From 1st July 1997 guns powered by compressed carbon dioxide (CO2) will be treated in the same way as air weapons, i.e. if they have a muzzle energy less than 12ft lbs for rifles and less than 6ft lbs for pistols no certificate will be required.
It is illegal to:
- Carry a loaded air weapon in a public place. SENTENCE: up to six months in prison or a fine of up to £5000, or both
- Trespass (enter property without the owner's consent) in a building with an air weapon. SENTENCE: up to six months in prison or a fine of up to £5000, or both
- Trespass on private land with an air weapon. SENTENCE: up to three months in prison or a fine of up to £3500, or both
- Possess or use an air weapon or ammunition if you have been sentenced to three months or more in custody. If the sentence was up to three years, you are banned from using any air weapon or other firearm for five years from the date you were released. If the sentence was more than three years you are banned for life.SENTENCE: up to three years in prison or a fine of up to £5000, or both
- Kill or injure any bird or protected animal unless you are authorised to do so under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. SENTENCE: a fine of up to £5000
- Fire an air weapon within 15 metres (50 feet) of a road or street. SENTENCE: a fine of up to £1000
- Sell or hire an air weapon or ammunition to a person under 18. SENTENCE: up to six months in prison or a fine of up to £5000, or both
- Make a gift of an air weapon or ammunition to a person under 18. SENTENCE: a fine of up to £1000
Having an air weapon or ammunition which you intend to use to damage property is a serious offence - up to ten years in prison.
If you have an air weapon which you intend to use to endanger life, or you use one to resist or prevent arrest, the offence is even more serious - life imprisonment or a fine, or both.
Follow these safety guidelines:
- Always treat an air weapon as if it is loaded.
- Always store your air weapon in a safe place.
- Make sure ammunition is stored separated from your gun and that it is stored securely.
- Never load an air weapon until it is safe to fire it.
- Never point an air weapon at anyone.
- Never take a loaded air weapon into the house.
- Never carry a loaded air weapon in public.
- Never let your air weapon out of your sight, even for a moment, unless it is safely stored away.
- Never touch someone else's air weapon without their permission.
- Never let young children touch an air weapon.
Air Weapons and Minors
On 1st October 2007, new legislation called teh Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 came into force which raised the age limit for possession of air weapons from 14 to 18 years of age. This means that no one under the age of 18 can have with him/her an air weapon unless they are supervised by someone who is aged at least 21. There are some exceptions to this new legislation:
- As part of an approved target shooting club or shooting gallery.
- If a young person aged 14 to 17 is on private premises and has the consent of the occupier to have an air weapon with him/her. However it is an offence for anyone benefiting from this exception to fire any missile beyond the premises.
Imitation Firearms
The Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 also makes it an offence under Section 19 of the Firearms Act 1968 to 1997 to have in a public place, without good reason ANY firearm. This includes all ranges of imitation/replica firearms, Air weapons, Shotguns Section 1 Firearms, BB guns and other similar soft air weapons.
Young People Under 14
If you are under 14 you cannot buy, hire or be given or own an air weapon or ammunition. You can only use one if:
- You are supervised by someone over 21;
- and You do not shoot beyond the boundaries of the place where you are using it; or You are a member of an approved club and you are using the weapon for target practice at that club; or
- You are using an air weapon at a shooting gallery for air weapons or miniature rifles.
If you are thinking of buying an air weapon, or if you already own one, make sure that you know how to use it safely.
If you are buying an air weapon for a young person, make sure that he or she knows how to use it safely and how to keep on the right side of the law.
Sales of Air Weapons by way of Trade or Business
From the 1st October 2007 anyone who sells air weapons by way of trade or business must be registered as a Firearms Dealer and keep records of sales. Sales of air weapons made by way of trade or business must be in person (face to face). Mail order sales of air weapons by way of trade or business are prohibited.
Enquiries about applying for registration as a firearms dealer should be made by calling 0845 045 45 45 or by email to: firearms.licensing@hampshire.pnn.police.uk.
Private sales are not affected and do not require either party to be registered as a firearms dealer and they do not need to be made in person. The age limit of 18 does apply to private transactions (sales or gifts).
