Target shooting at home? Legal? Sevier County/Knox County

[9mmNoob]

Howdy all,

My wife and I have started house hunting in the Seymour/Sevierville area and I'm wondering about the legality of target shooting on your home property. Obviously if it's not safe, it's a no, I wouldn't be popping of rounds in the middle of a neighborhood with houses all around lol. I can't seem to find any information on the county website and any google search just turns up with "check local law". We'll end up in either Knox county or Sevier county. Any tips, pointers, or links would be greatly appreciated!!!

[monkeylizard]

Knox County:
http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=12815
A search for "firearms" in there turns up the parks ban, but that's all.

I couldn't find Sevier Co.'s muni code.

If the property is in a city's limits, it would fall under their ordinances. If the property is close to the city limits, ask yourself if it would someday be annexed into the city from the county.

[9mmNoob]

Thanks for the link and especially the tip about being annexed! I would have never thought about that.

[Steelharp]

Bass player buddy of mine and his brother... when they were younger and still living at home... they had a full basement, cinder block walls... and they stacked old phone books and anything else they could get their hands on, and stack it all against one wall, and shoot like the crazy kids they were down there. lol...

[MississippiBoy]

I shoot off of Boyd's Creek regularly and hunt there too. It depends on where you are. No laws in the county in either Knox or Sevier that I am aware of.

It is a great area.

[peejman]

In general, discharge of a firearm within city limits is against the law. It's usually legal in the county. I live less than 1/2 mile from the city limit and someone near me, closer to the line, shoots occasionally.

If you do shoot, make sure you have a good (earthen) backstop. Make good choices for targets. Trees make poor targets, AMHIK.

Be aware of how loud guns are and consider your neighbors when shooting. Expect a few visits from the local sheriff.

[Glenn]

My wife's cousin lives in south Knoxville, not as far out as Seymour. He shoots on his property sometimes. He says the sheriff usually comes, says someone called and he has to come out. They chat awhile, deputy may shoot a few times, then goes on his way. Seems like a hassle, but not illegal.