Page 89 here https://www.25bedfordrow.com/cms/doc...son_090715.pdf
I dont have time to read it so some one here may want to read and give the relevant reply on what it covers .
Page 89 here https://www.25bedfordrow.com/cms/doc...son_090715.pdf
I dont have time to read it so some one here may want to read and give the relevant reply on what it covers .
It doesn't cover the definition of a pistol unfortunately. There isn't one in law, it would therefore fall upon what a reasonable person would decide is a pistol.
There's a legal argument detailed about if a pistol over 6 ft-lb is section 5 but it then falls back on an air pistol being called an air pistol without defining that unless it's a section 5...
Last edited by RobF; 03-08-2020 at 09:41 AM.
It mentions lots of things but not what defines air pistols from rifles.
The reason I state 600mm overall OR a 300mm barrel is because that seems to be how manufactures define it.
Some examples;
The Skan mini m-32 is both over 600mm & has a barrel over 300mm,
FX Verminator (mk1) has a barrel only 210mm but the overall length is over 600mm.
HW100 bullpup is only 560mm overall (silencer removed) but the barrel is 310mm.
Hatsan AT-P2 with the stock removed is both under 600mm overall & has a sub300mm barrel it is therefore a 6fpe pistol
As for people stating "I fitted X to Y which would make it illegal"
Yes it might well do
Last edited by angrybear; 03-08-2020 at 10:24 AM.
I asked a policeman years ago and he just said he would use common sense.
Can it be fired easily at arms length?
Yes, then its a pistol.
Do not know how well that would stand up in court.
Master Debater
I'm pretty sure the 300mm barrel length doesn't apply for airguns.
I think the 600mm length does apply to guns with a folding stock.
But to be honest it's not really that difficult is it?... If it has a shoulder fitted then it's a rifle, if it doesn't have one it's a rifle.
Clearly the 300/600 does not apply to sub 6/12 airguns ('cos lots of air rifles fall short of the 300/600 rule) and it appears that the law does not define "pistol" or "rifle" so it will come down to what a judge/jury might decide. There are probably not very many airguns where it is difficult to tell the difference. Designed to be used one handed = pistol. Designed to be fired from the shoulder = rifle. If there are any airguns where this is not obvious then it would probably fall to the manufacturer's description as a guide. The lack of clarity on this matter strongly suggests that it has not been an issue in the past.
It would be possible to fit a shoulder stock to a (former) pistol. My expectation would be that if this is easily removable then it remains a pistol, but if it is necessary to remove screws to get it off then it has been converted to a rifle. And vice versa.
True freedom includes the freedom to make mistakes or do foolish things and bear the consequences.
TANSTAAFL
Well I've just written an email to the Home Office to ask
A friend on here gave me this some years ago- Pistol or rifle?
John
for my gunz guitarz and bonzai, see here
www.flickr.com/photos/8163995@N07/
Dictionary definitions.
Rifle, a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore.Pistol, a small firearm designed to be held in one hand.
Master Debater
Last edited by johnbaz; 03-08-2020 at 12:56 PM. Reason: cuz eye karnt spel proply ennit!!
for my gunz guitarz and bonzai, see here
www.flickr.com/photos/8163995@N07/
The barrel is 12" on a skan r32 ultra but the length is short of the 600mm you state. Overall length without mod iz 21.5" 600mm=23.5" i know as i own a r32. Though mine is the ultra model which is the shorter one. The longer barreled ones are over 600mm on length.this does not apply to legal power air rifles though
Last edited by WILBA; 03-08-2020 at 02:09 PM.