Theskyfox Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Hi Guys, Saw a link to this on the BASC website earlier: http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/areas/firearms.htm Quote: "The current law relating to firearms and other offensive weapons is contained in a number of different statutes and statutory instruments, resulting in a confused and confusing picture and creating significant practical difficulties for investigating authorities and prosecutors" They would appear to be an attempt to reform the firearms act and reclassify certain firearms. It seems to be that they are taking technology into account too. Do you think maybe this could include a relook at Airguns? maybe even as far as a standardised power test for airguns? I say this as I realise a number of areas of the legislation are missing for airguns e.g. the definition of what constitutes an air-pistol. -Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 New advancements could be all sorts of stuff - very unlikely to be airguns, we have some very fast "half auto" guns about now and 3 .5 " semi auto shotguns that are capable of holding more than two in the mag if you act illegally and load 2 1/2" shells etc. But I suspect its just speaking of databases and such and more linked to cost reviews Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I guess we'll have to wait and see. To be honest it'd be nice to have a standardised test for air rifles. I'd then be able to replicate the test at home and be happy. As it is, my gun's set at 11.6 with bisley magnums. I have a chrono and check it regularly, but have I tried every pellet there is out there against it to make sure none of them take the gun over? no. I'm all for simplifying the law; that way everyone knows where we all stand, loop holes are closed and the law abiding can have more confidence, the non law abiding can be prosecuted easier. This could also be a precursor to an air rifle license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derfley Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I think the important part is; "In part, this is because the way weapons have been categorised in law and understood in society in the past no longer reflects present reality. For example, no definitions are given for key terms such as “antique”, “imitation”, “lethal” and even “weapon”. There is considerable overlap between offences, making it difficult to establish clearly which charges apply in an individual case. The law has also failed to keep abreast with modern technology, and in particular with the availability of equipment that can be used to convert objects into active firearms." This to me suggests that they are going to be looking again at things such as long barrelled revolvers, semi auto shotguns/rifles, airsoft replica weapons (much like what happened to blank firers), we may also get some proper clarity on semi/fully automatic airguns and finally give a proper definition to what is to be classified as antique weapons. I have no doubt there there will be a general look at firearms and airguns in the UK, but I doubt we will see any sweeping changes such as a higher power limit for air weapons or additional magazine size restrictions on firearms or shotguns, or licensing for airguns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Hi Guys, Saw a link to this on the BASC website earlier: http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/areas/firearms.htm Quote: "The current law relating to firearms and other offensive weapons is contained in a number of different statutes and statutory instruments, resulting in a confused and confusing picture and creating significant practical difficulties for investigating authorities and prosecutors" They would appear to be an attempt to reform the firearms act and reclassify certain firearms. It seems to be that they are taking technology into account too. Do you think maybe this could include a relook at Airguns? maybe even as far as a standardised power test for airguns? I say this as I realise a number of areas of the legislation are missing for airguns e.g. the definition of what constitutes an air-pistol. -Andrew taking technology into account. rekon it could be more to do with 3D printers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Looks like review section 58 and 3d printers, modifications... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theskyfox Posted September 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 I guess we'll have to wait and see. To be honest it'd be nice to have a standardised test for air rifles. I'd then be able to replicate the test at home and be happy. As it is, my gun's set at 11.6 with bisley magnums. I have a chrono and check it regularly, but have I tried every pellet there is out there against it to make sure none of them take the gun over? no. I'm all for simplifying the law; that way everyone knows where we all stand, loop holes are closed and the law abiding can have more confidence, the non law abiding can be prosecuted easier. This could also be a precursor to an air rifle license. Couldn't agree more Chris. I've spent a small fortune on different pellets to try but its literally impossible to do - especially when there are so many combinations of copper, zinc-tin alloys, head sizes and varying ballistic coeficcients. My local gunshop told me they test all guns with Bis Mags as thats the pellet they "have to use" for it. Don't know how they came up with that one, but its what they do. -Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 New advancements could be all sorts of stuff - very unlikely to be airguns, we have some very fast "half auto" guns about now and 3 .5 " semi auto shotguns that are capable of holding more than two in the mag if you act illegally and load 2 1/2" shells etc. But I suspect its just speaking of databases and such and more linked to cost reviews All 3 and 1/2 magnums can hold 4 cartridges in total. I was concerned and asked my FEO, when I bought my Etrema. His answer, (which I respected as he was a good FEO) was - the gun was manufactured to hold only 3, 3 and 1/2 cartridges, knowing the law I would expect you load it with no more than 3 cartridges, even though its capacity may be 4 with 70mm and 5 with the shortest cartridge. Seems the law is adequate if it makes us responsible. Changes will be more about the mix of various Acts and simplifying the law overall - it cant be simple for the police and guidance, could, resulting from a change and consolidation, be simplified to everyone's benefit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 The law on semis and pump is proof OT unintended consequence as the aim was to restrict them to 2 shots same as OU and SxS but the wording is such that it limits the magazine capacity to 2. This means the one in the chamber and one on the lifter is outside the letter if the law. The proof house clarified the situation where more shorter carts would fit in to a magazine some years ago with it being 2 of the largest shell the gun is proofed for being the requirement under proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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