robbiep Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 A slightly odd topic here, but this subject came up on the range the other night Is there a definition (in law) of what makes an airgun either an air pistol or an air rifle ? I've had a look through the HO/Police documentation, and I can't find anything at all. The only things I've been able to find are regarding pistols, which go through the overall min length and barrel length, but even then those obviously aren't classified as rifles, but as LBPs. Not after opinions, but a definitive answer if possible (preferably with a link through to the legislation/definitive article. Reason for asking to follow in due course ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyflier Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/d_to_g/firearms/#a01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmydean Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/d_to_g/firearms/#a01 Longest non-authored post I've seen - I'd have been tempted to say "yes". I do however see the point ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/d_to_g/firearms/#a01 I'd already had a look at that document (along with others). Can you point out where that defines EXACTLY what makes an air pistol an air pistol, and not an air rifle. Because, as far as I can see, it is not defined there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyflier Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I think you would probably get a more helpful answer if you were to ask your local firearms licensing officer. I am only aware that an air pistol may not exceed 6ft lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeastpete Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I can see what you mean, but I'm sure there will be a barrel and or stock length requirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedsanity Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 It's stock and barrel length that define it, if you cut the stock off of a 12ftlb air rifle You then have an illegal firearm as its a 12ftlb pistol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timps Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 (edited) You are not going to get a black and white definition just for air pistols, the guidance is set out below. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/417199/Guidance_on_Firearms_Licensing_Law_v13.pdf Page 16 2.44 The Rules provide that any air weapon is ‘specially dangerous’ if it is capable of discharging a missile so that the missile has, on being discharged from the muzzle of the weapon, kinetic energy in excess, in the case of an air pistol, of 6 foot lbs or, in the case of an air weapon other than an air pistol, 12 foot lbs. An air rifle with a muzzle energy in excess of 12 foot lbs must be held on a firearm certificate. Any air pistol which either has a barrel less than 30cm in length or is less than 60cm in length overall, with a muzzle energy in excess of 6 foot lbs is a prohibited firearm. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1969/47/pdfs/uksi_19690047_en.pdf The rules do not actually define what is a pistol, however handguns (pistols) are banned under the firearms act with the following “(aba) any firearm which either has a barrel less than 30 centimetres in length or is less than 60 centimetres in length overall, other than an air weapon, a muzzle-loading gun or a firearm designed as signalling apparatus.” so it would not be hard to convince a judge that the definition of an air pistol is the same. Not exactly what you are looking for as it is the opinion of the government, but that’s how they would prosecuted you, air weapons that are 'specially dangerous' need a certificate. Edited March 27, 2015 by timps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 The rules do not actually define what is a pistol, however handguns (pistols) are banned under the firearms act with the following “(aba) any firearm which either has a barrel less than 30 centimetres in length or is less than 60 centimetres in length overall, other than an air weapon, a muzzle-loading gun or a firearm designed as signalling apparatus.” so it would not be hard to convince a judge that the definition of an air pistol is the same. It just seems insane that the law does not seem to define exactly what an 'air pistol' is, as opposed to an 'air rifle'. A S5 pistol is clearly defined in law, as are the dimensions for a pistol to be held under S1. But those laws specifically exclude air weapons (as timps has pointed out above here). However, as those regulations specifically exclude air weapons, then I'd imagine for the CPS to convince a judge that the regulations should include air weapons would be a little bit difficult. A little bit of background : a person who I know has been given an air rifle, on which the barrel has been cut down to about 250mm (10 inches). The stock is complete. As it is, is producing about 10-10.5 ft/lbs. Absolutely nobody seems to know if that is a legal gun or not. He's checked with an RFD, 3 FEOs, he's tried searching through the law, and he's eventually brought the subject up on a range evening. As it stands, he's removed the barrel, and has ordered a new barrel for it. The accuracy is terrible. He's probably going to just scrap the old barrel (properly). But he (and I) were astounded that this legal definition does not exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny thomas Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 I can't give you documented proof but was told by dealer that the gun is what it is at point of sale ie if you buy it as a pistol then its a pistol When I bought my crosman 2240 I asked as its easily converted to the rifle version however its still classed as a pistol so must not exceed 6 lbs ft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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