Reply With QuoteAs long as the pellets stay within his boundaries - it's legal.
Paul.
Picture the scene pilgrim (so the saying goes).
Up a ladder painting window at the back of the house, when the maniac behind my garden lets his kids loose with something like a pellet or bb gun (not sure which).
His garden is huge (to say the least), but it is surrounded by a lot of us lesser mortals who only own small (read miniscule) gardens.
I don't mind anyone having a bit of learning experience in the right areas ... but ... is this the right area to be having a go in ??
Is it legal.
I am sure that this has been asked before, and am sure that someone will supply a link to the legal side of this, before I get the hump, or something goes drastically wrong.
Many thanks,
Colin <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_mad.gif" alt="Mad" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:--> <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_frown.gif" alt="Frown" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:
--> <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_mad.gif" alt="Mad" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:
As long as the pellets stay within his boundaries - it's legal.
Paul.
But you can hear bits winging their way all around (Mind you, you can't see the bits !!)
Most of the houses surrounding this "Large garden" have children.
I know that common sense dictates the normal rules, but are there any on paper ??
Colin
<img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_confused.gif" alt="Confused" width="15" height="22"><!--graemlin:-->
I know that there is something written down that states you must be at least 50 yards (or is it meters) away from a public highway ...... if thats any help!
51ft from a public rd. and no pellets must leave your property. How old are the kids, an adult must supervise youths with airguns/pistols and its illegal for under 14s to use them even if supervised.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bigfoxy:
I know that there is something written down that states you must be at least 50 yards (or is it meters) away from a public highway ...... if thats any help![/quote]
It's 50 feet from the centre of a public highway, but it's only an offence if you cause distress or nuisance to people using the highway.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by neill:
51ft from a public rd. and no pellets must leave your property. How old are the kids, an adult must supervise youths with airguns/pistols and its illegal for under 14s to use them even if supervised.[/quote]
Under 14's can shoot, but only when supervised by someone over 21. Over 14's can, and still will be able to, even with the anti social behaviour bill being passed, be able to shoot unsupervised.
Brad
i stand corrected.
Im assuming that by the fact you use this forum that you yourself shoot.
Why noy make friends with the guy. Offer to teach the kids how to shoot.
That way you can makesure everything is safe in a way which will not cause agro with the nieghbours, and also get to enjoy using a large garden which it seems to me that you begrudge him the most.
Lee
Thinking aloud, I think Dubworld's advice makes sense.
Re the 'shooting in the garden' law, If it can be established that it is being done in such a manner as to create a 'nuisance' even if the pellet does not leave his property, an offence in law has been committed, at least if the gun in question is an airgun. If it is an airsoft gun (commonly though mistakenly referred to in the tabloids as a 'high powered ball bearing gun' then in fact the power level is so low (under 1 joule) that the thing is classed as a toy and there ain't no law against kids firing toy guns in their gardens! Could be he could get shot by the local Armed Response Team if it looks real enough but that seems like a pretty severe sentence for a kid for playing with a toy gun! Seriously, talk to the guy and you might be surprised how easy it is tyo work something out, approach him with the 'you moron' attitude and yourlikely to be told where to go!
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dubworld:
Im assuming that by the fact you use this forum that you yourself shoot.
Lee[/quote]
Just because there's over 6000 members what makes you think they all shoot Lee? <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:--> <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:
Now where'd i put my coat? <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt="Roll Eyes" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:--> <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:
Keep an eye out for any pellets in your/neighbours property, If you can find any. take them to the father and point out that there is a £1000 fine for the pells leaving his boundry.
The Law:
There are some legal requirements to owning and using an airgun in the UK. They are there to ensure safety and most of them are fairly obvious.
For details of the legislation in countries other than the UK please contact your local shooting association or police force.
Airguns do not require a licence unless they are over the UK legal limit of 12ft.lbs muzzle energy for rifles and 6 ft.lbs muzzle energy for pistols. Providing you are within the age requirements for ownership listed below almost anybody can own one.
Owning and using an airgun:
Young people under 14.
If you are under 14 years old you cannot buy, hire, be given or own an airgun or airgun ammunition. You can however use an airgun if: you are supervised by someone over 21; and you do not shoot beyond the boundaries of where you are using it; or you are a member of an approved club and you are using it for target practice at that club; or you are using an airgun at a shooting gallery for airguns or miniature rifles.
Young people between 14 and 17.
If you are between 14 and 17 years old, you can be given or lent an airgun or ammunition but you cannot buy or hire them yourself.
You can however:
carry an air rifle (but not an air pistol) in a public place as long as it is covered with a securely fastened gun cover that prevents it from being fired; member of that club; and use an airgun at a gallery for airguns and miniature rifles.
It is illegal to:
Carry a loaded airgun in a public place. Trespass in a building or on private land with an airgun whether it is loaded or whether or not you have ammunition.
Possess or use an airgun if you have been sentenced to three months or more in custody.
If the sentence was up to three years you are banned from using or owning any airgun or firearm for a period of five years from the date of release. If the sentence was over three years you are banned for life.
Kill or injure any bird or animal protected by law unless you are authorised to do so under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.
Gun Law
Gun law is complex. Be sure to check the law before you take any action. The following are guidelines and advice only and do not specifically state the law.
These paragraphs refer mostly to guns used in unauthorised situations, and do not generally apply to guns used, for example for sporting purposes, by persons authorised by the landowner.
Guns are often encountered by countryside professionals, and are frequently used legally and effectively without problem. Occasionally a landowner will encounter someone using or carrying a weapon which is not authorised. In a public place, such as a country park, this can call for sensitive, quick, action. A good knowledge of the law can help the countryside professional in such cases. The following is derived partly from guidelines produced for staff at an urban country park where unauthorised shooting was a problem.
The law may be thought to be a little complicated but it is designed to make sure that guns can be properly used by people without danger to anyone else, or the environment. Obeying the law will not prevent anyone from enjoying responsible gun ownership, and safe use of the countryside. Countryside professionals are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with these laws if they are likely to be encountering those abusing them - gun users are often very familiar with the law.
Air Weapons
(Adapted from a leaflet entitled AIRGUN LAW published by the Shooting Sports Trust Ltd.)
Airguns in Public Places
It is against the law for anyone to have a loaded airgun in a public place unless they have some proper reason for doing so - for example, it has just been confiscated from an offender. An airgun is loaded if there is a pellet, dart or anything else in the gun whether it is cocked or not. A public place is anywhere where the public are allowed to go, regardless of who owns the land, and even though they may have to pay. Roads, streets, footpaths, canal towpaths, public parks, play areas are all examples of public places. If the general public have some sort of right or permission to be in a particular place, that is a public place and you are not allowed to have a loaded airgun in that place.
Airguns and Young People
These restrictions apply to young people. Two age groups are involved, those between 14 and 17 years and those under 14 years.
Persons Aged 14 to 17 years
In this age group you may not buy or hire an airgun but you can borrow one or receive it as a gift from a person over 17 years. If you are under 17 years, your airgun and ammunition must be bought for you by someone over 17 and this should generally be your parents or guardians.
In this age group you can use an airgun on private property where you have a right to be, without supervision. With two exceptions you may not have an airgun in a public place. The exceptions are:
Using an airgun at a rifle range or in connection with a rifle club or shooting gallery.
In this age group you may carry an unloaded airgun or air rifle (but not an air pistol) in a public place if, and only if, it is in a securely fastened gun cover so that it cannot be fired. You should pay special attention to the fact that there are no circumstances where a person under 17 years can have an air pistol in public except in connection with a rifle range or shooting gallery.
Persons under 14 years
If you are under 14 years the restrictions on using an airgun are very strict indeed. All those restrictions which apply to adults and people in the 14 to 17 age group apply to you and there are more. You may not buy or hire an airgun or ammunition and may not even accept an airgun as a gift. If anyone gives or sells an airgun or ammunition to a person under 14 years he commits an offence. Parents who wish to buy an airgun for a person under 14 years must keep control of it at all times and must not allow the child to be in complete control, though he can be allowed to use it under supervision. If you are under 14 years you can have an airgun and ammunition temporarily in your possession only in two special situations :
In connection with your membership of an approved rifle club or cadet corps or when at a shooting gallery.
You can have the airgun temporarily, and you can use it when you are on private premises where you have a right to be provided you are under the supervision of a person who is over 21 years old. If a pellet goes outside these premises on to someone else's property, both the child and the adult may be taken to court. You can also carry an airgun or air rifle (but not an air pistol) in a public place if it is in a securely fastened gun cover and you are supervised by someone over 21 years.
For all practical purposes a person under the age of 14 years must be supervised by someone over the age of 21 years at all times when he has an airgun in his possession, even within his own home.
Highways
It is an offence to fire any weapon within 50 feet of the centre of any roadway, if by doing so you cause a nuisance. This offence could be committed by someone on private property close to a road who used a gun in a way which upset people on the road.
Protection of Birds
Most birds are completely protected by law. It is sometimes thought that those birds which are often called vermin can be killed at any time by anyone. That is not so. Birds which are regarded as pests (magpies, sparrows, starlings, etc.) may only be killed by what the law calls an 'authorised person', that is the person who owns the land or who has permission to shoot pests. A trespasser or a person who shoots at such a bird in a public place will commit offences against the Firearms Act for having a gun and also against the law on the protection of birds by killing, or even trying to kill, a wild bird when he is not an authorised person.
Firearms
Any gun is a serious matter. It is normally an offence to have any firearm in a public place, unless safely covered. Even if it is safely stowed any firearm other than an airgun, unless obviously for an innocent purpose, could reasonably be reported to the police by a ranger. Anyone firing any weapon on or over a piece of land without the permission of the landowner is probably guilty of an offence, and should certainly be reported to the police.
Any unauthorised non-airgun should definitely be dealt with by the police. Weapons such as crossbows, bow and arrow, or even large catapults can be just as dangerous. If a person is behaving dangerously with any weapon, or seems likely to, call the police and tell them there is an armed person in a public place - they will be quick to help you deal with the situation.
In any case of doubt about any weapon:
Do not approach the gun user
PROTECTION
All wild birds, their nests and their eggs are protected by law. The level of this protection depends on whether the bird is rare or endangered (these are shown on Schedule 1 of the WCA) but even very common birds such as robins and blackbirds are protected. Some birds can be shot for sport but only at certain times of the year. Other birds may be killed because they are pests (for example, magpies or crows) but this can only be done under certain conditions by authorised persons - see definition above.
Part II
Birds which may be killed or taken by authorised persons:
This section has been replaced by General Licences with the same effect:
Crow (Carrion) Rook, Magpie, Jackdaw , Jay
Dove (Collared) Pigeon (Feral) Wood Pigeon
Gull (Great Black-Backed) Gull (Herring) Gull (Lesser Black-Backed )
Sparrow (House), Starling.
chaz
Hi,
There are laws for just about everything that is enjoyable, kids these days cant have any fun without someone quoting the law. Go round and say, Hi I am a shooter would you like me to train your children to shoot, and in safety.
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