New airgun laws come into force on 20th January

8th January 2004………………………….…………… …………….immediate release.



New laws which will affect airgun ownership and use by young people will come into force as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act on the 20th January.

Christopher Graffius, BASC Director of Communications said “These changes will not stop live-quarry shooting with airguns. Despite considerable campaigning opposition, BASC, with the support of MPs from all parties, was able to persuade the Government that bringing in a full ban or licensing system for airguns was unnecessary and unworkable.”

“Young people will continue to be able to shoot unsupervised on private land, where they have permission. The vast majority of young airgunners are responsible, safe and law-abiding.”

“An amendment to allow young people to continue to carry airguns to and from the places where they shoot was supported by BASC. It received all-party backing but was defeated by just three votes. This was a disappointment, and we do not believe this measure will contribute anything to efforts to reduce airgun crime.”

The main changes to the law regarding airguns will:

 Make it an offence for people aged 14-17 to carry an airgun or airgun ammunition in a public place, even if it is in a secure cover.
 Make it an offence to possess an airgun in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
 Make it an offence for an unsupervised person aged between 14 and 17 to fire airgun pellets beyond the boundaries of private land on which they have permission to shoot.
 Make it an offence to be in possession of an imitation firearm in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
 Owners of pistols or rifles, powered by a self-contained gas cartridge system, will have three months to apply for a firearm certificate if they wish to keep their guns. They will not have to demonstrate “good reason” for ownership, as is the case with other firearm certificate applications. The new law does not ban airguns which use capsules of compressed carbon dioxide.


BASC members who require detailed advice about any of these issues should contact the BASC firearms department on 01244 573010.

ENDS.