Originally Posted by
villaman
This is what i have found
UK AIR GUN LAW
This section reflects the law as of June 2005 and is for general information only and
relates to non FAC airguns only. Any air gun that falls into the FAC category is
subject to the full effect of the Firearms act 1968 and is not within the scope of this
document. Replica guns are also not in the scope of this document. The law is
always subject to change and modification and this website may not reflect changes
to legislation.
SBFTC accept no responsibility whatsoever for any non compliance on the
part of any individual or party to prevailing law relating to air guns. Any
references stated or implied within this web site are intended to be used as an
indication of the general requirements of the law as at June 2005 and we can
not guarantee that content is current, complete or error free. It is entirely your
own responsibility to ensure you are conversant and compliant with current
law. All offences committed with air rifles are treated as a 'firearms offences'
which carry significant sentences under UK law.
Please note that Northern Ireland has additional restrictions relating to both air guns
and ammunition and requires a licence to be held regardless of power output.
Taking, or sending guns or even pellets to Northern Ireland is likely to result in
prosecution.
Air guns are also subject to different laws in Europe so do not assume you can take
an air weapon to mainland Europe without restriction or that UK law is transferable.
Be aware that there are also restrictions relating to the carrying of compressed air by
air, sea or channel tunnel.
There are additional restrictions relating to shooting of live quarry. Some species are
on an open licence and others are not. Do not assume that you are entitled to shoot
anything if you are either on your own property, or have written permission to shoot
from the landowner. The BASC website gives information regarding this, but be
aware that the species listed do change occasionally. Under no circumstances
shoot songbirds (i.e. sparrows, blue tits, blackbirds, thrush or robins etc) as this is
illegal and serves no purpose at all. No quarry may be shot whilst at SBFTC
grounds regardless of status. Note that it is also an offence to shoot domestic pets,
even if they are feral.
Third Party Insurance
Although not a legal requirement, it is strongly recommended that you take out your
own insurance. SBFTC has insurance that covers you at our range and if competing
in a BFTA competition, but if you shoot at any other location (including your own
land) you will not be covered. Both the BASC and NSRA can provide specific third
party insurance cover for air guns as can some other insurers for about £50 per year.
Firearms Acts 1968 and the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2004
Air Rifles and Young Persons
17 years and over
You may buy, borrow or hire an air rifle and its ammunition and may use it where you
have permission to do so.
Note that you need to be over 21 to supervise anyone under the age of 17. A
potential problem is a 20 year old driving their 16 year old brother along with their
rifles to a club. Both are committing an offence. Supervision is not only whilst
shooting at a club, but at any time in a public place which includes a motor vehicle.
Aged 14 – 17 years
You may not buy or hire an air rifle or ammunition. You may not receive an air rifle or
ammunition as a gift but you may borrow one. If you are under 17 then your air rifle
and ammunition must be bought for you by someone over 17 – normally your parent,
guardian or some other responsible adult.
If you are aged between 14 – 17 years you may use an air rifle on private premises
without supervision with the consent of the occupier – normally the owner or tenant.
If a pellet leaves the premises whilst you are shooting then both you and the person
supervising you commit a criminal offence.
You may not carry an air rifle in a public place unless you are supervised by a
person of 21 years or over and you have a reasonable excuse to do so, for example,
whilst on the way to a club or land where you have permission to shoot. If carrying
an air weapon in a public place it must completely covered in a gun case or gun bag.
Young people under 14 years
If you are under 14 you may not buy, hire or receive an air rifle or its ammunition as
a gift.
You may not carry an air weapon in a public place.
You may borrow an air rifle and use it under supervision on private premises with
permission from the occupier – normally the owner or tenant. The person who
supervises you must be of or over 21 years of age.
If a pellet leaves the premises whilst you are shooting then both you and the person
supervising you commit a criminal offence.
Parents or guardians who buy an air rifle for use by an under 14 year old must
exercise control over it at all time even in the home, garden or gun club.
Public Places
A public place is anywhere where the public are allowed to go even though they may
have to pay to be there. Roads, streets, footpaths, public parks, play areas and canal
towpaths are all examples of public places.
It is an offence for anyone to have an air rifle – whether it is loaded or not – in a
public place unless they have a reasonable excuse for doing so, for example, whilst
on the way to a gun shop or to a shooting club, however, you are expected to take a
direct route.
Note that under the Firearms Act 1968 your car constitutes a public place, so even if
your airgun is locked out of sight in the boot, it is in a public place and you must have
reasonable excuse.
Trespass
It is against the law to trespass on any land (including land covered by water) or in
any building, while you have an air rifle with you. Whether the gun is loaded and
whether or not you have pellets with you is irrelevant. If you go onto land without
permission, you are trespassing, unless there is some right of access for the public.
If there is a right of access for the public the restrictions set out above will apply.
Trespass with an air rifle is 'armed trespass', a criminal offence, the penalties for
which can be severe.
As well as the offences already mentioned, it is against the law, in England and
Wales, to fire an air rifle within 50 feet of the centre of a highway, if by doing so you
cause any member of the public, using that right of way, to be injured, interrupted or
endangered. This offence could be committed, for example, by someone on private
property close to a road who uses an air rifle in a way which endangers people on
the road.
Magazines
Many air guns have multishot magazines. The Firearms Act 1968 states that if you
have a magazine fitted to your airgun it is deemed to be loaded irrespective of
whether the magazine contains ammunition or not. Additionally, if a magazine
contains any ammunition (one pellet or more) the gun is deemed to be loaded even if
the magazine is not fitted to the gun. Never have in your possession a magazine
that is even partially loaded when not on your own property, a recognised club or
land where you have permission to shoot and never transport your air gun with an
empty magazine fitted. Despite the fact that there may be several feet between the
magazine and your air gun, it is still deemed to be loaded as in law the magazine is
considered to be part of the gun and you will face prosecution. There no defence in
law to this charge.