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Our Mission: “Committed to excellence, service, and the protection of life and property in our community.”
Our Mission: “Committed to excellence, service, and the protection of life and property in our community.” |
Contact Us(Reno, NV. July 24, 2024) – The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue are reminding residents to be cautious when participating in outdoor target shooting activities this summer.
When a bullet hits a metal target or solid rock, friction can create hot fragments of lead or copper that are small enough to glow and hot enough to start a fire. A stray bullet can also seriously injure or even kill a bystander.
“As we head further into summer, with an increasing number of red flag warning days, outdoor target shooting can potentially start a brushfire or wildfire,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said. “I encourage all those who are target shooting outdoors to be aware of their surroundings and what could be over a hill or just out of sight.
It is unlawful to discharge any gun, pistol, rifle, shotgun or other firearm within any congested area of the county. Congested area/firearms discharge maps can be found here.
“I encourage anyone target shooting outdoors to always be equipped with a small fire extinguisher, water or hand tools so that you can put out a small fire it one occurs,” Chief Charles Moore said. “Always place targets on the dirt or gravel, away from dry leaves, grass, trees, or brush. Avoid shooting in rocky areas. Additionally, avoid shooting on hot and windy days, when sparks can move more quickly and unpredictably.”
As a reminder to residents, it is unlawful to discharge any gun, pistol, rifle, shotgun or other firearm in, on or across any county road or highway.
Additionally, it is unlawful to discharge in the unincorporated area of Washoe County any gun, pistol, rifle, or other firearm within 5,000 feet of any dwelling occupied by another person or persons. The distance is reduced to 1,000 feet of any dwelling occupied by another person or persons when using a shotgun, air rifle or B-B gun. Tracer ammunition and exploding targets are illegal year-round in Washoe County and on public lands.
Contacts:
Adam Mayberry, 775.233.3991 (Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue)
Sergeant Kristin Vietti, 775.895.0027 (Washoe County Sheriff’s Office)
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