Air Rifles - the law...

[The Great Wallsendo]

Am taking custody of my mates Air Rifle in the summer while he goes off gallavanting around the world after 12 years of service for Queen and Country...

What are the laws regarding carrying one in public? I really don't fancy being taken down by SWAT and the Anti Terror Police because someone thinks I'm carrying a proper gun

[mark]

don't is the easy answer

if you must, it has to be in a proper gun bag, but even then you're going to attract attention, as a gun bag is a gun bag and you'll likely be stopped to see whats in it, and then explain where you're going, and you have to be going somewhere that you have permission to shoot on

[The Great Wallsendo]

Seems pretty straightforward - cheers ...tried trawling a few air rifle sites and they all talked about codes of practice etc etc but none of them touched on carrying the bugger about

Are farmers (in general) amenable to giving permission to shoot small furry things on their land?

[KeithB]

Don't forget to pick all the pellets back up, 500 pellets = 2 boat sinkers.

[mark]

usually ok about taking a few rabbits out, but they can be a funny lot if they don't know you, best to find someone who can 'introduce you'. Hill farmers, mainly farming sheep and the odd few cows would probably tell you to sod off

we've got a lot of problems out here with folks just turning up wandering about shooting or ferreting, or worst lamping late at night. most of them dickheads who'll come out with some 'so and so who owns the land said it'd be ok', but usually they haven't the foggiest idea who does actually own the land, and don't give a damn about the fact they might in field of horses or whatever

a lot of farms may own the land, but not all of them have the right to shoot on their own land, just to complicate things

[The Great Wallsendo]

As to shooting "for fun" (Charvas and the like....JOKE)...I remember as a kid going down the rocks at Tynemouth (pretty much where the Gut is) and firing at tin cans/targets etc on the cliffs...always being mindful of people about and under supervision from an adult...was this actually illegal?

[mark]

Originally Posted by The Great Wallsendo

As to shooting "for fun" (Charvas and the like....JOKE)...I remember as a kid going down the rocks at Tynemouth (pretty much where the Gut is) and firing at tin cans/targets etc on the cliffs...always being mindful of people about and under supervision from an adult...was this actually illegal?

then... dunno

now... probably!

[jimmy]

before you go shooting with it Tony it might be worthwhile taking it somewhere to have it chronographed (power output check) The legal limit for an air rifle is 12 ft lbs.Over that and you need a firearms certificate,quite a lot of police know the score with regards to that,and if they inspect the rifle,they CAN take it off you to have chronographed themselves,if its over 12ft lbs,you WILL be prosecuted for having an unlicenced FIREARM,also you will lose the rifle and might have a bit of money to pay back to your mate to re-place it.

[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

[Charlie_Thompson]

If you are going to carry a gun on the streets make sure you are really ****ed and wave it about loads, pointing it at the odd person now and again. The sodjers are used to these situations and you will be gently rugby tackled to the floor, offered counselling and a nice biscuit. Honest Wallso - you know it makes sense.

Guns don't kill people - bullets do