Gun laws in england??

Question

What are the gun laws in the uk.
I have a powerful co2 powered air pistol which can easily break through metal.

Is it illegal to have one? what are the laws surround them.

It can make a hole in a tin can from 50 feet away.
It could easily kill a rabbit it can smash through glass with ease it can shoot through thick plastic.
I have filled a bottle up with water and it has thick plastic and it goes though the bottle and out the other side. It can also put deep dents in a 2p from 20feet away.

Answer 1

Co2 powered pistols are classed as airguns. The legal limit for an airpistol is 6ft lbs, if the power output is below this level then it is legal to be owned and used on private property with the owners permission.

You do need to be over 18.

When you say it can break through metal what metal are you talking about and at what range, calibre etc.


EDIT:
Conventional air weapons do not fall within the remit of the Firearms Enquiry Team, as they do not, except in certain circumstances, require certification. However many people are interested in this subject and have asked for information.

An air weapon differs from a conventional firearm by the fact that it, and the pellets discharged, do not contain any explosive substance.

When the trigger is pulled the pellets are forced from the barrel either by the release of a coiled spring, or the discharge of compressed gas from a cylinder.

Most air weapons are of such limited power that they do not require to be licensed, however there are exceptions to this rule.

The Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969 require that certain air weapons can only be held legally on a firearm certificate. It is possible to measure the velocity of pellets, discharged from an air weapon, by the use of an electronic chronograph. From these measurements the kinetic energy of the pellet at the muzzle can be calculated. Air weapons deemed specially dangerous have a muzzle energy in excess of:

In the case of an air pistol: 6 ft/lbs
In the case of an air weapon other than an air pistol: 12 ft/lbs

Such weapons are classified as Section 1 firearms and are required to be held on a firearm certificate. These weapons are subject to all the controls and regulations pertaining to Section 1 firearms , although the "ammunition" (pellets) are not.

These rules do not apply to an air weapon designed for use only when submerged in water, e.g. harpoon gun.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 has made changes to existing firearms legislation, which affects the following:

(1) Possession of firearms in a public place.

(2) Air weapons ages limits.

(3) Prohibition of self-contained gas cartridge system air weapons.

For further information go to New Legislation .

Conventional air weapons, although not requiring to be held on certificate, are still subject to other legislation, particularly as to age restrictions as follows (see also Government Proposals ):

Under 17 years old
It is an offence to give an air weapon, or ammunition for it, to a person under 17 years of age. It is not an offence for that young person to receive it.

It is an offence for a person under 17 years old to be in possession of an air weapon, or ammunition for it, except:

As a member of an approved club for target shooting.
Whilst at a shooting gallery where only air weapons or miniature rifles not exceeding . 23 calibre are used.
Whilst under the supervision of a person aged 21 years or over, or whilst shooting, on private premises, including land, provided the missile is not fired beyond those premises.
From the age of 14 years old, whilst on private premises with the consent of the owner. No supervision is required.
It is an offence for a person under 17 years of age to be in possession of an air pistol in any public place except as at (a) and (b) above. A public place means any highway or place or premises to which, at the material time, the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise. You may not have an airgun in a public place without proper reason. An airgun is deemed as loaded if there is a pellet, dart or anything else in the gun or magazine, whether cocked or not.

You should be aware that it is unlawful to trespass on any land (including on water), or in any building whilst in possession of a firearm, including an airgun.

Simply going onto private land without permission is trespass. If you are in possession of an airgun at the time, it is trespassing whilst in possession of a firearm, a serious criminal offence which is punishable by up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of £1000.

It is also an offence to discharge a firearm, including an airgun, within 50 feet of the centre of any highway. This includes roads, bridle-paths or public footpaths. The offence is complete if a member of the public is injured, endangered or even just alarmed by the incident.

Answer 2

No they shouldn't. Banning guns only stops the law abiding citizen from getting them. Criminals are still free to get them. Since the recent firearms laws tightening gun ownership, gun crime has actually sky rocketed(its's a statistical fact). And Raull moat was not a legal owner of any weapons, the sawn off shotgun he used to shoot the police officer was illegally aqquired. I think gun laws should be relaxed so pistols could be owned again, and the police should do there job and check on the people who own them. The media never helps when guns are involved. Funny how they never report on guns when they are illegally owned and used. As soon as a certificate holder does anything wrong, its a media frenzy. It's also a statistical fact that in the USA, areas with people LEGALLY carrying concealed weapons and guns at home for self defence have lower crime rates. You can find these statistics eaily on the internet, even when i show people these they still don't belive it. It just shows how brain washed people are about guns in the UK. Guns don't kill people, people kill people.

Answer 3

What gun laws when the criminals in society are allowed to roam ,armed and dangerous. Perhaps it is right that the ordinary god fearing people are not armed but it is sad that they have to stay in their houses and hope that the gun wielding thugs decide not to shoot them in the haven of their home. I suspect that under the new law a person who inadvertently mocks a gay person will incur a longer jail sentence than a thug caught in possession of a fire arm - it begs the question - is the law an ***?

Answer 4

If you want to be legal, ask your local police station. They will tell you if it is legal or not and will dispose of it safely if it is illegal for you.
Or ring this number For general policy queries or in case of difficulty please call the FET policy officer on 020 7275 3589.
http://www.met.police.uk/askthemet/572.htm

Answer 5

Better take that gun with you just in case Charlie Chaplin tries to mug you...

Answer 6

With an airweapon this powerful it would be illegal to own or use without a licence. As licences cannot be granted for handguns you cannot possess one. Sorry.

Answer 7

seems to me the only people who have hand guns in England are the bad guys, not that I agree with guns I dont I have never felt the need to own one but it seems to me the that its the bad people who have em

Answer 8

Handguns...including your`s are illegal.

Answer 9

Not legal