UK Airgun Law

Based on the Firearms (dangerous air weapons) rules 1969.

Age Limits

• 13 or under - may not own or purchase guns or ammunition. May only use an airgun under the supervision of someone over 21 whilst on private property with the owners permission. May only carry an air rifle in a public place if it is securely fastened and under the supervision of someone over 21. May not carry an air pistol in a public place under any circumstances.
• 14 to 17 - may not purchase guns or ammunition but may have them bought by a person over 17 on their behalf. May use an airgun unsupervised whilst on private property with the owners permission. May carry an air rifle in a public place if it is securely fastened. May not carry an air pistol in a public place under any circumstances.
• 18 or over - no limits to purchase of guns and ammunition, as long as they're within the legal power limit (see below).

Power limits

• Rifles - must have a muzzle energy less than 12ftlbs, otherwise it requires a section 1 firearms certificate.
• Pistols - must have a muzzle energy less than 6ftlbs, otherwise it requires a section 1 firearms certificate.
• Air veapons with a muzzle energy less than 1ftlbs are not classified as air weapons and are thus not subject to any restrictions.
• Muzzle energy is calculated using the formula: mv*mv*wt/450240 , where mv is muzzle velocity measured on a chronograph in ft/sec, and wt is pellet weight in grains.

Public Places

• Airguns must never be carried in a public place without good reason.
• When travelling to or from a place where you have the right to shoot, the weapon must be in a securely fastened gun cover.
• An air weapon must not be discharged within 50ft of a public highway, even if on private land where the owner has permission to shoot.

Live Quarry

• All animals and birds are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside act 1991.
• The following species are classed as vermin and may be shot only by an authorised person with permission from the landowner to control vermin on that land.
• Animals - Brown Rat, Grey Squirrel, Rabbit, House Mouse, Mink.
• Birds - Crow, Rook, Magpie, Jay, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Sparrow, Starling.
• Note that some of the above prey are not suitable for air weapons producing less than 12ftlbs.

Penalties for Misuse

• Carrying a loaded air weapon in a public place - 6 months and / or £5,000 fine.
• Trespassing with an air weapon (on or off private land) - 3 months and / or £2,500 fine.
• Possessing or using an air weapon if sentenced to 3 months or more in custody - 3 months and / or £2,500 fine In addition if original sentence up to 3 years - 5 year ban on use of firearms, or if for 3 years or more - Life ban on use of firearms.
• Killing or injuring any bird or protected animal unless authorised - £5,000 fine.
• Firing an air weapon within 15m / 50ft of a public highway - £1,000 fine.
• Selling or hiring air weapon or ammunition to person under 17 - 6 months and / or £5,000 fine.
• Making a gift of air weapon or ammunition to person under 14 - £1,000 fine.
• Having air weapon or ammunition with intent to damage property - 10 years imprisonment.
• Having air weapon with intent to endanger life - Life and / or appropriate fine.
• Using air weapon to resist or prevent arrest - Life and / or appropriate fine.
• Threatening others with an air weapon to cause them to fear unlawful violence - 10 years and / or appropriate fine.