but they acted quickly and decisively, and ultimately, very professionally. They apologized and we all chuckled a bit about it. They suggested that we make similar sales indoors in the future, or in remote areas. I give them credit for reacting so quickly to seeing something, while driving by.

Allen what state do you live?....

Allen. They were cops. I agree though. Tried to file formal complaints. They do not give out the forms and info at the station's so you can easily do it.

The young guy with the shotgun and the old guy who jumped the fence were cops? Sorry I didn't catch that. I didn't mean to hijack your story. 

No stress. Yeah. They were and felt they handled the situation very unprofessionally.