Is it legal in Florida to shoot a BB gun in your backyard?

Florida law generally allows adults to shoot BB guns on private property, including in their backyards, as long as no one is hurt and no property is damaged. 

But there are key restrictions. 

Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult when using a BB gun, and reckless use — like firing into a building or vehicle — can lead to serious criminal charges.

BB guns aren’t considered firearms under state law, but their projectiles can still cause harm and be treated as dangerous missiles in certain cases. For example, a Jacksonville man was charged in March with aggravated domestic battery after allegedly shooting a woman with a BB gun. 

Some cities may have stricter local rules, particularly in urban neighborhoods or near schools. Local ordinances in Bradenton, Palmetto and Sarasota, however, did not reveal any additional regulations.