Public Bridal Way - Shooting law???

[SCOTTK]

Just got 400 acres of crop and woods, shooting land:D:D:D:D

Its been a while and door knocking proved to be the answer for anyone who wants to know.

However, a couple of questions I was hoping you could help with:

The land has a number of Bridle Ways though it, what is the legal position for both air rifle and shotguns near this;

Do I have to have my rifle in a case for example if i pass it?

Can i shoot the air rifle close to this (away obviously) or do i have to give it 50ft/yards etc?

thanks, help is appreciated.

Scott

[Gary C]

You can shoot within 50 feet as long as itcauses no distress or hinderance to passers by - so use common sense and you will be fine. It doesn't matter if they are 50 ft or 500ft let them go past when you are shooting if you can. Best be discrete.

The landowner owns the land, just the public have access, so I do not believe you need to case your gun if crossing but again use common sense. This last point is not clear in my mind so I wait to be corrected if wrong

[Raygun]

Doesn't this come under the "Highways Act", and in that case Bridal ways are not included. It's vehicular access only.

I also understand there is now no longer any requirement to have your rifle cased. It did apply to juniors but that requirement has been removed by the VCR Act increasing the age requirement to 18. As an adult you do not have to have your rifle "cased" in a public place. Maybe unwise but not illegal.

As Gary says the answer really is to use common sense. Better to be safe than end up with a pile of grief, even if your right.

ATB
Ray.

[HandyAndy]

You said it is a Bridleway?

Please look at the following I have added below, copied and pasted as I got it......... Any serving officers on here, could you look out your training manuals and confirm please............

"The Highways Act 1980, s 161 provides that a person is guilty of an offence if, without lawful authority or excuse, he discharges any firearm within 50 feet from the centre of any highway which consists of or comprises a carriageway, and in consequence thereof a user of the highway is injured, interrupted or endangered. It is important to remember that the discharge is not prohibited in itself. It must also be proved that an injury to someone, or that someone’s passage was interrupted or interfered with (for example being forced to make a detour) or that someone was endangered, i.e., put in danger of injury. ‘Highway’ for the purposes of this section is restricted to a public right of way for the passage of vehicles; consequently it does not include footpaths, cycle tracks, bridleways, or cattle tracks.

[Crabfat]

I think you mean Bridleway not Bridalway ;) But if you do mean Bridalway, mind out for the groom, he's the one pasting a target on the back of the bride's mother!:D

[TERRYT]

As has been said,bridleways do not come under the highways act,they are by concent of the landowner,access to the public,for horse riding,walkers,some allow cycling,ramblers,ect,ect, but as a responsible shooter,this alone tells you
to keep as far away as is possible,as for shotguns,imagine letting off a shot
without you knowing there is a horse rider close by,you may not have broken the law,but you could have broken a lot of bones,common sence must rule,
as shooters we have to carry all the responsibility of our actions,when out
in the field,we all tread thin ice,and we are not popular with any of the
above mentioned groups of people,because we have a rifle they will naturaly
feel edgy,they do not know us,therefore they may feel threatened by our
presence,while your out on your shoot try and note how many people use
the bridleway,how often,and what times its buisiest,like a sunday for
instance,its all part of knowing your shoot,and should come second nature
along with rifle safety.
GOOD HUNTING ATVB TERRY.;);)

[systemaddict]

"they are by concent of the landowner,access to the public,for horse riding,walkers,some allow cycling,ramblers,ect,ect,"

I think not. A bridleway is a highway over which there is a right to ride a horse, donkey etc. A highway is any piece of land over which any member of the public has a right to pass or repass. Bicycles may be ridden on any bridleway by virtue of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1968. Consent of the landowner is irrelevant, in fact, if a landowner obstructs a right of way, he is committing an offence.

SysA
(not a lawyer but a sometime cycling activist)

[SCOTTK]

Thanks for this guys.

My 50ft question related to Airguns only. I wouldn’t be letting a shotgun off within 50ft:rolleyes:;)
I would let anyone pass before shooting and would have my back to the bridle way, its just if someone sneaks upo on me and i dont hear them, which would be difficult but you never know


From the replies, it seems there is a bit of general confusion here, hence my post. I would be using the bridleway to cross between shooting land, and would prefer obviously not to case my air rifle, but did not want to commit an offence. The bridleway is used by dog walkers only, not very many at that.

Still not sure, it looks like I am ok?

Any further views?

thanks

Scott

[SCOTTK]

I think you mean Bridleway not Bridalway ;) But if you do mean Bridalway, mind out for the groom, he's the one pasting a target on the back of the bride's mother!:D

Quality!!!:D:D:D