Why do airgun owners seem to think different laws apply?

[tomblincoe]

You don't have to actually try non lethal methods for controlling pest bird species, you just have to satisfy yourself that non lethal methods won't be successful...

 

Tom

[Dekers]

I TOTALY AGREE JUST EARLYER THIS WEEK A LURCHER WAS FOUND IN MY HOME TOWN OV WIGAN THAT HAD BEEN SHOT 17 TIMES WITH AN AIRGUN THAT CAUSED IT TO HAVE A PUNCHERD LUNG AND A CRACKED LEG BONE,, LITTLE IDIOTS WHO DO THAT ARE GIVING US SAFE COMPETENT SHOOTERS A SERIOUS BAD NAME .

 

 

Ok, I may have this confused with something else, but if it is what I think, it was debated at length and obviously a shotgun discharge not airgun.

 

As so often, emotive sensationalised reporting, and then the logical suggestion that a farmer let go at it whilst ****** were involved in illegal activities, so, perfectly legal.

 

Again, that is all assumption as NOBODY seems to know, but the X-Ray with the article clearly showed shotgun pellets not airgun, so the reporting was seriously flawed without ANY other knowledge!

[HW682]

Walking on private land with an Airgun with a pellet in the breach,even if the gun is not cocked,is Tresspassing with a firearm so laws do exist,

 

Just so no one reads this the wrong way, it is worth pointing out that it makes no difference whether it is loaded or not or covered or not.

From 1968 Firearms Act.. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27

 

 

 

19 Carrying firearm in a public place.E+W+S

A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the proof whereof lies on him) he has with him in a public place

 

[F45

(a)a loaded shot gun,

 

(b )an air weapon (whether loaded or not),

 

(c )any other firearm (whether loaded or not) together with ammunition suitable for use in that firearm, or

 

(d)an imitation firearm.]

 

20 Trespassing with firearm.E+W+S

(1)A person commits an offence if, while he has a firearm [F47or imitation firearm] with him, he enters or is in any building or part of a building as a trespasser and without reasonable excuse (the proof whereof lies on him).

(2)A person commits an offence if, while he has a firearm [F47or imitation firearm] with him, he enters or is on any land as a trespasser and without reasonable excuse (the proof whereof lies on him).

(3)In subsection (2) of this section the expression “land” includes land covered with water.

 

[Vince Green]

Any comment on this subject can easily be misunderstood and I will state first that I have no anti airgunner feelings at all.

 

The fact that airguns can be obtained without a licence, suggests to some owners that they have no liabilities.

Their name and address is not held by the Police, nobody has had to sign a reference form, they have nothing to "lose" if caught offending.

The guns and ammunition are relatively cheap and there is a perception that airguns aren't dangerous.

 

The attitude of some airgunners is much the same as some bicycle riders (and for the same reasons).

 

I have frequently asked people with airguns to leave private property they had no right to be on and the, "its only an airgun" reply comes out every time.

Whilst some knew they were chancing their arm, others actually looked quite confused when told they could not just wander where they liked.

 

I think attitudes would change if airguns were subject to licence and penalties also brought up to SGC levels.

 

You will always get the criminal element poaching, running dogs, using FAC and SGC weapons and no doubt after licensing, you could add airguns to that list.

However, I believe it would create a different ethos and bring offending levels down dramatically.

Absolutely spot on, most of them don't know any better. The ones that do don't feel threatened. "If I can own an air rifle without a licence it can't possibly be illegal to go over the woods/fields to shoot it" thats how they see it.

 

Your comparison with cyclists is perfect, says it all really

 

Licencing air rifles would damage the trade more or less fatally given the dire state its in now. It would possibly criminalise millions of people like my brother in law who has an old air rifle in the back of the airing cupboard somewhere that hasn't been fired for twenty five years.

 

Look what happened with the Brocock air pistols. One day legal next day jail.

Edited April 14, 2013 by Vince Green

[timmytree]

Some very interesting arguments in there, I would emphasize that every section of society has its irresponsible and ignorant element, whether thats shooters, cyclists, motorists, horse riders whatever.

I'm a lifelong airgunner, used to have sgc but gave it up because I prefer fieldcraft to noise and smoke!

I have helped young airgunners in the past and have been horrified by the complete lack of knowledge about the rules and regulations.

Not just the youngsters though, many experienced shooters are not au fait with the rules and can be caught out. Species identification always shocks me, how many people still can't tell the difference between rooks and crows or the different feeding habits of each species? Even so called professionals struggle with that.

Airguns are freely and widely available, many parents let their kids have one because they think it's little more than a toy, dealers and shops may have a little more sense but I've seen lads come out with an airgun when I wouldn't have let them have an elastic band.

I hate to say it but I'm starting to think that a form of licencing may be needed to protect what we have even if it does make things more difficult. The problem will be that no control will take into account the many 1000s of air weapons already out there, therefore making otherwise sensible people into potential court cases.

So education is the key. Stronger control by parents who should be responsible for what little Johnny is doing.

Compulsory range time and safety training with the sale of new weapons and much harsher sentencing for those that break the law.

As usual, the law abiding and resposible shooters will be tarnished by the idiots and will end up losing out when power levels get reduced.

[Vince Green]

You have to also remember that a lot of minor airgun incidents that really amount to nothing more than regrettable sillyness end up being reported as firearms crimes in the same way as an armed robbery would and distort the figures. Then the antis bend them around a bit and throw them back at us out of context.

 

I am no fan of the RSPCA but when they keep getting ducks, swans, cats etc brought in with pellets in them its hard to keep saying thats not down to us.

 

Guilt by association

Edited April 14, 2013 by Vince Green

[the pigeon man]

Ad day it's more kids not air gun owners all together

[wymberley]

To the best of my knowledge, there would appear to be no problems - worthy of note certainly - in my neck of the woods. If, however, there is deemed to be a problem generally then there may be a simple answer which causes little difficulty for the vast majority of air gunners who are law abiding, will hopefully concentrate the minds of those that are not, enable punishment to be dished out in cases where additional violations can not be addressed for whatever reason and, finally, progressively reduce the number of unrecorded guns kicking around. Now, I'm not for one minute saying it's 100% effective, but what legislation is?

 

I think the 10/- equated to a week's paper round earnings. This was the cost of the Gun Licence - which included shotguns, but would not now be applicable - which you picked up annually from the Post Office. My first is on the wall behind me, dated 9:26 am on 26 Aug 1958. Other than an annual trip to the Post Office and forking out a fee equivalent to the current paper round rate, the good guys won't be greatly effected. Those less concerned will find the legal purchase of pellets and guns will be beyond them. I'll stop there, you've got my drift.

 

PS I don't believe it!!!!!

 

Please put my first sentence on hold. Oppo has just popped in, he's got an iffy IR torch that needs looking at. I missed the conversation last night but the new ratman turned up last night to show his face. He's been given permission for non FAC air rifle and NV. For want of a better expression - and politely - I'll have to read the riot act which the farmer leaves to me - some land is estate and insurance is a must, for example. Now, I wasn't there to ask, but he was saying foxes are being dropped with non FAC air but emphasised that he does not do it. Until I speak, I don't know whether he means locally or it's 'internet chat', but I'll find out.

 

Amazing! You try and remember that you were once young and occasionally needed a clip around the ear and therefore attempt to have a reasonable approach: Then barely 30 minutes later you hear this!

Edited April 23, 2013 by wymberley

[Reece]

Some very interesting arguments in there, I would emphasize that every section of society has its irresponsible and ignorant element, whether thats shooters, cyclists, motorists, horse riders whatever.

I'm a lifelong airgunner, used to have sgc but gave it up because I prefer fieldcraft to noise and smoke!

I have helped young airgunners in the past and have been horrified by the complete lack of knowledge about the rules and regulations.

Not just the youngsters though, many experienced shooters are not au fait with the rules and can be caught out. Species identification always shocks me, how many people still can't tell the difference between rooks and crows or the different feeding habits of each species? Even so called professionals struggle with that.

Airguns are freely and widely available, many parents let their kids have one because they think it's little more than a toy, dealers and shops may have a little more sense but I've seen lads come out with an airgun when I wouldn't have let them have an elastic band.

I hate to say it but I'm starting to think that a form of licencing may be needed to protect what we have even if it does make things more difficult. The problem will be that no control will take into account the many 1000s of air weapons already out there, therefore making otherwise sensible people into potential court cases.

So education is the key. Stronger control by parents who should be responsible for what little Johnny is doing.

Compulsory range time and safety training with the sale of new weapons and much harsher sentencing for those that break the law.

As usual, the law abiding and resposible shooters will be tarnished by the idiots and will end up losing out when power levels get reduced.

 

Airgun offences are in decline. I believe by 70% over the past 5 years. That has been put down to an education campaign, and stricter enforcement of existing laws.

 

Airguns are low power and are unattractive to criminals, so provided that existing laws are enforced, misuse by irresponsible individuals will cease to be a problem. I see no reason for an airgun licensing scheme. Irresponsible people aren't going to hand their guns in or apply for a license.

[HDAV]

All crime is down...

 

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/period-ending-december-2012/stb-crime-in-england-and-wales--year-ending-december-2012.html#tab-Offences-involving-firearms

 

Data for air weapons is unfortunately missing