- Firearms are strictly controlled in the UKpistol image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
It is a criminal offense to possess a firearm in the UK without a license, unless the firearm is an air pistol within the strictly-defined limits on approved air pistol power. There are over 30 firearm offenses in the UK, ranging in severity from fines in excess of 2,000 pounds to life imprisonment; plus the potential for civil action if another person, or their property, is damaged by your firearm. It is therefore essential to know about the three key law covering British air pistol use. - Air pistols are exempt from some general provisions outlawing firearms in Britainmarqueur paintball image by RomainQu??r?? from Fotolia.com
Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 makes it an offense to purchase, sell or otherwise acquire an air pistol designed or modified to use a self-contained gas cartridge system; or which is designed or adapted to fire "any noxious liquid, gas or other thing." Air guns are excluded from the general provision that firearms must have a barrel longer than 30 centimeters. - The 1969 rules determine which air weapons are "specially dangerous" and therefore to be treated like standard firearms for the purposes of the Firearms Act 1968. Following the decision in DPP v Street [2004] TLR 50, air pistols capable of firing missiles with in excess of 6 foot pounds of energy are classified as "specially dangerous" unless designed only for use underwater. Air pistols disguised as something else are also "specially dangerous".
- The 1997 act extended the Firearms Act 1968 and the Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969 so all regulations on air weapons, including air pistols, also covered weapons powered by compressed carbon dioxide. The effect of this legislation is simply to extend the range of weapons covered by the term "air weapon", including air pistols, and so limit the power of newer weapons.
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