# Is it illegal to use a picture of the president for target practice? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 27, 2008, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065 "2008-04-27T08:31:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/1 "2008-04-27T08:31:56Z")
If you set up a photo of the president’s face and used it as a target to shoot at, throw darts at, launch arrows at, etc, could you be charged with anything? What about a photo of a senator, governor or some other political figure? Or would this be protected by the first amendment? ---
**Author:** ![Bergomum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/34f0e0/32.png) [@Bergomum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bergomum)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/2 "2008-04-27T12:12:37Z")
Can’t imagine why it shouldn’t be your right to do this. It would be quite an oppressive regime that deems it necessary to enforce patriotism on its subjects by exalting representative idols into sanctity. (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. Or Joseph Stalin, Kim Jong-il, Mao Zedong, Saddam Hussein, or any other of those big-portrait guys whose desecration would’ve get you executed…) Of course, if instead of saying “Look, I’m making a political statement!” you declare “Look, I’m going to kill this guy! I’m practicing for an actual murder!” then you might have a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/3 "2008-04-27T15:35:01Z")
I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a visit from the Secret Service if someone reported you. They take any possible threat seriously. I seem to recall them having a chat with a school kid who wore a shirt with a photo of Bush in a crosshair a few years ago. This is all I could find: [http://www.prisonplanet.com/news\_alert\_121202\_general.html](http://www.prisonplanet.com/news_alert_121202_general.html) > [@](#): > > Secret Service Agents question a Bellbrook High School student for wearing a controversial t-shirt. > … > According to the Assistant Principal, the student had worn it before and the shirt didn’t cause any problems until cross hairs appeared on the President’s forehead. > > The Assistant Principal confiscated the shirt, called the FBI and agents then called the secret service. " ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/4 "2008-04-27T15:41:37Z")
After 9/11, I went to a shooting range with targets made from a photo of Bin Laden. The range master wouldn’t allow use to use them, although I doubt there was any law against it. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/5 "2008-04-27T16:46:27Z")
[QUOTE=beowulff] After 9/11, I went to a shooting range with targets made from a photo of Bin Laden. The range master wouldn’t allow use to use them, although I doubt there was any law against it. [/QUOTE] Many ranges do not allow the use of human shaped or appearing targets just on general principle. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/6 "2008-04-27T17:12:19Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] Many ranges do not allow the use of human shaped or appearing targets just on general principle. [/QUOTE] I can understand why a range might be reluctant to allow targets that portrayed an actual person. But not allowing [human](http://www.oknapc.org/USNA%20Rifle-Pistol%20Medals%20and%20ribbons/usna_r1.gif) [shaped](http://gun-nut.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/target-5_web.jpg)[targets?](http://anomalycentral.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/target.jpg) That I’ve never encountered anywhere. How is a person supposed to practiced with a pistol he/she has for self-defense without a proper frame of reference? Just a [round target](http://www.theshootersbox.com/store/images/targets/targets_B-2.jpg) doesn’t always cut it. Every range I’ve ever been to sold [human](http://www.armedforces-int.com/images/companies/550/sykes1.jpg)[shaped](http://www3.sympatico.ca/milcun/gttarget.jpg) [targets](http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m210/billandsusan_2006/target1-1.jpg) for use on their range. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/7 "2008-04-27T18:23:26Z")
[QUOTE=pkbites] I can understand why a range might be reluctant to allow targets that portrayed an actual person. But not allowing [human](http://www.oknapc.org/USNA%20Rifle-Pistol%20Medals%20and%20ribbons/usna_r1.gif) [shaped](http://gun-nut.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/target-5_web.jpg)[targets?](http://anomalycentral.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/target.jpg) That I’ve never encountered anywhere. [/QUOTE] I’ve seen it before at least twice. Both times were at large outdoor public ranges; one was at a metropark in southeast Michigan, and another was somewhere in Ohio. So it does happen. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/8 "2008-04-27T18:44:40Z")
[QUOTE=lazybratsche] I’ve seen it before at least twice. Both times were at large outdoor public ranges; one was at a metropark in southeast Michigan, and another was somewhere in Ohio. So it does happen. [/QUOTE] Even the generic black silhouettes? That’s just dumb. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/9 "2008-04-27T22:49:12Z")
[QUOTE=pkbites] I can understand why a range might be reluctant to allow targets that portrayed an actual person. But not allowing [human](http://www.oknapc.org/USNA%20Rifle-Pistol%20Medals%20and%20ribbons/usna_r1.gif) [shaped](http://gun-nut.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/target-5_web.jpg)[targets?](http://anomalycentral.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/target.jpg) That I’ve never encountered anywhere. How is a person supposed to practiced with a pistol he/she has for self-defense without a proper frame of reference? Just a [round target](http://www.theshootersbox.com/store/images/targets/targets_B-2.jpg) doesn’t always cut it. Every range I’ve ever been to sold [human](http://www.armedforces-int.com/images/companies/550/sykes1.jpg)[shaped](http://www3.sympatico.ca/milcun/gttarget.jpg) [targets](http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m210/billandsusan_2006/target1-1.jpg) for use on their range. [/QUOTE] Anheuser Busch sponsors a decent sized nature/wildlife preserve in St. Charles county, MO, including a pretty impressive shooting range. They do not allow man-silhouette targets; ostensibly, they are about hunting and sports shooting, not the “other kind.” ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/10 "2008-04-28T04:08:24Z")
[QUOTE=pkbites] I can understand why a range might be reluctant to allow targets that portrayed an actual person. But not allowing [human](http://www.oknapc.org/USNA%20Rifle-Pistol%20Medals%20and%20ribbons/usna_r1.gif) [shaped](http://gun-nut.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/target-5_web.jpg)[targets?](http://anomalycentral.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/target.jpg) That I’ve never encountered anywhere. How is a person supposed to practiced with a pistol he/she has for self-defense without a proper frame of reference? Just a [round target](http://www.theshootersbox.com/store/images/targets/targets_B-2.jpg) doesn’t always cut it. Every range I’ve ever been to sold [human](http://www.armedforces-int.com/images/companies/550/sykes1.jpg)[shaped](http://www3.sympatico.ca/milcun/gttarget.jpg) [targets](http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m210/billandsusan_2006/target1-1.jpg) for use on their range. [/QUOTE] I’ve encountered it at a local gun club. It’s a question of political correctness and appeasing certain government officials that don’t like guns and have the power to close the range. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/11 "2008-04-28T04:19:43Z")
I am really hoping someone can actually answer my OP. (That comes off as snarky, I know, but I really don’t intend to.) ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/12 "2008-04-28T04:27:17Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] I am really hoping someone can actually answer my OP. (That comes off as snarky, I know, but I really don’t intend to.) [/QUOTE] I can’t think of any law that it would violate. That doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t get harassed about it. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/13 "2008-04-28T04:40:36Z")
I once bought a dart board with then President Charles de Gaulle’s picture on it. I don’t suppose that counts. IANAL. I can’t imagine any federal laws against shooting a photograph. That doesn’t mean that some local law enforcement officer won’t give you trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/14 "2008-04-28T12:12:44Z")
It may get you locked up under their national security laws for suspected terrorism. In which case they won’t admit to having imprisoned you or even that they considered imprisoning you. Police and judge inquires will get the same response you spouse would. Nothing. So you won’t get charged in the court system, but shooting the pictures may get you disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/15 "2008-04-28T13:22:14Z")
[QUOTE=pkbites] Just a [round target](http://www.theshootersbox.com/store/images/targets/targets_B-2.jpg) doesn’t always cut it. [/QUOTE] If you place one target at around chest height and the other around head height you can do a reasonable approximation of a vital area target, but I know that the two ranges that I shoot at the majority of the time have it posted as a range rule. No people looking targets, period. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/16 "2008-04-28T13:57:23Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] If you set up a photo of the president’s face and used it as a target to shoot at, throw darts at, launch arrows at, etc, could you be charged with anything? What about a photo of a senator, governor or some other political figure? Or would this be protected by the first amendment? [/QUOTE] If you look [in here](http://www.dartboard411.net/shop.php) you’ll find dart boards for sale featuring various prominent persons depicted on the front. The current president is one of the options available. Not only that, the previous incumbent of the White House can also be had. And his wife, but you’ve got to buy them as a package. Unless I went for a custom board I’d probably go for Paris Hilton though. That statement should not be construed as a wish or intent to injure Paris Hilton very much in any way whatsoever. Others may consider that Britney Spears would be a more appropriate target considering it’s a dart board we’re talking about, but I guess tastes are going to vary. The site gives an address and a phone number. I am not a lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![lalenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@lalenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalenin)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/17 "2008-04-28T14:22:45Z")
[QUOTE=Bergomum] Can’t imagine why it shouldn’t be your right to do this. It would be quite an oppressive regime that deems it necessary to enforce patriotism on its subjects by exalting representative idols into sanctity. (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. Or Joseph Stalin, Kim Jong-il, Mao Zedong, Saddam Hussein, or any other of those big-portrait guys whose desecration would’ve get you executed…) Of course, if instead of saying “Look, I’m making a political statement!” you declare “Look, I’m going to kill this guy! I’m practicing for an actual murder!” then you might have a problem. [/QUOTE] In Cuba using a photo of Fidel, and I guess now Raul Castro, would get you between 3-5 years for “desacato oficial”, and “desacato a la figura del comandante en jefe”, translated “oficial disrespect” and “disrespect of the figure of the commander in chief”. These are actual crimes in the Cuban criminal code. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-use-a-picture-of-the-president-for-target-practice/447065/18 "2008-04-28T15:25:33Z")
I wouldn’t do it myself. It’s just really bad taste.