The Law
The Law as it presently applies to non-licensed firearms in Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a complicated mix of rules assembled over many years. By non-licensed we mean those air and CO 2 powered firearms considered to be Lethal Barrelled Weapons not subject to licensing under Section 1. It is generally accepted that lethality starts at a figure of 1 Joule (0.74 ft-lb). Within this firearm category it is legal to sell a realistic looking firearm such as a CO 2 H&K P30 pistol because it qualifies as a real firearm and NOT an imitation. The ban on Realistic Imitation Firearms only applies to those guns that are NOT covered by that description - that is, those considered to be Low Powered, i.e. under 1 Joule.
Prohibited Air Pistols
All air pistols and revolvers having a barrel length of less than 30 cm AND an overall length of less than 60 cm must not be capable of producing an energy greater than 6 ft-lb. Above this power and they become prohibited weapons under Section 5(1)(aba). Air weapons that exceed these dimensional limits must not be capable of producing an energy greater than 12 ft-lb or they are Section 1 firearms.
Sale of Air Weapons
The minimum age at which anyone can purchase an air gun, pellets, knife, bladed or sharply pointed instrument OR a crossbow is 18 years. It is an offence for anyone to sell or transfer a non-licensed firearm or specified accessory, or a detachable sound moderator by way of trade or business unless they are registered with the police as a firearms dealer. Such sales and transfers must only be made on a face to face basis with the vendor taking
reasonable steps to confirm the qualifying age of the customer - and recording relevant details of the transaction.
No lower age for supervised airgunners
Persons aged under 14 may only use an air gun whilst being directly supervised by a person aged 21 or older and whilst they are on private property with the consent of the owner (e.g. an Approved target shooting club). Furthermore they may carry an unloaded air rifle (but not an air pistol) in a public place, provided that they are supervised by a person aged 21 or over and it is in a secure cover so that it cannot be fired.
Knives and the Law
It is important to distinguish between offensive weapons and illegal weapons since it is possible in law for a legal knife to
be classified as an offensive weapon - subject to confiscation and risk of prosecution. Knives where the blade folds into the handle, like a Swiss Army Knife, aren't illegal as long as the blade is shorter than three inches (7.62 cm). However, it is generally an offence to carry a knife in public without good reason or lawful authority (for example, a good reason is a chef on the way to work carrying his/her own knives).
Mail order knife products
Whilst an age limit of 18 years applies to the sale of most knife products, the transaction can be made by mail order. It is not illegal to offer such items as Bowie knives for sale by mail order. Having confirmed that the customer is at least 18 years old, the onus is on the customer to comply with all the legal obligations.
Sale of archery stuff
No restrictions apply to the UK sale and use of most archery equipment but a minimum age limit of 18 applies to the sale or lease of all crossbows with a draw weight of more than 1.4kg or 3.09lbs. Nor may they possess one unless supervised by a person aged 21 or over. (Crossbows Act 1987, (1988 in Northern Ireland)).
HOME PAGE
CONTENTS COPYRIGHT 2010 ARMEX LIMITED
LINKS