Air Rifles in the UK?

Question

What are the rules for air rifles in the UK? Where can they be used and who by?

Answer 1

FROM AN ARMSMEN!!
I have a collection of various firearms, all legal and papers for them all.
A Air rifle provided it is SPRUNG propelled not gas may be used without a license by anyone over the age of 14 provided.
1. it is NOT theirs, it is owned by someone over the age of 17.
2. they are on private land, and have the consent of the landowner.
3. they are further away than 500 feet from a public right of way,( road path or similar) and are shooting away from it. if shooting towards, you must be 500feet + your weapons range.

If the rifle is GAS propelled (ie a canister) then you must be 18 and the rifle is classed as a grade C Firearm, and must be licensed and kept in a locked gun cabinet which must be secured to the floor. and police inspected yearly.

Answer 2

Bellow is the UK airgun law as it stands at the moment. 18 years If you are 18 years or older there are no restrictions on buying an air rifle and ammunition, and you can use it where you have permission to shoot. 14 – 17 years You can borrow an air rifle and ammunition use an air rifle, without supervision, on private premises where you have permission You cannot buy or hire an air rifle, or ammunition, or receive one as a gift. Your air rifle and ammunition must be bought and looked after by someone over 18 – normally your parent, guardian or some 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 (for example, while on the way to a shooting ground). Under 14 years You can use an air rifle under supervision on private premises with permission from the occupier - normally the owner or tenant. The person who supervises you must be at least 21 years old. You cannot buy, hire or receive an air rifle or its ammunition as a gift, or shoot, without adult 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. It is illegal to sell an air rifle or ammunition to a person under 18 years of age.

Answer 3

The rules keep changing but generally I would expect someone to be over 18 and use the air weapon in a club premises or on a large area of private ground for which you have permission to use it. A small back garden is not big enough. You should have enough ground for stray pellets not to cause harm.

Hunting with an air rifle is generally confined to 22 calibre and is used to hunt vermin in areas where a shotgun would be too destructive.

If you wish to use air weapons or small bore or full bore rifles then join a local club where you can be assured of a lot of quality advice and a lot of fun in a sport that is hard pushed due to idiots out on the street abusing "guns"

Answer 4

You have to be over 17 to buy, you are then limited to not more than 12 ft.lbs muzzle energy. Air weapons producing more than 12 ft.lbs are considered firearms and you can only obtain those with a firearm certificate. To get that you need a good reason, like target shooting or vermin control, you'd need club membership or written permission from a landowner.

All CO2 weapons used to be considered firearms, but that would have given them issues with paintball guns, so I don't know what became of that litle bit of law.

Hunting is not restricted to 22s, even though that's what I used to prefer, lots of people prefer 177s and some even use 20s and 25s.

Answer 5

I know a shop in Ramsgate called something like 'Buy me that' or similar. Window with air rifles in it, from £30 to £100

Answer 6

yuo have to be over 17 to buy but only 14 to use
you can only use them at a gun club or on private land with the landowners express permission

Answer 7

I have an old BSA .22 rifle and an old .177 Webley Senior.

You brits make fine airguns.

Answer 8

Anyone over 17 can buy one and they can be taken anywhere as long as they're covered and used on private land

Answer 9

not sure but its a wicked name for a band! can i use it?