Using Airsoft Weapons on Public Property

[Mensch]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California.

I have plenty of friends that go into the woods and other out-of-the-way places in my area for small airsoft wars. Since I'm in the Navy DEP process, I don't want to have any issues with the law, and want to find out if it is legal to use airsoft rifles on out-of-the-way public property. The airsoft guns are only aimed at participants and in safe directions.

EDIT:

They have done this before with no issues raised, they just never have really been cleared to do so, and I want to make sure that if they ever do get in trouble, it's not the time that I'm there. Sounds like calling the police department's non-emergency line is a good bet.

[cdwjava]

If the county or municipality prohibits the discharge of air rifles or guns, then you could run afoul of a local ordinance. Likewise, those little pellets can be considered littering, so you might be charged with at offense as well.

And, of course, there might be the inevitable call to the local cops about people with guns running around the park or the woods. And the cops will be pointing REAL guns at you.

Best bet might be to check with the local police department or sheriff's office with jurisdiction in the preferred play area.

[Mensch]

I called the two local police departments involved (Orange + Anaheim).

Orange says it's illegal. Anaheim says it's "technically" illegal (I assume that means that it's illegal but not as likely to get us in trouble), but strongly recommends against doing it since due to the Colorado shooting and the recent Anaheim riots, the populace has determined that everybody who looks like they might be using a firearm warrants a police call, plus they're concerned about people starting fires in the hills. So it's off to a pay-to-fight place for me. Thanks for the advice!

[Trailboss]

Me and some bro's from the Marines used to go out into public forest and use paintball and airsoft guns all the time. Only problem we had was the park rangers: they would roll up on us and give us a hard time. Never arrested nor had anything confiscated...just kicked out and threatened with a ticket once or twice. Then they would want to play around with the various guns we brought out!