According to Webley the Alecto has a maximum muzzle energy of 5.8 ft/lbs meaning as little as an extra 10 fps with a 7.5 grain pellet is enough to put the pistol into the same category as a prohibited handgun.

Adding an extra 3.5 inches of barrel will increase muzzle velocity because the compressed air has more time to act upon the pellet (the physics are different for a spring-piston).

10 fps isn’t much to play with. Some owners will always be responsible with modifications, others won’t give a stuff and may even want a more powaful pistol.

With a Home Affairs select committee deciding the future of airgun legislation - including representation from the GCN who no doubt monitor this forum - now is the time for that little bit extra collective responsibility I think.