Airgun Law

***NEW LAWS WITH EFFECT FROM 1st OCTOBER 2007***

The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 came into force on the 1st October 2007
CHAPTER 38, PART 2 Sections 31 - 34 refer to the new laws for air weapons.

Sections:

31 Prohibition on sale or transfer of air weapons except by registered dealers
32 Sales of air weapons by way of trade or business to be face to face
33 Age limits for purchase etc. of air weapons
34 Firing an air weapon beyond premises

Click here to view details of The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006

Looking at the actual wording of the act can be a bit daunting so below are some of the main points of what has changed and what is the same (relating to airguns):

Millions of airguns are regularly used in the UK and there is no need to have a licence to own one-provided its power is within the legal limit: a muzzle energy of 12ft.lbs for air rifles or 6ft.lbs for pistols. Airguns over the legal limit are classed as Firearms and require a firearms certificate (FAC). The latest laws on Firearms will also require FAC air pistols - up to .22 calibre and able to shoot above the 6ft.lb limit - to be kept at registered gun clubs. Being unaware of the law will not stop the courts imposing heavy penalties, including confiscating the airgun, if you are caught breaking the law.

RESTRICTIONS ON ALL AIRGUN USERS

It is against the law to trespass on any land, rivers, lakes or in any building, carrying an airgun. It makes no difference if the airgun is unloaded, or even that you have no pellets with you. Unfenced land, or if no signs say that the land is private, does not give anyone the right to go there, especially with an airgun. You will be liable to heavy fines and to the confiscation of your airgun if you trespass.

All land in this country belongs to someone or some organisation. If you enter without the owners permission, you are trespassing - unless there is some public right of access - and if there is, the following restrictions will apply:

AIRGUNS IN PUBLIC PLACES It is illegal for anyone to have a loaded airgun in a public place, unless for some proper reason - such as authorised pest control. The airgun does not have to be cocked - anything in the breech, barrel or magazine defines the gun in law as loaded'. A public place is anywhere that the public are allowed entry, even if they may have to pay to do so.

AIRGUNS AND HIGHWAYS It is against the law to fire an airgun within 15 metres of the centre of a roadway - if by doing so you cause any risk or nuisance. Using an airgun on private property, close to a road. in a way which upset or put at risk people on the road, would be an offence.

PROTECTION OF BIRDS Almost all birds are protected by law. Some think that anyone can kill those birds regarded as pests: sparrows, starlings, wood pigeons, rooks, crows, jackdaws, magpies, jays, collard doves and feral pigeons. But they may only be killed by an 'authorised person' - one who legally owns the land or who has permission to shoot pests on that land. Anyone shooting at such birds without authorisation will be guilty of offences against the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Firearms Act. The birds do not have to be killed, or even hit, for such offences to be committed.

POACHING Anyone who trespasses on private property in pursuit of any game, including rabbits, will be liable to heavy penalties. The law allows for confiscation of your airgun and any mode of transport - so you could even lose your car, motorbike or bicycle.

AIRGUN QUARRY The birds listed above, and the following mammals: rabbit, brown rat. Grey squirrel. House mouse and mink are regarded as legitimate airgun quarry species. Provided you are on land or property, as an authorised person with permission, and your air rifle is of a suitable power - air pistols are not regarded as powerful enough to be humanely effective against live quarry - you may shoot these species. All other birds or mammals not listed are either protected by law or are considered too large - hares and foxes for example - to ensure humane kills.

SAFE AIRGUN SHOOTING

AIRGUN SHOOTERS MUST ALWAYS BE AWARE THAT, ALTHOUGH PERFECTLY SAFE WHEN USED RESPONSIBLY, AIR RIFLES AND PISTOLS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DAMAGE IF MISUSED. YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF, AND TO THE SPORT OF AIRGUNNING, TO ENSURE THAT YOU SHOOT SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY AT ALL TIMES.

NEVER POINT AN AIRGUN AT ANOTHER PERSON WHETHER IT IS LOADED OR NOT, OR AIM AN AIRGUN AT ANYTHING OTHER THAN A LEGITIMATE TARGET.

NEVER SHOOT IF YOU CANNOT CLEARLY SEE THAT IT IS SAFE TO DO SO OR SHOOT WHERE THERE IS A RISK OF THE PELLET RICOCHETING.

NEVER ALLOW FIRED PELLETS TO GO BEYOND THE LIMITS OF WHERE YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO SHOOT.

NEVER CROSS ANY OBSTACLE - A FENCE OR A DITCH, FOR EXAMPLE - WITH A LOADED AIRGUN.

NEVER LEAVE AN AIRGUN UNATTENDED - LOADED OR NOT.

ALWAYS ENSURE THERE IS A SAFE BACKSTOP.

RESPECT THE PROPERTY OF THE FARMER OR LANDOWNER WHERE YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO SHOOT.

ABOVE ALL ENJOY YOUR SPORT.

The law is always subject to change. Norwich Air Rifle & Field Target Club have published this information as a guide to Airgun Law. For full and up to date information on the law you must contact your local police firearms department. Norwich Air Rifle Field Target Club take no responsibility for any changes to the above information.

From 10 February 2011, owners of airguns could face fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to take reasonable precautions to stop unauthorised access to their airgun by people under the age of 18.

Improving airgun safety Ways to keep your airgun safe include: