If you are interested in practicing shooting with a sports air rifle in Washington state, you should be aware of the laws and regulations that apply to this activity. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your hobby safely and legally.
Know the Laws
- According to Washington state law, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase or possess an air gun, including any air rifle, air pistol, or BB gun . If you are under 18, you must be accompanied by a legal guardian or an individual over 21 who is at least 18 years old .
- You are prohibited from carrying or possessing any air gun on public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools .
- You are also prohibited from aiming any air gun, whether loaded or not, at or towards any human being, or willfully discharging any air gun in a public place, or in any place where any person might be endangered .
- You should also check your local ordinances and regulations for any additional restrictions or requirements on air gun use and ownership.
Choose a Safe Location
- You should only practice shooting with your sports air rifle in a safe and secure location, such as a licensed shooting range, a private property with permission from the owner, or an open area away from people, animals, and buildings.
- You should also make sure that you have a proper backstop to prevent your pellets from ricocheting or traveling beyond your target. A backstop can be made of wood, metal, dirt, sandbags, or other materials that can absorb the impact of the pellets.
- You should also avoid shooting near any flammable or explosive materials, such as gas tanks, propane cylinders, or aerosol cans.
Follow the Safety Rules
- You should always treat your sports air rifle as if it is loaded and ready to fire. Never point it at anything you do not intend to shoot. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Always keep the safety on until you are ready to fire.
- You should also wear eye protection and ear protection when shooting with your sports air rifle. Air rifles can produce loud noises and high velocities that can damage your hearing and vision. You should also wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your skin from possible injuries.
- You should also respect the rights and property of others when shooting with your sports air rifle. Do not shoot at any living creatures, unless you are hunting legally and ethically. Do not shoot at any signs, windows, vehicles, or other objects that do not belong to you or that you do not have permission to shoot at.
- You should also clean and maintain your sports air rifle regularly to ensure its proper functioning and accuracy. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean and lubricate your air rifle. Store your air rifle in a safe and secure place, away from children and unauthorized users.
Have Fun and Improve Your Skills
- Practicing shooting with your sports air rifle can be a fun and rewarding hobby that can improve your hand-eye coordination, concentration, discipline, and marksmanship skills. You can also join a club or a team that organizes competitions and events for air rifle enthusiasts.
- You can also try different types of targets, such as paper targets, metal targets, reactive targets, or even homemade targets. You can also experiment with different distances, positions, and techniques to challenge yourself and improve your performance.
- You can also learn more about the history, mechanics, and types of air rifles by reading books, magazines, websites, blogs, or forums dedicated to this topic. You can also watch videos or tutorials online that can teach you tips and tricks on how to shoot better with your sports air rifle.
By following these tips, you can practice shooting with your sports air rifle in Washington state safely and legally. Remember to always follow the laws and regulations that apply to this activity, choose a safe location for your practice sessions, follow the safety rules when handling your air rifle, and have fun and improve your skills as you enjoy your hobby.
Benjamin Armada BTAP22 .22-Caliber Pellet PCP Hunting/ Target Air Rifle
$527.07
in stock
10 new
from $527.07
Free shipping
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of September 21, 2023 7:06 am
Features
- PCP-POWERED .22-CALIBER AIR GUN – Great for target shooting and medium-sized game hunting
- REVERSIBLE BOLT-ACTION – For right and left-handed sportsmen
- MODULAR DESIGN WITH RIFLED BARREL – Quiet and versatile with on-board air pressure gauge
- 10-ROUND ROTARY CLIP MAGAZINE – Multi-shot capable, delivers speeds up to 1000 fps
- MACHINED RECEIVER AND 5-INCH PICATINNY RAIL – Add your favorite accessories
Gamo Swarm Bone Collector 10X GEN3i .22 Cal. 10 Pellet Multi-Shot Inertia Fed Pellet Air Rifle. 1100 fps.
$291.14
in stock
13 new
from $289.99
Free shipping
Free shipping
as of September 21, 2023 7:06 am
Features
- ✅ [High Powered Air Rifle] Up to 1,100 FPS with alloy .22 Cal. Pellets
- ✅ [Inertia Fed] 10X GEN3i technology includes our revolutionary horizontal inertia fed magazine integration
- ✅ [10 shot Pellet Rifle] 10 shot Magazine: Simply break the barrel and fire for lightning-quick follow-up shots
- ✅ [Whisper Maxxim Noise Suppresion] The Whisper Maxxim features two noise dampening chambers, offering a quieter performance as well as an improved muzzle break design
- ✅ [Gas Piston Power] The IGT Mach1 Gas Piston replaces the standard spring power plant with an Inert Gas Cylinder, but the IGT MACH 1’s monster 33 millimeter cylinder
Seneca Double Shot .50 Cal Double Barrel Shotgun air Rifle
$1,099.99
in stock
1 new
from $1,099.99
as of September 21, 2023 7:06 am
Features
- caliber: 0.50
- velocity: 1130.00 ft/sec
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Double Barreled .50 cal PCP Airgun
Gamo Viper Express Air Shotgun & Rifle air rifle
$241.99
in stock
1 new
from $241.99
as of September 21, 2023 7:06 am
Features
- caliber: 0.22
- velocity: 750.00 ft/sec
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Uses Shotshells w/Shot or Pellets
Gamo Swarm Viper 10X GEN3i .22 Cal. 10 Pellet Multi-Shot Inertia Fed Pellet Air Rifle
$241.15 in stock
15 new
from $241.00
Free shipping
Free shipping
as of September 21, 2023 7:06 am
Features
- ✅ [High Powered Air Rifle] Up to 1,000 FPS with alloy .22 Cal. Pellets
- ✅ [Inertia Fed] 10X GEN3i technology includes our revolutionary horizontal inertia fed magazine integration
- ✅ [10 shot Pellet Rifle] 10 shot Magazine: Simply break the barrel and fire for lightning-quick follow-up shotsot
- ✅ [Whisper Maxxim Noise Suppresion] The Whisper Maxxim features two noise dampening chambers, offering a quieter performance as well as an improved muzzle break design
- ✅ [Gas Piston Power] The IGT Gas Piston replaces the standard spring power plant with an Inert Gas Cylinder
