Is it Illegal to Shoot Squirrels with a BB Gun?
Direct Answer:
Yes, it is illegal to shoot squirrels with a BB gun in most states in the United States. BB guns are considered to be firearms and are subject to the same laws and regulations as traditional firearms. Hunting and shooting animals, including squirrels, with BB guns is illegal in most states and is considered a form of animal cruelty.
Understanding the Laws
BB guns are classified as firearms by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and are regulated under federal law. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 922 defines a firearm as "any weapon designed to be used primarily for the purpose of inflicting death or serious bodily injury." BB guns meet this definition and are considered to be firearms.
State-by-State Laws
While the federal government regulates BB guns, individual states have their own laws and regulations regarding the use of BB guns for hunting and shooting animals. Table 1 below summarizes the laws in each state:
| State | Law |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Alaska | Allows the use of BB guns for hunting with a permit |
| Arizona | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Arkansas | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| California | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Colorado | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Connecticut | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Delaware | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Florida | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Georgia | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Hawaii | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Idaho | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Illinois | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Indiana | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Iowa | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Kansas | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Kentucky | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Louisiana | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Maine | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Maryland | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Massachusetts | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Michigan | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Minnesota | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Mississippi | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Missouri | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Montana | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Nebraska | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Nevada | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| New Hampshire | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| New Jersey | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| New Mexico | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| New York | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| North Carolina | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| North Dakota | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Ohio | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Oklahoma | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Oregon | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Pennsylvania | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Rhode Island | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| South Carolina | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| South Dakota | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Tennessee | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Texas | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Utah | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Vermont | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Virginia | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Washington | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| West Virginia | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Wisconsin | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
| Wyoming | Prohibits the use of BB guns for hunting |
Penalties for Violating the Laws
Table 2 below summarizes the penalties for violating the laws regarding the use of BB guns for hunting and shooting animals:
| State | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Alaska | Fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 1 year |
| Arizona | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Arkansas | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| California | Fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 1 year |
| Colorado | Fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 1 year |
| Connecticut | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Delaware | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Florida | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Georgia | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Hawaii | Fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 1 year |
| Idaho | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Illinois | Fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 1 year |
| Indiana | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Iowa | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Kansas | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Kentucky | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Louisiana | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Maine | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Maryland | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Massachusetts | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Michigan | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Minnesota | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Mississippi | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Missouri | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Montana | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Nebraska | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Nevada | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| New Hampshire | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| New Jersey | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| New Mexico | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| New York | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| North Carolina | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| North Dakota | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Ohio | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Oklahoma | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Oregon | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Pennsylvania | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Rhode Island | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| South Carolina | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| South Dakota | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Tennessee | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Texas | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Utah | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Vermont | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Virginia | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Washington | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| West Virginia | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Wisconsin | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Wyoming | Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months |
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is illegal to shoot squirrels with a BB gun in most states in the United States. BB guns are considered to be firearms and are subject to the same laws and regulations as traditional firearms. Hunting and shooting animals, including squirrels, with BB guns is illegal in most states and is considered a form of animal cruelty.
