City Boundaries

Your question is painful to hear. It would sound silly in most other states, but California laws are fickle... and as such breed questions like yours. My uncle lived in Lookout California and was often finding out he'd unwittingly broken a new law,

California laws vary wildly by county, at least with regards to firearms. It's safe to speculate that airguns suffer similar peril.

In the 1980's New Mexico passed an amendment that kept any county, city or municipality from passing any firearm law stricter than state law, so knowing state law alleviated ignorance and ambiguity.

Having said that, I can't see why a county boundary would impact shootability, since you're ALWAYS inside a county.

I hope you find a concrete answer. Good on ya for at least trying to keep your ducks in a row.

Ed

Recommend you :

Call the Sheriffs Office for the county you are planning to shoot your air rifle and ask what the restrictions are.for that county. If you are camping in a state regulated campground, you will want to contact the people that administer it to find out what the restrictions are for that campground. I would be wary of taking it with you camping if other campers could see you with it. Most don't know a powder burner from an air rifle and could call law enforcement and report you as an "evil gun toting psychopath". 

Thank God I live in Alabama. We are open carry, concealed weapon carry license are free to vets (in my county) and air rifles (by state law) are not firearms and can be used anywhere in the state. I shoot tree rats out my kitchen window. Even with this freedom, I do not walk around my neighborhood with my Gamo Urban 22 on my shoulder attracting attention from my neighbors.

I would shop around for a local firearms club or you local weapons or sporting goods store and ask them where it would be safe to fire your weapon.



Charlie

Not sure about California laws but in Michigan every township, city, county and so on can have their own laws regarding things. It’s best to call the law enforcement or supervisor of the area you are in question of. 

Unfortunately, when it comes to gun laws especially, NO is a lot easier than YES. No covers the whole gamut and makes it a lot easier for the government to not be forced into looking into the situation any deeper. Yes means the specifics have to be dealt with and that is often difficult for lawmakers that often have little to no knowledge of those specifics regarding firearms or their offspring.

So, if you do ask, expect a no and cherish a yes if you are lucky enough for it to come.

Charlie is correct....

Many cities see no difference between a red ryder and a 50BMG. They are the same thing.

If you are outside of a city limits the sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer in MOST places. Some very small population areas this can go to a state police or such.

Here in missouri (I work at a sheriffs office) there are laws for outside the county, away from roads things like that but in general if we get a call on gun fire (never gone to an air gun call) we will come out see how they are shooting and really if it is in a save manner nothing to be done. And with many city folk coming to the country this does not sit well with some of them.

Just be aware that if it is legal and everything is good with what, where and how you are shooting your air rifle you could still get a visit. People in general don't know what air guns are and how they work past Ralphie's red ryder.

Living in Los Angeles County, in the great communist state of California, You better watch out. Although Air Rifles are not Fire Arms, the State, County and most Cities have rules like the following:

In California, not just anyone can buy a BB gun. In fact, it’s prohibited to sell a BB gun to anyone under the age of 18 or provide one to minors without their parents’ permission. In addition, this sort of weapon is not permitted on the grounds of any public or private school without permission. If you own a gun like this, you are not allowed to draw it or use it in a threatening manner in a public place. Additionally, the state prohibits you from drawing your weapon in a public place. In any area like a government building or public transit facility that specifically states BB guns are not permitted, it is a violation of California law to possess one.

There is a law which allows someone to carry a rifle on Public Land, but I would call the sheriff in the area a couple different times to double check the answers given a couple times. You can also call the Game Warden in the area and ask them specifically about the area you will be in and have them site the State Code, COPY THAT DOWN, PRINT IT AND CARRY IT WITH YOU. I'd also have a CA. Hunting Lisc just to cover your backside a little better.

Smitty

The laws about discharging airguns are left up to local municipalities. Counties do not usually put massive sweeping restrictions on discharging airguns because the areas they govern are often very dynamic and may range from a city to a farm. Calling the sheriff is not going to help, as they most likely will not know the laws, so you're likely to get wrong information. Bottom line is you need to research the area you'll be in to see if airguns are permitted. In Californa, you cannot target shoot on almost all USFS land (except very few designated shooting areas), State and County parks with anything. The banning of target shooting is due to the vast sums of trash that were being left behind left behind causing substantial cleanup costs.



Here is an example:

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21300


LOADED FIREARMS AND HUNTING are not allowed in units of the State Parks System. Possession of loaded firearms or air rifles is prohibited. Exceptions are for hunting in recreation areas that have been designated by the State Park and Recreation Commission. 

EDgunWest is very correct. Just calling the police authority isn't necessarily gonna give you the correct answer. In my case, I read the city ordinances, found out they were as clear as mud, talked to a neighbor who had had some contact with the local S/O regarding his pellet gun, they didn't care if he shot it inside the city limits or not, so, I shoot in my back yard, very respectfully. As long as my neighbors don't complain, I should be good. 

Good point made about getting wrong information. Most of this stuff the locals haven't delt with and an OK to shoot while seeming reasonable may still be against the law. Big advantage to being able to shoot indoors. Personally I would not shoot any place other then on a shooting range or on my own property. If you are shooting on your own property you best do it so that there is absolutely no chance of it impacting the neighbors . That's just the reality of things. Not just in CA. It's getting harder to find places to shoot. Good reason for air guns . 

This is the reason 10 meter shooting is enjoying a resurgence of popularity.

I, for example, have 15 yards of un-interrupted hallway downstairs ending in an un-used fireplace and around 13 yards upstairs.

A nice target (duct seal) and I can shoot my FWB 300 and IZH46M to my heart’s content and California can kiss me between the back pockets..

I also wear my 9mm or .357 while I am at home...