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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: AirHunter4Ever on June 12, 2012, 05:14:29 PM

Title: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: AirHunter4Ever on June 12, 2012, 05:14:29 PM
UK Airgun Laws

Source: http://www.airgunforum.co.uk/ (http://www.airgunforum.co.uk/)

Airguns in the UK are subject to the firearms acts, under the Firearms (Dangerous air weapons) rules 1969 they are classified as low powered Air Weapons and as such they are restricted to a maximum power of 12 foot pounds energy for a rifle and 6 foot pounds energy for a pistol. Air rifles above 12ft/lbs are classified as a Section 1 Firearm and requires a licence (FAC) otherwise known as a firearms certificate, and an Air pistol above 6ftlb is a prohibited weapon.

UK Legal Limit

To calculate the power of an airgun you need to use a chronograph to measure the speed of the pellet (in feet per second) when fired, and you need to know the weight of the pellet in grains. Once you have that information you perform the following calculation:- speed(ft/sec) X speed(ft/sec) X weight(grains) 450240 This gives you the result in foot pounds force (ftlb). As mentioned the legal maximum for an unlicensed air rifle is 12 ftlb which from changing round the above formula, gives the approximate values as follows:- A .22 pellet weighing 14.4 grains, maximum permissible speed is 612 ft/sec A .177 pellet weighing 7.9 grains, maximum permissible speed is 826 ft/sec The corresponding figures for a pistol are 433 ft/sec for a .22 and 584 ft/sec for a .177 The pellet weights used in the above calculation are typical weights for the sizes of pellet but you must always check the actual weight of your pellet before performing your own calculation.

Airgun Quarry


The following pests are considered suitable for controlling using a sub-12 ftlb Airgun. BIRDS: (covered by the open general licence's) crows, rooks, jackdaws, magpies, jays, wood pigeon, collared doves, and feral pigeons. MAMMALS: brown rats, grey squirrels, stoats, mink and rabbits. information sheet on general licence's for the control of certain bird species in the UK please click here to read Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 All bird and animals are protected by law. Certain species are classified as pests or vermin and only these species can be legitimately shot and then only by authorised persons. An Authorised Person is someone who has the proper permission from the land owner to control pests on that land.

Offence Penalties


The Penalties for breaking current UK firearms laws with Airguns are as follows:- Carrying a loaded Air-weapon in a public place 6 months imprisonment and / or £5,000 fine. Trespassing with an air weapon 3 months imprisonment and / or £2,500 fine. Trespassing on private land with an air weapon 3 months imprisonment and / or £2,500 fine. Possessing or using an air weapon if sentenced to 3 months or more in custody 3 months imprisonment and / or £2,500 fine. In addition if original sentence up to 3 years 5 year ban on use of firearms. Or if for 3 years or more Life ban on use of firearms. Killing or injuring any bird or protected animal unless authorised £5,000 fine. Firing an air weapon within 15m / 50ft of a public highway £1,000 fine. Selling or hiring air weapon or ammunition to person under 17 6 months imprisonment and / or £5,000 fine. Making a gift of air weapon or ammunition to person under 14 £1,000 fine. Having air weapon or ammunition with intent to damage property 10 years imprisonment. Having air weapon with intent to endanger life Life imprisonment and / or appropriate fine. Using air weapon to resist or prevent arrest Life imprisonment and / or appropriate fine. Threatening others with an air weapon (even if unloaded) to cause them to fear unlawful violence 10 years imprisonment and / or appropriate fine. Not forgetting the chance of being shot and killed by the police should you not obey instructions when challenged by them, they cannot tell if you have just an airgun or a more lethal firearm so will treat all arms as lethal and respond accordingly.

Civil Law

It should be born in mind by every airgun shooter that the unexpected could happen and they could find themselves facing a civil action for damage to property or even injury to persons or livestock. Every airgun shooter should have Third Party Public Liability Insurance before venturing out of doors, and joining one of the bodies representing shooters interests is the best way to achieve this.

Following the enactment of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, listed below are the current regulations relating to the purchase, ownership, sale and possession of airguns and ammunition.

Persons under the age of 14:

1) No person under the age of 14 may purchase, hire or be given an airgun or ammunition.

2) A person under the age of 14 must at all times when shooting be supervised by a person over the age of 21.

Persons over the age of 14 but under 18:


1) No person under the age of 18 may purchase, hire or be given an airgun or ammunition.

2) A person in this age group may shoot unsupervised on private land with the permission of the landowner but must be supervised by somebody over the age of 21 if in a public place. It should be noted that this means that a person aged seventeen and a half who may have a driving licence cannot take an air rifle from home to his club to shoot unless the gun is possessed by somebody over the age of eighteen or the seventeen and a half-year old is supervised by a person over the age of twenty-one.

Persons over the age of 18:

A person over the age of eighteen can buy an airgun and pellets and use them unsupervised.

General Restrictions:

1) It is an offence to have an airgun in a public place "without good reason", the proof being the responsibility of the possessor.

2) It is an offence to discharge a firearm within fifty feet of the centre of a highway.

3) When shooting over private land it is an offence for the pellet to go beyond the boundary of the premises on which the gun is being used unless there is permission from the adjoining landowner.

4) Persons who by way of trade deal in airguns, pressure bearing parts or component parts must be a Registered Firearms Dealer and any transaction must be face-to-face. Ammunition for airguns may continue to be sold by post.

Exceptions:

1) It is not an offence for a person to have with him an airgun or ammunition whilst being a member of a Home Office Approved Club in connection with target practice.

2) Air rifles with a muzzle energy in excess of 12 foot pounds (which require licensing) are not subject to the general restrictions listed above.

3) An "airgun" with the kinetic energy of less than one joule is considered a toy and is therefore not covered by the above restrictions but may be considered a realistic imitation firearm (if it looks like a gun). The sale of realistic imitation firearms is now banned with one or two minor exceptions, mainly for historical re-enactment, museums and television/film/theatrical performances or as a recognized member of an airsoft site affiliated to the Association of British AirSoft.
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: glassman98 on June 12, 2012, 06:52:47 PM
LOVE THE USA.
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: jolobolo on June 12, 2012, 08:02:41 PM
What the problem with our gun laws it could be worse France is even less power and hunting with air weapons is not allowed at all.
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: GungaDin on June 12, 2012, 08:53:09 PM
LOVE THE USA.
Depends what part of it you are in, I hear NYC's gun laws are so bad they even ban airsoft.
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: Raizer on June 12, 2012, 09:21:44 PM
Not trying to steal the thread, but here is New Zealands laws

In New Zealand any member of the public over the age of 18, may own and fire most air rifles without a firearms license, provided they use the air rifle in a safe environment with a responsible attitude.

Minors 16 and over, but under the age of 18 require a Firearms License to possess an air rifle – however they may use an air rifle under adult supervision without this license.

Airguns can not be fully automatic, and there is provision under the NZ Arms Laws to specify "specially dangerous airguns". Only Pre-charged pneumatic rifles (over 762mm long) have now been specified in this category, so a firearms license is now a requirement for possession and use. The change was made as a consequence of two fatal shootings by .22 calibre semi automatic air rifles.
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: aznboi3644 on June 12, 2012, 09:53:57 PM
do you HAVE to use a 14.44 grain pellet...how about a gun that shoots 12ft/lbs using an 18 grain pellet
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: Nathan on June 12, 2012, 10:10:42 PM
do you HAVE to use a 14.44 grain pellet...how about a gun that shoots 12ft/lbs using an 18 grain pellet

My understanding of the British Law is that the rifle cannot exceed 12 ft lbs with any pellet. Thus most mfg's set them up to be under that level say 11 to 11.5 ft lbs to give a buffer zone. If you pushed your rifle right to the edge of the legal limit, say 11.95 ft lbs with a 14.5 grain pellet, you might be at 12.2 ft lbs with a 13.0 grain for example. In that given example, the rifle would be illegal.

Nathan
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: gamo2hammerli on June 13, 2012, 12:20:15 AM
U.K citizens need a revolution....heck....Canadians need a revolution.  Our airgun and firearm rules/regulations are about as stiff as yours.
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: jolobolo on June 13, 2012, 08:13:49 PM
14.5 is just an example we cannot go over 12fps at all. If you tune a co2 rifle in winter you have to be aware in summer its going to be over so you then have to wind back the mods .The police if they confiscate your rifle/rifles will then test them and try to get them over 12fps any way they can so heating up co2 different pellet weights you name it almost to destruction. And they only have to think that your weapon is overpowered to be able to take them they will take all your weapons. If you take a weapon into a gunsmith and they test it and it's over you don't get it back once over cannot be put back under. Life's tough but we could be Canadian.

EDITED due to foul language
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: JonnyReb on June 13, 2012, 10:24:11 PM
The USA is on a similar track and someday will probably embrace similar laws, sadly. For time being though, you can mail order a nonrestricted 500ftlb bigbore and fedex will drop it off at my doorstep. Gotta love that. Great thread! J
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: jolobolo on June 13, 2012, 11:20:24 PM
You can send guns private citizen to private citizen but not if you purchase from the trade. Trade will post to another dealer closer to you so you can pick it up. But you can guess they charge at both ends to do it. So the trade in second hand weapons is big and at a push you get a friend to pick up and post to your door.
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: AirHunter4Ever on June 14, 2012, 12:27:13 AM
The USA is on a similar track and someday will probably embrace similar laws, sadly. For time being though, you can mail order a nonrestricted 500ftlb bigbore and fedex will drop it off at my doorstep. Gotta love that. Great thread! J

You can bet they will hit the PCP's first . . .
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: amb5500c on June 14, 2012, 12:55:06 AM
Daddy always said, "If there's something you like doing; do it now. Because tomorrow it might be illegal."
Richard
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: Nikoman on June 14, 2012, 01:23:51 AM
I'm surprised rubber-band guns are still legal here in California. We have some of the craziest gun laws out here and especially in the city of San Francisco. I think anything with the word "gun" in it is illegal there. You can forget about Airsoft or any airgun, period.
They make it difficult to buy a caulking gun at Home Depot! ;D

Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: AirHunter4Ever on June 14, 2012, 01:41:13 PM
You can send guns private citizen to private citizen but not if you purchase from the trade. Trade will post to another dealer closer to you so you can pick it up. But you can guess they charge at both ends to do it. So the trade in second hand weapons is big and at a push you get a friend to pick up and post to your door.

What about selling air rifles to people outside the UK, say  if you were selling a 12 ft/lb rifle to someone ?

Would this be different if you were selling an "F.A.C." air rifle ( over 12 ft/lb, such as a .25 caliber UK-made Webley Patriot ) to someone in the USA, where there are no power restrictions, regulations, or registration of any type  ?

If there are restrictions, could the UK seller simply remove the spring and sell the rifle as "inoperative" or "for parts" ?
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: rsterne on June 14, 2012, 03:04:35 PM
I'll trade you our Canadian rules for pistols (under 500 fps) for your rules for rifles (12 FPE)....

Bob
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: VAFarmer on June 14, 2012, 03:55:14 PM
A few more reasons why

1)  US stay out of UN and EU.

2) States that define airguns as "firearms" should be sued to bankruptcy.


God bless,

Farmer
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: jolobolo on June 14, 2012, 05:32:33 PM


What about selling air rifles to people outside the UK, say  if you were selling a 12 ft/lb rifle to someone ?

Would this be different if you were selling an "F.A.C." air rifle ( over 12 ft/lb, such as a .25 caliber UK-made Webley Patriot ) to someone in the USA, where there are no power restrictions, regulations, or registration of any type  ?

If there are restrictions, could the UK seller simply remove the spring and sell the rifle as "inoperative" or "for parts" ?
[/quote]

In theory you could break a FAC rifle down and sell it as parts but as a non ticket holder getting hold of one first would be the problem I could not buy one. Even second hand a ticket holder couldn't sell it to me they would have to say who they sold it to.
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: AirHunter4Ever on June 14, 2012, 07:41:07 PM


What about selling air rifles to people outside the UK, say  if you were selling a 12 ft/lb rifle to someone ?

Would this be different if you were selling an "F.A.C." air rifle ( over 12 ft/lb, such as a .25 caliber UK-made Webley Patriot ) to someone in the USA, where there are no power restrictions, regulations, or registration of any type  ?

If there are restrictions, could the UK seller simply remove the spring and sell the rifle as "inoperative" or "for parts" ?

In theory you could break a FAC rifle down and sell it as parts but as a non ticket holder getting hold of one first would be the problem I could not buy one. Even second hand a ticket holder couldn't sell it to me they would have to say who they sold it to.
[/quote]

What about a "ticket holder" selling it, broken down, directly to a USA buyer ?

How would that work, since the country of the buyer is not under the jurisdiction of UK Law, and there are no "requirements" in the USA ?
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: jolobolo on June 14, 2012, 08:42:31 PM
Ticket holder would have to show he passed it on to someone or disposed of it correctly. Him saying I broke it up and sold it abroad would probably mean they withdrew his ticket. They are very hot on firearms licences and yes a over 12fps is classed as a firearm. I will never be able to hold a firearms licence as I take very strong pain medication. Some of which can be used for depression as well.  All I use it for is pain but it precludes me from a firearms ticket. And firearms includes shotguns as well .
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: Powder burner on June 15, 2012, 01:13:10 AM
  funny how people will trade their freedom for government goodies.
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: goodland on June 15, 2012, 01:33:18 AM
A few more reasons why

1)  US stay out of UN and EU.

2) States that define airguns as "firearms" should be sued to bankruptcy.


God bless,

Farmer
+1
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: AirHunter4Ever on June 15, 2012, 10:53:08 AM
Ticket holder would have to show he passed it on to someone or disposed of it correctly. Him saying I broke it up and sold it abroad would probably mean they withdrew his ticket. They are very hot on firearms licences and yes a over 12fps is classed as a firearm. I will never be able to hold a firearms licence as I take very strong pain medication. Some of which can be used for depression as well.  All I use it for is pain but it precludes me from a firearms ticket. And firearms includes shotguns as well .

Forgive me, but the UK is really screwed up. The USA is not far behind it, but in different ways.
Title: Re: UK Airgun Laws . . .
Post by: robert w on June 16, 2012, 08:42:58 PM
its just around the corner here in the usa . i figured ammo for any gun would be the ticket as the second amendment doesnt cover ammo. when the crooks in dc think a while as to how to grab our guns powder or air they might use outlawing any ammo . remember they were trying to serial number bullets . 1 step in the ammo direction . and pellets would be in the same catagory . we need to reposses our country before we go down the same uc gun law road . i feel for all legal citizens in other countrys who love guns . its not right and as for crime rates , they rose . remember when guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns