[davem2005]

Tony,
The law regarding shooting says you must have the gun in a secure cover. If it has a magazine as many multi shot guns have it must not be in place. You obviously need to have a reason to be carrying the gun...going to a gun shop...or to shoot etc.

With regard to actually shooting the laws have tightend up seriously over the last few years.

It is an offence:-

To fire a weapon within 50' (17 metres) of the centre line of a public highway. ( I have a mark on my drive)

The pellet must be safely contained on your own land or land you have permission to shoot on. ie no chance of a ricochet.

You must only shoot on land that you have permission of the owner on. The new asbo laws have seriously tightened up on this and breaking law is classed as "armed trespass"....a serious offence (prisonable)

The codes of practice on the websites are good and if followed you should be ok. The 50' from the road centre is important if you plan to plink in the garden. The police will come a knocking if a neighbour complains but they will be unlikely to know the law. The important thing is to ensure the pellet can never leave your property.

I tune and service a lot of airguns as a hobby. I have a neighbour who phones the police every time he hears a gun go off but each time the law comes out I am sure of the law and they can only walk away. I have had a full turn out of the armed response on one occasion ( shooting rabbits legally about 1/4 mile away from Tony Blairs house) ...scary but just put the gun down is the best advice.

Another point is that if the gun exceeds 12 ft lb power you are commiting a serious firearms offence and you will be jailed.

Cheers
Dave