12 ft/lb

[chewy0013]

Ok just a random question, why is the uk limit 12 ft/lbs? You can kill someone with this level of power so it seems a bit strange to set a limit at this level?!

 

Ok now this is really going to stir up a hornets nest.....

 

But would this not be better system....or am i talking a load of rubish?!!!

 

From 0-6ft/lbs you don't need a licence or anything to own one.

 

From 6ft-30ft you need something like a sgc....The same sort of criteria for it being issued.

 

And then 30ft/lbs plus a fire arms certificate.

 

Ok what do people think?

[Alpha Mule]

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

 

Doesn't sound too daft. Caveats to follow.

 

Edit: Actually I can show you how to kill someone with your pinky, but you won't need a license.

Edited May 9, 2010 by Alpha Mule

[hyflier]

As far as I understand the history of the 12ft lbs law it was something brought about by the government of the time who needed to stop the vastly superior German manufactured air weapons from swamping the british market. The german models were coming in at 16 ft lbs and something needed to be done to protect the workers jobs in the british factories: BSA and Webley, so the 12 ft lbs law was invented. The German weapons no longer had a place in our market and our own companies continued to turn out air rifles, protected by the new law.

 

I suppose in time the do-gooders got hold of the law and shouted "its for safety!" What rubbish! a 12 ft lbs air rifle will kill as easily as a 16ft lbs air rifle and any weapon is only as dangerous as the person using it.

[chewy0013]

Also thinking about it, crossbows are stupidly dangerous and you can still buy them off of the internet!

 

Personally as an airgunner I would prefer to have to pay £50, get a safe and be checked out by the police and then be trusted to use a 24 ft/lb as I would my 12ft/lb air rifle. I believe that I shoot in a manner that is safe regardless of whether i'm shooting a 12 ft/lb air rifle or a .22 lr. However, I can't be bothered with the hassle of applying for a firearms certificate, being limited to the ground I can shoot on, and paying far more for an air rifle. All I would want is for my .22 rifle to have the same sort of trajectory as my .177!

[Clubshot]

We are Stuck with Most Guns being restricted to Sub 12FP for Rifles

 

And No way will they ever Allow Pistols over Sub 6FP Rule

 

But a increasing number of Air Gunners are applying and being Granted

 

Section 1 Air Rifles - Main issue is having Authorised - by Police / fire Arms Team

 

Land to Shoot On

 

Another issue is that Most Air Gun's Could never allow above Sub 12FP

 

Air rifles on Ranges and they would destroy most air rifle Targets

 

BOB/R

[Vipa]

Also thinking about it, crossbows are stupidly dangerous and you can still buy them off of the internet!

 

Personally as an airgunner I would prefer to have to pay £50, get a safe and be checked out by the police and then be trusted to use a 24 ft/lb as I would my 12ft/lb air rifle. I believe that I shoot in a manner that is safe regardless of whether i'm shooting a 12 ft/lb air rifle or a .22 lr. However, I can't be bothered with the hassle of applying for a firearms certificate, being limited to the ground I can shoot on, and paying far more for an air rifle. All I would want is for my .22 rifle to have the same sort of trajectory as my .177!

 

 

I'll say this quickly so no one in the establishment sees it and decides to licence them...... I have a weapon upstairs that puts out 90ft/lbs, is quite capable and is, in fact, used rather a lot by our American cousins to take Bear, Moose, Elk etc... very accurately out to about 50 yds and would if on target probably work to 100yds. Put in perspective we are talking the same type of game you would use something like a .308 or bigger for although not potentially out to such extreme ranges of 600-1000 yards.

 

You can get them from here http://www.bowsports.co.uk and by simply unscrewing the target point and replacing with a broadhead available here http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trk...-All-Categories you have something which, in the right (or wrong, depending on your point of view) hands is far more lethal than a .22lr rifle let alone an airgun. The only issues you have are that it is illegal to take any quarry with a bow & arrow in the UK and you may have a difficult time convincing your friendly local bobby that you have good reason to have broadhead tipped arrows as, in reality, they can only be used for one thing! Other than that all perfectly legal to acquire & own and use for target shooting but.... capable of a whole lot more!!!

 

Oh, and by the way........ you don't need a licence!!!!!

Edited May 10, 2010 by Vipa

[kdubya]

12ft lbs was not decided on lethality it was done purely for commercial reasons IE British suppliers decided to supply 12lbs as it effectively stopped the other air gun manufacturers abroad selling their guns here as in the main they all were suddenly "overpowered" so basically it was an unfair limit to prevent healthy competition and maintain the British tradition of ripping off joe soap.

 

KW

[hyflier]

12ft lbs was not decided on lethality it was done purely for commercial reasons IE British suppliers decided to supply 12lbs as it effectively stopped the other air gun manufacturers abroad selling their guns here as in the main they all were suddenly "overpowered" so basically it was an unfair limit to prevent healthy competition and maintain the British tradition of ripping off joe soap.

 

KW

 

 

Yeah, ............... well..... Thats what I meant