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Airguns,
You, and The Law |
While
every effort is made to keep this page up to date,
Bisley Field Target Organisation cannot be held
responsible for any inaccuracies. If you are unsure,
check with the appropriate authorities.
IT IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW. |
Shooting
differs from all other sports in one respect;
it is the only sport that is covered directly
by criminal law.
All other
sports have rules, regulations & safety guidelines
that are considered “best practice”,
i.e. the best way of doing things. Shooting has
these guidelines for best practice but it is also
governed by legal requirements that are enforced
not only by our governing bodies, but also by
the legal system and the Police. |
Legal
Ages |
Under
14 years old |
14
- 17 Years Old |
Over
18 Years Old |
People
in this age group:
Can; use an air rifle under supervision
on private premises with the permission of the occupier
– normally the owner or tenant. The person
who supervises you must be at least 21 years old.
Cannot; buy, hire or receive an
air rifle or ammunition as a gift, or shoot without
adult (21) supervision.
Parents or guardians who buy an air rifle for use
by someone under 14 must exercise control over it
at all times, even in the home or garden.
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People in this
age group:
Can; borrow an air rifle and ammunition;
use an air rifle without supervision on private
premises where you have permission.
Cannot; buy or hire an air rifle
or ammunition, or receive one as a gift. Your air
rifle and ammo must be bought and looked after by
someone over 18 – normally your parent, guardian
or other responsible adult.
Have an air rifle in a public place unless you are
supervised by somebody aged 21 or over, and you
have a reasonable excuse to do so. E.g. while on
the way to a shooting ground.
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People
in this age group:
Can; buy an air rifle and ammunition
and use it where you have permission to shoot.
Cannot; carry an air gun in a public
place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
E.g. taking it to a gun shop for repair or sale.
Supervise anyone under 17 years old unless over
21 years themselves.
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It
is illegal to sell an air rifle or ammunition
to any person under 18 years of age. |
Air
Gun Licensing |
| Airguns can
be purchased and shot without the need for a licence
only as long as the muzzle energy is below certain
limits. This is referred to as the legal limit for
air rifles and pistols. Generally, all airguns sold
in gun shops are below the legal limit and can be
purchased without a licence, however it
is your responsibility to make sure that your new
gun falls within legal limits. This can
be done using the club chronograph. |
Rifles |
Pistols |
Must
be 12 foot pounds or less |
Must
be 6 foot pounds or less |
| Some
specialist air guns exceed the limits above and
can only be purchased by first obtaining a firearm
certificate from the police. It is not possible
to obtain a licence for an air pistol greater than
6 ftlb as these weapons are now banned. Also, pistols
using the Brocock Air Cartridge System now require
a section one firearms licence – anyone shooting
these airguns at the club will be asked to produce
a supporting section one firearms licence. |
General
Points Which We Need To Keep In Mind |
These parts
of the law apply to everyone using airguns:
• Airguns must
not be loaded in public places. This includes
having pellets in a magazine near the gun. It
is now illegal to carry an airgun in a public
place without lawful authority or reasonable
excuse.
• You must always have written permission
of the landowner or occupier when shooting on
private property.
• All pellets discharged from your airgun
must stay within the boundary of the ground
on which you have permission to shoot.
• Airguns should not be discharged within
50 feet from the centre of a public highway.
• If you wish to hunt live quarry you
can shoot those animals considered as vermin
under the general license. These are: Birds;
Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay, Woodpigeon,
Collard Dove and Feral Pigeon. Mammals; Brown
Rat, Grey Squirrel, Mink and Rabbits. Please
remember: you have a moral obligation to your
quarry to afford it a clean kill, only practice
on the range will make you skilled enough to
do this.
• If you have been sentenced to any form
of detention or corrective training you cannot
possess an airgun or pellets unless permitted
by the Firearms Act.
• It is an offence to assist anyone to
break the law.
• Air rifles must not be carried in the
commission of any offence.
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Section
21 of The Firearms Act 1968 |
Main points to be aware
of:
• Anyone who has
been imprisoned or subject to corrective training
(including young offenders institutions in Scotland)
for a period of 3 years or more cannot have
an airgun or ammunition in his / her possession
at any time.
• Anyone who has been subject to corrective
training (including Borstal) for a period of
less than 3 years or has been imprisoned for
a period of over 3 months but less than 3 years
can use an airgun after a period of 5 years
after release, but they cannot own an airgun
of their own.
• There are other specific situations
outlined by Section 21. It is advised that you
familiarise yourself with these points as well
to ensure that you are shooting within the law.
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Penalties |
| Penalties for
breaking the law are very severe and you should
be aware of what the consequences of not shooting
within the laws can have: |
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Offence |
Potential
Penalty |
Possession
of an airgun with intent to injure or damage property |
14 years
in Prison / Fine…Or both! |
Using
an airgun to resist arrest |
14 years
in Prison / Fine…Or both! |
Carrying
an airgun with intent to commit a crime |
10 years
in Prison / Fine…Or both! |
Carrying
a loaded airgun without authority or reasonable
excuse |
5 years
in Prison / Fine…Or both! |
Trespassing
with an airgun without reasonable excuse in a
building |
5 years
in Prison / Fine…Or both! |
Trespassing
with an airgun without reasonable excuse on land |
3 months
in Prison / £200 Fine…Or both! |
Acquiring,
possessing or using any airgun or ammunition within
5 years of release from any detention or imprisonment
of 3
months or over
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3 years
in Prison / Fine…Or both! |
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