Would you give up airguns if a licence was brought in

[Barryg]

I was surprised by the crossbow thing and has made me feel more insecure about buying any more airguns as we don't know what government will be in by the end of the year.

From my young years I have shot rifles and shotguns at clubs then give them up and about ten years later got the airgun bug because of the simplicity of owning for safe fun, but if a licence was brought in, I think that would give them up it just wouldn't be the same

I have burying me head in the sand for a while about this and I guess some of you guys have as well so I don't expect much response but I would apricate any reassuring comments or opinions. Sorry for a depressing post but nice airguns are not cheap

[macbut999]

I need a license for mine anyway

[Big Seth]

I gave up airguns for several years when licensing was introduced in Scotland. I've never really been interested in firearms or shotguns.
It was the accessibility of airguns that allowed me to pursue my intererest. From age 11years I was rarely to be seen without an air rifle or pistol. Since retiring from work I've obtained an AWC but times have changed and I am more restricted in where I can shoot.

[DEAN C.]

I have shot air rifles since I was about 8 years old, I am 60 in a few weeks.
I compete in HFT and have hunted and shot all my life with Air rifles and shotguns, but Air rifles are my real passion.
I wouldn't hesitate if we needed a licence, but I have held an SGC since I was 19 so it probably isn't such a big deal for me.

When I see some of the idiots knocking about with airguns, it often makes me think it might not be a bad thing, but the restrictions have now have already sifted a lot of chaff out.
I live in a very rural location down a long quiet unsurfaced lane, and we occasionally get a car full of idiots with an air rifle out of the window drive past, shooting anything that moves.

[Segata]

I wouldn't worry as anything like that would take a long time to implement if it happened to at all.
As to giving up, I won't want to but if its like a FAC I won't pass on Mental health atleast for the time being, but being again it'd take years to implement if it did even happen I might be well enough by then so who knows.

[Powderfinger]

Licensing would kill off most of the trade and what is left of manufacturing.

[TonyL]

I have been into airguns from pre-teens and love them to bits. They're my life and the main thing that keep me sane. Licensing wouldn't diminish my love for them, if it were to be implemented. I would imagine that the vast majority of current enthusiasts would get a licence and stay with the hobby they love.

However, I do feel that the future of our sport / hobby would suffer if licensing came about. One of the attractions at the moment for newcomers is the ease of accessibility. Licensing would create a barrier for many that they might not wish to negotiate.

Existing laws and rules are tough enough. Harsher rules would just adversely affect the law-abiding whilst the scrotes and criminal element will always obtain whatever they want with no regard to any laws.

[4end]

50 or so years ago there was a licence available from the Post Office that covered both airguns and shotguns. It was revoked when the Shotgun Certificate was introduced around 1971 and air rifles became unlicenced. It cost 10/ or 50p and I remember buying one in 1963 on my 14th birthday when it was legal for me to posess an air rifle and later a shotgun.
It was something anyone could buy as there was no formal application or vetting and was no more than a means to collect revenue. In the present climate can you imagine the Police trying to administer a licence system with the many tens of thousands of airguns distributed throughout the country and a backlog of initial applications clogging up the system. It was revoked because it was pretty much useless and I cannot see the Government reintroducing it as the original was a failure and given the amount of admin it would cause the Police who would probably vetoe it to become like the Fox Hunting laws that are not enforced.

[Barryg]

50 or so years ago there was a licence available from the Post Office that covered both airguns and shotguns. It was revoked when the Shotgun Certificate was introduced around 1971 and air rifles became unlicenced. It cost 10/ or 50p and I remember buying one in 1963 on my 14th birthday when it was legal for me to posess an air rifle and later a shotgun.
It was something anyone could buy as there was no formal application or vetting and was no more than a means to collect revenue. In the present climate can you imagine the Police trying to administer a licence system with the many tens of thousands of airguns distributed throughout the country and a backlog of initial applications clogging up the system. It was revoked because it was pretty much useless and I cannot see the Government reintroducing it as the original was a failure and given the amount of admin it would cause the Police who would probably vetoe it to become like the Fox Hunting laws that are not enforced.

If an airgun licence was like the one from the 1963, I wouldn't hesitate getting one just thought that I would post a pic of my mates one for the younger members who have not seen one


I understand what some of you are saying about the backlog we already have.
But if they are considering licencing crossbows with the complex task of separating them from some modern bows and no serial numbers it might be even more clogging of the system.
I also noticed that it made main stream TV this morning. Anyway, I am still watching to see how it goes with interest.