.22 rim fire questions

[big bad lindz]

As I am sure most of you know that it will soon be a requirement in Scotland to have a licence for an air rifle.

It has been suggested that if I wish to keep my air rifle I would be as well applying for a full fire arms certificates and start with a .22 rim fire .

As I have no great knowledge about rifles only what I have read in magazines picked up from PW I have a couple of questions that I hope the PW members I Scotland will be able to answer.

 

First off, what can I shoot with a .22 rim fire

where can I shoot, my understanding is that I will require permission from a land owner that has suitable ground.

 

I already have verbal permission to shoot with my shotgun, pigeons, crows and geese in season etc on a couple of farms in my area.

 

I am not really convinced that I wish to go down the fire arms route just in order to keep my air rifle without being able to get something in return. I only use it occasionally for the odd bunny in the garden & paddock ( +/- 2.5 acres) and also a bit of tin can shooting fun with nephews & nieces when they visit.

 

Cheers,

 

BBL

[Les*1066]

You generally need to be a full member of a Home Office approved shooting club, or have permission to shoot on land that has been passed by the police for the caliber of your choice in order to obtain a FAC.

 

If you just want an air rifle, then you will be able to buy a licence. It will cost £72 once the Law comes into effect.

http://basc.org.uk/basc-scotland/airguns-in-scotland/airgun-licensing-in-scotland-frequently-asked-questions/

[Scully]

And if you're pauyning 72 quid for an air rifle license then in my opinion you may as well go S1.

[billytheghillie]

This new law is a load of ********! I have a air rifle, but I wont be telling P.C. Plod that. How many people in Scotland own a air rifle? 1,000,s likely, I bet they wont be running out to buy a licence. Anyway the dealers who sold these rifles did not need any prove of identifaction when the buyer made the purchase. Also Police Scotland is so undermanned where are they going to get the staff to push this law?

[saddler]

At least this new **** poor law has the option for existing certificate holders to add Airweapons as a third co-terminous option for an extra £5.

[Harry Callahan]

This new law is a load of ********! I have a air rifle, but I wont be telling P.C. Plod that. How many people in Scotland own a air rifle? 1,000,s likely, I bet they wont be running out to buy a licence. Anyway the dealers who sold these rifles did not need any prove of identifaction when the buyer made the purchase. Also Police Scotland is so undermanned where are they going to get the staff to push this law?

Agree.

 

Pretty disappointed with the govt/Police Scotland for pushing ahead with this. I can understand why they want it, but they've taken their eyes off the ball here and have failed to grasp the scale of the task they've set themselves.

 

I think that is why the grant is set at £72 - it's so expensive, itl put alot off bothering and they will hand their air rifles in to the amnesty currently running. I really don't know what to do, my air rifle was bought new for me when I was 10, there's huge sentiment attached. I never use it anymore but I don't want to give it up. If i could put it on my FAC I would, it's the cheaper/easier option in the long run.

[saddler]

Agree.

 

Pretty disappointed with the govt/Police Scotland for pushing ahead with this. I can understand why they want it, but they've taken their eyes off the ball here and have failed to grasp the scale of the task they've set themselves.

 

I think that is why the grant is set at £72 - it's so expensive, itl put alot off bothering and they will hand their air rifles in to the amnesty currently running. I really don't know what to do, my air rifle was bought new for me when I was 10, there's huge sentiment attached. I never use it anymore but I don't want to give it up. If i could put it on my FAC I would, it's the cheaper/easier option in the long run.

Go for the co-terminous option at FAC renewal for £5.

Current FAC/SGC holders are covered until their present certificates expire. Mine was renewed last month so a few years down the line for me!

[Harry Callahan]

Go for the co-terminous option at FAC renewal for £5.

Current FAC/SGC holders are covered until their present certificates expire. Mine was renewed last month so a few years down the line for me!

I'm going through FAC renewal currently... upgrading to shotgun coterminous. So I should technically have 5 years to decide.

[Whitebridges]

This new law is a load of ********! I have a air rifle, but I wont be telling P.C. Plod that. How many people in Scotland own a air rifle? 1,000,s likely, I bet they wont be running out to buy a licence. Anyway the dealers who sold these rifles did not need any prove of identifaction when the buyer made the purchase. Also Police Scotland is so undermanned where are they going to get the staff to push this law?

 

If you elected a moron leader what the **** do you expect?

[TONY R]

So every little lad and his dad in scotland have to pay 75 quid each just to own a couple of Bsa mercurys

I thought it was just a registration to know who had them and a white card sort of deal, not a full blown FAC application, this is ludicrous, how can they possibly proces the applications with curent stsaffing levels and in any practical time scale.

They have not thought about this.

Tell you what! if you live in Scotland and you just got your FAC and shotguns renewed i sujest you bang in for a renewal straight away, you might get your next one just in time for this one running out.

How long is a variation going to take.

[Harry Callahan]

Itl come to England and Wales too.

 

Holyrood are maybe going about it wrong, but it's an issue which should have been adressed decades ago.

[TONY R]

Tell you what they have done, they have killed off an hole area of shooting sport activity in one fell swoop.

Unbellievable. Every kid staryts in this sport knocking rats off etc with an air gun, its just not going to happen now.

All very sad i think.

[saddler]

... it's an issue which should have been adressed decades ago.

Really?

 

Care to expand on that logic given the drop in Scottish airgun offences, the lack of any financial compensation, criminalising people for ownership of legally purchased private possessions, the overwhelming public opposition to the scheme, the failure of similar schemes elsewhere in the world, the administrative burden this will impose & the lack of suitable staff to even implement it?

Edited June 2, 2016 by saddler

[Harry Callahan]

Really?

 

Care to expand on that logic given the drop in Scottish airgun offences, the lack of any financial compensation, criminalising people for ownership of legally purchased private possessions, the overwhelming public opposition to the scheme, the failure of similar schemes elsewhere in the world, the administrative burden this will impose & the lack of suitable staff to even implement it?

I see you edit my post rather then take on my whole comment.

 

Holyrood are going about it wrong - I already said that. But Westminster should have tightened air rifle sales UK-wide a long time ago, before it ever became a devolved issue. There should have been a register of ownership, and restriction on sales long before now.

 

Drop in air gun crime? Is that a drop in convictions, or reported instances?

Either way, could that be due to the police hardly following anything up these days?

 

In this area, it's pretty regular to hear of livestock or pets shot with an air gun. That is unacceptable, and something needs to be done!

 

The licencing will punish the honest owners, as legislation always does... and yes it pretty much is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Which is why I said something should have been done decades ago.

 

This was probably argued over when the SGC/FAC licences were first introduced...

[big bad lindz]

 

If you elected a moron leader what the **** do you expect?

sorry but some of us did not elect the morons but we have to put up or shut up, even though a good proportion of the Scottish shooting community and others raised there concerns in a petition that no one took heed to.

 

I am just undecided if I want to go down the full FAC route and was hoping for some PW advice if I keep my air gun and maybe go for on a .22 rim fire to make a justification and that was the jist of my first post on the topic. What and where can I shoot with a .22 rim fire.

Edited June 3, 2016 by big bad lindz

[johnphilip]

sorry but some of us did not elect the morons but we have to put up or shut up, even though a good proportion of the Scottish shooting community and others raised there concerns in a petition that no one took heed to.

 

I am just undecided if I want to go down the full FAC route and was hoping for some PW advice if I keep my air gun and maybe go for on a .22 rim fire to make a justification and that was the jist of my first post on the topic. What and where can I shoot with a .22 rim fire.

The first post after your question has summed it up a club or written permission from a land owner then that land passed by the police. If i was you i would get my FAC. I enjoy my 22. Rimfire, and the next rifle i will be getting is a FAC airrifle, one that i can adjust the power on. On my land were it is safe to shoot i do enjoy paper punching with the rimfire it helps keeping my eye in and the price of ·22 bullets is not to bad, at around £40 for 500. I would feel as if i am getting more for my money than just paying the £72 for an air rifle. good luck in what ever you deside.

[Dekers]

You apparently have 2 farms and shoot Geese and rabbit, both are suitable for .22lr, even pigeon and crows in the right circumstances.

 

As long as the farmers are ok with a rifle then I'd go .22lr and even HMR/WMR as well, why not!

 

[ordnance]

 

This new law is a load of ********! I have a air rifle, but I wont be telling P.C. Plod that. How many people in Scotland own a air rifle? 1,000,s likely, I bet they wont be running out to buy a licence.

What is the point in having a air rifle if you caint use it, you are kidding yourself if you think the police caint or wont enforce the law. Probably not a good idea posting on a shooting forum that you are goint to break firearms laws.

 

 

12. What would happen if I had an air rifle or pistol but did not have an airgun certificate when the law comes into force on the 1st January 2017?

If you were found to be in possession of an air rifle or air pistol without a certificate then you could face imprisonment for up to two years, or a fine, or both.

Edited June 3, 2016 by ordnance

[ordnance]

Really?

 

Care to expand on that logic given the drop in Scottish airgun offences, the lack of any financial compensation, criminalising people for ownership of legally purchased private possessions, the overwhelming public opposition to the scheme, the failure of similar schemes elsewhere in the world, the administrative burden this will impose & the lack of suitable staff to even implement it?

They manage to enforce it here no problem. They will enforce it the same way they enforce the firearms laws in the rest of the UK, fear of a criminal record fine or jail.

Edited June 3, 2016 by ordnance

[Dekers]

This new law is a load of ********! I have a air rifle, but I wont be telling P.C. Plod that. How many people in Scotland own a air rifle? 1,000,s likely, I bet they wont be running out to buy a licence. Anyway the dealers who sold these rifles did not need any prove of identifaction when the buyer made the purchase. Also Police Scotland is so undermanned where are they going to get the staff to push this law?

 

 

 

Many will genuinely not know, people do have their head in the sand, simply forget about that old .22 tucked away somewhere from when they were a lad or whatever.

 

Just the same posting openly about breaking the law does nobody any favours.

 

The Brocock malarkey was a joke some years ago and it is commonly accepted there are still far more out there unlicensed than licensed, you don't really need a crystal ball to realise the Scottish effort will be a mess!

Edited June 3, 2016 by Dekers

[rjimmer]

Get a FAC if you can, but I suspect that a lot of people are owning air weapons because they would not be permitted to own anything else, at the moment.

[Bewsher500]

And we're back.....on topic....

First off, what can I shoot with a .22 rim fire - whatever is legal and you have authority to shoot, get target if in a club, add vermin and ground game, specifically ask for Fox if you want belt and braces,

Police Scotland do issue AOLQ but unlikely on first issue

where can I shoot, my understanding is that I will require permission from a land owner that has suitable ground.- Yes, you will preferably in writing for your own peace of mind. doesn't need to be , much, but be aware you will need to demonstrate an understanding in the different terminal ballistics of the 22lr vs Air and its use with good backstops at all times

 

I already have verbal permission to shoot with my shotgun, pigeons, crows and geese in season etc on a couple of farms in my area. - Job done, so long as the owner is willing to confirm to the FEO on application follow up

geese are a funny one, technically need to be shooting lead free if over wetlands although it does specify shotgun in some of the legislation it is widely regarded as all projectiles/shot

also depending on species whether they are under general license etc etc

 

I am not really convinced that I wish to go down the fire arms route just in order to keep my air rifle without being able to get something in return. I only use it occasionally for the odd bunny in the garden & paddock ( +/- 2.5 acres) and also a bit of tin can shooting fun with nephews & nieces when they visit.

its a ballache to keep a plinker, new cabinet, cost, referees, all the interviews and discussions, not to mention the 3+ months to get it processed!

 

[Dekers]

And we're back.....on topic....

 

big bad lindz, on 02 Jun 2016 - 3:34 PM, said:

First off, what can I shoot with a .22 rim fire - whatever is legal and you have authority to shoot, get target if in a club, add vermin and ground game, specifically ask for Fox if you want belt and braces,

Police Scotland do issue AOLQ but unlikely on first issue

where can I shoot, my understanding is that I will require permission from a land owner that has suitable ground.- Yes, you will preferably in writing for your own peace of mind. doesn't need to be , much, but be aware you will need to demonstrate an understanding in the different terminal ballistics of the 22lr vs Air and its use with good backstops at all times

 

I already have verbal permission to shoot with my shotgun, pigeons, crows and geese in season etc on a couple of farms in my area. - Job done, so long as the owner is willing to confirm to the FEO on application follow up

geese are a funny one, technically need to be shooting lead free if over wetlands although it does specify shotgun in some of the legislation it is widely regarded as all projectiles/shot

also depending on species whether they are under general license etc etc

 

I am not really convinced that I wish to go down the fire arms route just in order to keep my air rifle without being able to get something in return. I only use it occasionally for the odd bunny in the garden & paddock ( +/- 2.5 acres) and also a bit of tin can shooting fun with nephews & nieces when they visit.

its a ballache to keep a plinker, new cabinet, cost, referees, all the interviews and discussions, not to mention the 3+ months to get it processed!

 

 

There is no issue using a single lead projectile/bullet over wetland or dry to shoot geese in England. The Legislation relates to Shotguns. It all stems from the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement of November 1999. What makes you suggest it is widely regarded as all projectiles/shot. Rifles are commonly used for culling problem waterfowl.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2170/contents/made

 

Edit

That specific legislation is England only, check locally for Wales, Scotland and NI.

Edited June 4, 2016 by Dekers

[oowee]

Didn't know that this. Thx for posting very helpful.

 

big bad lindz, on 02 Jun 2016 - 3:34 PM, said:

 

There is no issue using a single lead projectile/bullet over wetland or dry to shoot geese in England Wales. The Legislation relates to Shotguns. It all stems from the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement of November 1999. What makes you suggest it is widely regarded as all projectiles/shot. Rifles are commonly used for culling problem waterfowl.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2170/contents/made

[Houseplant]

I am just undecided if I want to go down the full FAC route and was hoping for some PW advice if I keep my air gun and maybe go for on a .22 rim fire to make a justification and that was the jist of my first post on the topic. What and where can I shoot with a .22 rim fire.

 

In practical terms rather than the legal stuff, I got my .22LR about 6 months ago after spending much of my life shooting air rifles. It was a revelation, a little lighter (accepted, there may be exceptions), less to go wrong, quieter than a springer when subtonics/moderator are used and best of all, I'm confident that if I make a headshot on a rabbit up to 75 metres, it's going to be dead, no question. I know the calibre can kill rabbits way beyond this range, but to be honest, I struggle with groupings on paper beyond 75 metres, so haven't tried. I'd say go for the FAC.