Latest re: Steyr LP50

[bighit]

Crack on then, keep poking
Good luck

I don't have one . so I don't need luck.

but I still rather know I'm on the right side of the law if I did have one.

do you have one? are your scared you might need to hand it in for destruction or to be deactivated?

I'm sure the OP would like to know what the official answer is also as would steyr UK.

[Brian.Samson]

I don't have one . so I don't need luck.

but I still rather know I'm on the right side of the law if I did have one.

do you have one? are your scared you might need to hand it in for destruction or to be deactivated?

I'm sure the OP would like to know what the official answer is also as would steyr UK.

This subject has been going on for a while now, I'll give you the abridged version of it.

In 1997 SA airguns weren't considered when they changed the law. By the time the law was passed the Home Office realised the mistake a wrote a circular which said it wasn't intentional to accidentally make SA airguns illegal, and they would address this at the earliest opportunity.

The HO and the CPS said they did not intend to prosecute anyone for having an SA airgun. Essentially, yes they are against the law, but the HO and CPS have said they don't intend to enforce that law because it was an oversight.

Everything was fine for 17 years - you could buy an SA airgun and use it, and no one batted an eyelid despite its less than certain legal status.

2 years ago the Steyr Hunter 5 semi-auto was released and people started to import them in from Europe as Steyr UK didn't stock them.

A few people asked Steyr UK to import them and Steyr UK sought clarification from the Gun Trade Association to make sure they were covered.

After a meeting between the HO and the GTA, the Home Office advised that the original guidance circular they issued in 1997 was meant to cover existing SA airguns, not to cover all future airguns. (I have a copy of that email somewhere)

And now we're in this situation where technically a SA airgun is still a Section 5 prohibited firearm, and because the issue has been pushed and pushed, the HO are in a position where it looks like they are considering reversing their guidance from 1997. If they do that, anyone with an SA airgun in their possession would be in deep do do.

I don't own an SA airgun, if I did I most certainly wouldn't be rocking any boats.

There's a bigger issue too, not just the SA issue, but more seriously the 'Capable' issue.

The 5 LP5's are not only being tested to see if they are classed as Self Loading, they are also being tested to determine if they are Capable of more than 6 fee. If it turns out that they are (because they don't have anti-tamper fitted) then that has very serious implications for all of us, not just those who own an SA airgun.

I'll be keeping my head down and hoping it all blows over.

[RichardH]

This subject has been going on for a while now, I'll give you the abridged version of it.

In 1997 SA airguns weren't considered when they changed the law. By the time the law was passed the Home Office realised the mistake a wrote a circular which said it wasn't intentional to accidentally make SA airguns illegal, and they would address this at the earliest opportunity.

The HO and the CPS said they did not intend to prosecute anyone for having an SA airgun. Essentially, yes they are against the law, but the HO and CPS have said they don't intend to enforce that law because it was an oversight.

Everything was fine for 17 years - you could buy an SA airgun and use it, and no one batted an eyelid despite its less than certain legal status.

2 years ago the Steyr Hunter 5 semi-auto was released and people started to import them in from Europe as Steyr UK didn't stock them.

A few people asked Steyr UK to import them and Steyr UK sought clarification from the Gun Trade Association to make sure they were covered.

After a meeting between the HO and the GTA, the Home Office advised that the original guidance circular they issued in 1997 was meant to cover existing SA airguns, not to cover all future airguns. (I have a copy of that email somewhere)

And now we're in this situation where technically a SA airgun is still a Section 5 prohibited firearm, and because the issue has been pushed and pushed, the HO are in a position where it looks like they are considering reversing their guidance from 1997. If they do that, anyone with an SA airgun in their possession would be in deep do do.

I don't own an SA airgun, if I did I most certainly wouldn't be rocking any boats.

There's a bigger issue too, not just the SA issue, but more seriously the 'Capable' issue.

The 5 LP5's are not only being tested to see if they are classed as Self Loading, they are also being tested to determine if they are Capable of more than 6 fee. If it turns out that they are (because they don't have anti-tamper fitted) then that has very serious implications for all of us, not just those who own an SA airgun.

I'll be keeping my head down and hoping it all blows over.

All precharged guns are capable always have been.

Thats what terrifies the industry.

[Brian.Samson]

All precharged guns are capable always have been.

Thats what terrifies the industry.

And that'll be another thing I won't be writing to the HO about

[gingernut]

Whilst accepting that the Hunting 5 was used to stir up the wasps nest I don't understand why the venom was directed at the little LP 5 pistol
It had been around for many years not causing any harm.

Mind you these days it might well be that the wrong gun was seized as it had 5 in the title.

[Brian.Samson]

Whilst accepting that the Hunting 5 was used to stir up the wasps nest I don't understand why the venom was directed at the little LP 5 pistol
It had been around for many years not causing any harm.

Mind you these days it might well be that the wrong gun was seized as it had 5 in the title.

My theory is.. remembering the long threads on the subject, that Steyr UK sought clarification on the Hunting 5 and were advised not to import them, then the people responsible for kicking the hornets nest in the first place protested to the powers that be that if the Steyr Hunting 5 was Section 5, so was the LP50 and Steyr UK had no problem importing those.

A bit more letter writing and kicking of nests and voila - now the powers that be are also looking into LP50's.

Moral of that story - when seeking clarification on a subject, it might not always go the way you want it to and sometimes it's better to leave well alone.

[eyebull]

All precharged guns are capable always have been.

Thats what terrifies the industry.

And, if we're being honest, most springers too.

[Jerry Cornelius]

This subject has been going on for a while now, I'll give you the abridged version of it.

In 1997 SA airguns weren't considered when they changed the law. By the time the law was passed the Home Office realised the mistake a wrote a circular which said it wasn't intentional to accidentally make SA airguns illegal, and they would address this at the earliest opportunity.

The HO and the CPS said they did not intend to prosecute anyone for having an SA airgun. Essentially, yes they are against the law, but the HO and CPS have said they don't intend to enforce that law because it was an oversight.

Everything was fine for 17 years - you could buy an SA airgun and use it, and no one batted an eyelid despite its less than certain legal status.

2 years ago the Steyr Hunter 5 semi-auto was released and people started to import them in from Europe as Steyr UK didn't stock them.

A few people asked Steyr UK to import them and Steyr UK sought clarification from the Gun Trade Association to make sure they were covered.

After a meeting between the HO and the GTA, the Home Office advised that the original guidance circular they issued in 1997 was meant to cover existing SA airguns, not to cover all future airguns. (I have a copy of that email somewhere)

And now we're in this situation where technically a SA airgun is still a Section 5 prohibited firearm, and because the issue has been pushed and pushed, the HO are in a position where it looks like they are considering reversing their guidance from 1997. If they do that, anyone with an SA airgun in their possession would be in deep do do.

I don't own an SA airgun, if I did I most certainly wouldn't be rocking any boats.

.

Exactly this. Don't ask questions if you might not like the answer.

I confidently predict the next thing will be people saying well what is the difference between an LP50 and, say an umarex, both fire pellets each time you pull the trigger, and they will ask and ask until the HO says, hmm, you are right, lets look at those too...

Anyway now the issue is well and truly under scrutiny so I guess all those people asking the question over the years will find out soon.