Since the invention of airguns, people of all ages have engaged in hunting various creatures, from insects to birds and even small game. However, this seemingly innocent pastime has often walked a fine line between legality and trespassing the boundaries of hunting regulations. Fortunately, there has been a significant shift in attitudes and legislation regarding airgun hunting, leading to an exciting new chapter in the world of sportsmanship.
While they are not as powerful as conventional rifles, air guns or BB guns are still considered lethal in most states. It is for this reason; different states have different laws and regulations relating to BB guns.
Do you know in 2008, Missouri made history as one of the first states in America to permit the use of airguns for harvesting large game? This groundbreaking decision marked the beginning of a movement to redefine the boundaries of hunting sportsmanship and prompted the exploration of airguns’ capabilities as a viable tool for responsible hunting.
Below are air gun laws by state.
Air Gun Laws By State: Rule And Regulations For Using Air Gun In Different States
Alabama
In Alabama, there are no laws restricting or regulating non-powder guns or air rifles.
Alaska
Like Alabama, Alaska also does not have any laws restricting or regulating air rifles.
Arizona
Arizona is another state whose laws are quiet on the use of non-powder rifles or BB guns. The state, therefore, does not have any laws restricting the use of these guns.
Arkansas
Arkansas does not prohibit the use of air rifles either.
California
In California, BB guns are classified as imitation firearms. As such, While it is legal to own an air rifle, it is illegal to display an air rifle in a public place. Also, it is unlawful to furnish a minor with a BB gun without their parent’s or guardian’s supervision.
This raises the question of where to shoot air rifles in California? California does allow the use of air rifles for hunting. There are several species of animals that you can hunt with an air rifle. These include pigeons, quail, rabbit, skunk, weasel, and turkey.
Colorado
Colorado air gun laws are a bit different as they may vary from municipal to municipal. However, it is generally illegal to fire a BB gun in a public place in most cities. This includes cities such as Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Longmont, and Thornton.
However, the firing of air rifles can be done at any approved gun range. As for hunting, there are several animals you can hunt with an air rifle. These include predatory animals such as coyotes and bobcats.
Under colorado bb gun laws, you can only use a .25 caliber or bigger PCP rifle for hunting coyotes and bobcats. However, other animals such as ground squirrels, feral hogs, and Opossum can all be hunted with different air rifle calibers.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, you can use your air gun to hunt most small animals. However, you can only use a .17 caliber air rifle or larger on private lands. And on state lands, the air rifle caliber you use should not exceed .22 caliber.
This applies to all the small games that you can hunt with an air rifle, from squirrels, Opossums to Raccoons.
Delaware
Delaware air rifle laws prohibit anyone from owning or possessing any weapon capable of discharging a pellet by compressed air. The only exception is a BB or air gun that shoots a projectile not larger than a BB shot.
As such, only small game air rifle for hunting is allowed under air hunting laws. In addition, you can only use a rifle with a caliber of between .17 and .22.
Florida
The Florida law on air rifles requires any minor under the age of 16 who uses an air rifle to be supervised by an adult. For hunting, Florida does not restrict hunting deer with a pellet gun. During firearm season, you can use a .30 caliber or larger PCP rifle for hunting whitetail deer.
For turkey season, you can use a .20 caliber or larger for hunting turkey. There are other animals that you can hunt with an air rifle, including feral hogs and coyotes.
Georgia
In Georgia, it is illegal to be in possession of an air rifle in any park, historic site, or recreational area unless with written permission from the commissioner of natural resources. However, for hunting, Georgia does allow the use of air rifles.
During the primitive weapons and firearms season, you can use a .30 caliber or larger PCP rifle on a black bear. The same applies to whitetail deer. For turkey season, you can also use a.30 caliber air rifle.
Hawaii
Air rifles do not fall under the classification of firearms. Thus no permit is required to purchase an air rifle in Hawaii. However, displaying or using an air rifle in public lands or public places is illegal under most municipal by-laws.
The use of air rifles on private land is, however, acceptable. In addition, you can hunt different animals on private land, including feral goats, hogs, axis deer, and mouflon.
Idaho
Generally speaking, there are no regulations or restrictions on the use of air rifles in Idaho. As such, you can use an air rifle for most hunting activities. However, the Idaho game and fisheries department requires the use of a .45 caliber or larger PCP on the big game.
In particular, an air rifle with an FPE of at least 350 is recommended for bighorn sheep and black bears. The same goes for Elk, mountain goat, moose, mountain lion, and mule deer.
Illinois
Certain air rifles are considered firearms in Illinois. Powerful air rifles are considered firearms and have the same regulations as guns. Nonetheless, air guns that shoot a projectile less than 18 inches in diameter are not considered firearms.
Except for authorized gun ranges, it is illegal to display or use an air gun in any public space or land.
When it comes to hunting, Illinois air rifle hunting laws do not restrict the use of air rifles for hunting. Nevertheless, you can only use a .22 caliber air rifle for dispatching bobcats, beavers, badgers, and furbearers.
Indiana
Indiana does not have any restrictions on the use of air rifles. That being said, you can use an air rifle on most animals, including coyotes, feral hogs, and red foxes.
Iowa
The use of air rifles for hunting is approved for hunting certain species of small animals. These include coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, feral hogs and foxes.
Kansas
Kansas also has no laws restricting the use of air rifles. However, you do require a permit to hunt feral hogs on private land. Also, feral hogs can only be hunted in private lands.
Kentucky
Kentucky is another state that does not explicitly restrict the use of air rifles. Nonetheless, there are guidelines for air rifle hunting. For whitetail deer, you can only hunt them during firearm season.
The accepted whitetail deer hunting air rifle is any .35 caliber rifle powered by an external source. For most other animals, the accepted caliber is .22 or larger.
Louisiana
Louisiana does not have any laws restricting air guns as well. So you can hunt coyotes, armadillos, feral hogs, rabbits, and squirrels using an air gun in this state.
Maine
It is illegal to knowingly sell or furnish a minor aged 16 years or below with an air rifle in Maine. This is the only law relating to air rifles in the state. For hunting, though, you need a .22 caliber or larger air rifle for black bears, deer, and moose.
Maryland
Are air guns legal in Maryland? The answer is yes. There are no laws restricting air rifles in Maryland. But there are specifications on what kind of air rifles can be used for hunting. For example, big game air rifle hunting is allowed but only with a .40 caliber or larger air rifle.
Furthermore, the air rifle needs to produce at least 400 FPE. This applies to black bears and whitetail deer. Air guns are also allowed during the spring turkey season.
Massachusetts
The only main restriction regarding air rifles in Massachusetts is the selling or furnishing of an air rifle to a minor aged below 18 years. Most animals can be hunted using an air rifle in Massachusetts.
There are thus no bb gun laws Massachusetts purchase. Some of the animals that can be hunted with an air rifle include bobcats, coyotes, chipmunks, and raccoons.
Michigan
In 2015 Michigan amended its laws to remove high-power air rifles from the firearms list. This means the regulations that apply to conventional guns do not apply to firearms. However, when it comes to air gun hunting, it is generally acceptable.
However, only air shotguns are allowed for turkey hunting season.
Minnesota
Like most other states, Minnesota prohibits the carrying or displaying of air rifles in public places. For hunting purposes, air rifles are generally acceptable. However, there are some exceptions. For example, hunting northern pocket gopher, bobwhite quails, English sparrow, and spotted skunks are prohibited.
Mississippi
Mississippi prohibits the carrying, whether concealed or not, of an air rifle on educational property. This restriction also applies to giving a minor aged below 18 years an air rifle. Other than these restrictions, there are no other laws relating to air rifles in Mississippi.
For hunting purposes, only whitetail deer can be hunted on private property with air rifles.
Missouri
Missouri makes it an offense to handle an air rifle negligently while intoxicated or in a manner to cause harm. You can, however, use an air rifle for hunting. But only a .40 caliber or larger PCP air rifle is accepted for deer hunting.
Montana
Montana has no laws relating to air rifles. The use of air rifles for hunting small games is allowed.
Nebraska
Nebraska also has no laws relating to air rifles. Small game hunting of raccoons, rabbits, porcupine, skunk, and other small game.
Nevada
As with some other states, Nevada mostly prohibits the display or use of air rifles in public places and educational places. Most animals, mostly small game, can be hunted using air rifles except for upland game birds.
New Hampshire
When we go to New Hampshire, the main laws relating to air rifles relate to minors aged below 18 years who are found with an air rifle in school premises. Other than that, there aren’t other laws relating to air rifles.
New Jersey
Air guns in New Jersey are considered firearms and are subject to all regulations relating to other types of weapons. As such, you need a permit to purchase an air rifle. However, when it comes to hunting, air guns with a caliber of between .177 and .22 with at least 600 FPS are allowed for small game hunting.
New Mexico
New Mexico does not restrict the use of air rifles. However, if you intend on hunting coyotes, skunks, squirrels, and Grouse, you need a .177 or larger caliber air rifle. For coyotes, the recommended caliber is .35.
New York
In New York, an air gun is any firearm that uses compressed air or spring to propel a single projectile. For purposes of this definition, a single projectile is .177 or larger and has a muzzle velocity of at least 600 FPS. However, you can calculate your muzzle velocity using this calculator.
You can use an air gun to hunt most small animals, including chipmunks, pigeons, rabbits, raccoons, and red squirrels.
North Carolina
Unlike in some other states in North Carolina for hunting purposes, air rifles are grouped in the same category as conventional firearms. As such, you can use air rifles for hunting any animals that you would hunt with a conventional gun.
It is worth noting that arrow shooting air rifles are not classified as archery equipment and thus not allowed during archery season.
North Dakota
North Dakota laws on air rifles do not consider them as firearms. However, big game air gun hunting is allowed. For bighorn sheep, and moose a .45 caliber air rifle is required.
For mule deer and whitetail deer, you can use a .35 or larger caliber air rifle.
Ohio
Ohio does not have laws restricting air rifles, and most small games can be hunted using air rifles.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma also does not have laws relating to airguns. Thus most small games can be hunted using air rifles.
Oregon
There aren’t any laws restricting air rifles in Oregon.
Pennsylvania
Most animals can be hunted using air rifles in Pennsylvania. However, there are some rules on what kind of air rifles can be used and for what. When it comes to beavers and river otters, air rifles can only be used to dispatch trapped animals.
Other small animals can be hunted using an air rifle with between .177 and .22 caliber air rifles.
Rhode Island
You can hunt three animal species using an air rifle in Rhode Island, rabbit, squirrel, and woodchuck. For these three animals, you need an air rifle with a caliber of between .177 and .22 capable of producing 750 FPE.
South Carolina
It is illegal to be in possession of an air rifle in any park that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. This is unless you have a concealed weapon permit.
Air rifles are classified as firearms. And as such, you can use one for hunting on condition it meets the necessary caliber requirements. On most public lands, you need a .22 caliber or smaller air rifle.
South Dakota
South Dakota has no laws restricting the use of air rifles.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, there are several air rifle caliber requirements you need to fulfill. To start with, air gun deer hunting can only be done during the firearms season. Also, you can only use a .35 caliber or larger PCP rifle for this.
For most other animals, the caliber requirements range from .22 or smaller to .35 or larger.
Texas
Texas is another state that does not have laws restricting the use of air rifles. However, similar to other states, caliber restrictions apply for air rifle hunting. For instance, for alligator hunting, you need at least a.30 caliber rifle.
Also, Texas air gun laws provide that air gun hunting of coyotes can only be done on private lands. For most big games such as Elk, PCP rifles are accepted for hunting.
Washington
DC laws on air rifles mainly relate to the sale and use of air guns by minors aged below 18 years. However, anyone aged 18 years and above may transport an air rifle within the state provided it is unloaded and well secured.
Air rifles can only be used on small games in DC; this includes gray and ground squirrel, coyote, beavers, and gophers.
Washington State
In the state of Washington, air guns are classified as firearms. As such, being in open possession of one in a public place or institution of learning is illegal. However, other than this restriction, air guns for hunting and other recreational purposes are allowed in the state.
Utah
Both small game and big game air rifle hunting are allowed in Utah. However, it is with some restrictions. Hunting of big games can only be done during the firearms season. And the only accepted air guns for this are PCP rifles.
Vermont
Vermont does not have specific laws restricting the use of air guns.
Virginia
Air rifles in Virginia can be used to hunt the same animals hunted using conventional guns. However, for whitetail deer, only .35 caliber PCP rifles are accepted during the rifle season.
West Virginia
West Virginia has no laws restricting the use of air rifles
Wisconsin
Wisconsin prohibits the use of air rifles on school premises. As for the animals you can hunt with air rifles, they are mostly small game.
Wyoming
Wyoming does not have any laws restricting air rifles.
International Considerations For Air Gun Regulations
For readers residing outside the United States, it is crucial to understand that airgun hunting regulations may differ from country to country. To avoid legal complications, it is strongly recommended to consult the appropriate authorities regarding licensing requirements, hunting regulations, and any specific airgun restrictions applicable in their respective countries.
About The Author:
Lake Streeter, A Gun enthusiast, and loves to hunt in the middle of the wood. Always check the latest hunting gears out in the market and try to share his honest opinion with the audience in Hunting Nook.
22 thoughts on “Analyzing Air Gun Laws by State: 50 States Airgun Laws”
What about the state of Washington? You totally overlooked that state and covered the District of Columbia in its place. I need to know if a former felon can own a high powered air rifle in the state of Washington.
We Updated the information hope you will find it helpful.
From what I see the law defining an airgun as a firearm seems applicable under Title 478 (University of Washington),Chapter 478-121 (Student Conduct Code University of Washington) and under WAC 478-121-143.
Under those (limited) conditions (at that specific University) in the state of Washington it would seem to be illegal for a ex Felon without firearm rights restored though I am just a layman voicing a mere opinion.
I would seek better legal information from someone that’s certified to give expert knowledge on like an Criminal Defense Attorney with expertise in firearms laws which I am not.
It could be quite possible for a convicted Felon to possess an airgun under more ordinary circumstances (like not at the University of Washington property or buildings). So more comprehensive understanding needs to be resolved and only a legal expert could provide this.
Okay, I was pulled over in Colfax, which is Whitman County Washington. Im a 7 time convicted felon from Nevada. The cops shook down my entire truck and found my rifles. A airforce condor, which is 1200 bucks or so, and in 22 you can kill deer with it. And my Ruger 22 break barrel. They complimented me on my rifles, and put them back in the gun cases. I asked, and they said that “no, Washington has no pellet gun laws for felons.” Straight from the Whitman County sheriffs department. Hope that helped.
I JUST NOW read what was revised about Washington state. I got pulled over by Whitman County sheriffs department. If you’re from Whitman County, it was sheriff Jordan that shook down my truck. They complimented me on my air rifles and put them back into the cases. An airforce condor, silenced(condor ss), and a break barrel ruger 22. Also had a full auto Crosman pistol (Beretta m9a2 platform) and a .43 cal rubber ball gun(Smith and Wesson M&P platform). They said there’s NO LAWS FOR FELONS AND AIRGUNS IN WASHINGTON STATE. Im sure if you go traipsing into a school OF ANY type and have a squirter gun on you, im sure you’ll be sad. But other than that…..no.
What about Washington State? You referred to D.C. Washington D.C. is 4,000 miles east of Washington State.
We Updated the information hope you will find it helpful.
I suspect that Lake doesn’t understand the difference between the State and DC.
Ron, the thing is we first craft our articles in the doc and by mistake, we forget to put the data of Washington state from doc to our site. We are sorry for that.
I echo the sentiments of Mike OHandley…..
Jon It was Our mistake to overlook that, actually we forget to put it on the site from the draft. Now the data is updated. Hope you will find it helpful.
I have been using muzzleloaders to hunt with for the last 38 years ,most airguns are at or below the level of a muzzleloader, in regards to fps and fpe , that being said and the fact that currently airguns are not considered a firearm ATF has no jurisdiction with them and are not regulated by them . so if a federal agency who is in charge of regulating the use of firearms. does not regulate them. then how can any state justify outlawing them for use by a felon it makes no sense.its ok to let felons use a crossbow but not a pellet gun for hunting is just one example. I can see restricting what caliber can be used for big game that makes sense but to disallow the use of an airgun by a felon sounds like some could challenge that in court if it came to that. just my opinion. no democrats were harmed during this venting session
I assume agree with you, and you SHOULD be correct. However as you and I both know liberals would have a fricking stroke if it were changed. But on the crossbow thing, actually a LOT of states have adopted laws concerning possession by felons. Its the super silent, and trigger parts that they frown on. I know one of the dakotas(i think South dakota), considers it a firearm if you’re a felon with ANY bb or pellet gun. New Jersey. Illinois. California. Nevada doesn’t, but Clark County deems it a gross misdemeanor. Idaho, I called the cop shop when I passed thru Moscow last time because I had my rifles. I asked. Better to know than be sad in county jail. They said “no, absolutely not.” I don’t know if that’s one sergeants opinion, or law, but I didn’t argue. Oregon i was involved in a self defense situation (defending my chick from someone trying to set her on fire actually) and shot a dude 7 times in the face with a M&P .43 cal paintball gun with rubber loads. It came down to crunch and the sheriff got called and he knew, and I never went to jail. And they’re laws for ANY type of assault start at Mandatory Minimum of 70 months. Those are the ones I know for sure. I won’t speak on anything I don’t know about, because this could be someone’s life that I’m “playing ” with. And ALWAYS, if you’re a felons, ALWAYS CHECK YOURSELF. I can’t say it enough. Its a five second phone call to the state police, or county sheriff. Felons dont call the cops, but if you don’t you’re kind of stupid on this one. Its just a quick question you’re asking, and it could save us 8 to 20 years in some places. I love airguns. I love my woman more. Won’t have either if I’m upstate. Just saying.
Your info on Iowa is slightly wrong.
Iowa Air Gun Hunting Regulations
Iowa allows air gun hunting for certain species. These species include:
• Coyote
• Fox
• Rabbit
• Squirrel
There are additional municipal laws also
Thanks for your update jeff. We appreciate your contribution.
The english sparrow is not protected in minnesota!!!
Thanks For The Update Chris D
The Washington state info is totally wrong. It cites RCWs pertaining to the University of Washington campus and has nothing to do with the state’s airgun hunting regulations.
CAN I GIT A PCP GUN WITH A BAD BACKE GROUND IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
WHAT CAN I GIET WITH A BAD BACKGROUND JUST FOR THE BACKYARD SHOOTING
Hi I have a question I can’t find an answer to. I have a mental illness. Is it legal for me to purchase a pellet gun in Cecil county Maryland or the town of rising sund? I just don’t want to get one and get into trouble
I appreciate your time and any advice you can give me. Thanks it
I am not qualified to provide legal advice or information on local laws and regulations. However, in general, individuals with mental illnesses may face restrictions on owning or purchasing firearms, including pellet guns, in certain circumstances.
In Maryland, there are laws that prohibit individuals with certain mental illnesses or conditions from possessing firearms. It is possible that these restrictions could apply to the purchase of a pellet gun as well. Additionally, individual towns or municipalities may have their own laws or regulations regarding the purchase of firearms, including pellet guns.
I would recommend consulting with a local attorney or law enforcement agency in your area to determine the specific laws and regulations that apply to your situation. They can provide you with more specific and accurate information about any restrictions or requirements related to purchasing a pellet gun.