Air Gun Safety

There are roughly four million air rifles UK-wide and the majority of these air guns are used in a responsible and safe manner. This guide is intended to provide an overview of safe air rifle operation and the laws regarding them. It should be noted that the firearms laws in Northern Ireland as very different.

Safety should always be your primary concern. Know where the muzzle of the air rifle is pointed at all times and NEVER point it in an unsafe direction regardless of whether the air rifle is loaded or not. When shooting, ensure you know where the pellet will end up before firing.

The Law On Air Guns

There are no distinctions between air rifles and other more powerful guns for which you must hold a licence. The law state they are all classified as firearms. You should be aware that should you commit an offence using an air rifle, the penalties can be very heavy. This guide aims to make you aware of some of these laws and regulations regarding air guns but seek advice and information from BASC or your local police firearms licensing department before you operate any air gun.

Who Can Shoot An Air Gun

• 18+ years
  • There are no restrictions on buying an air rifle and ammunition, and you can use the air gun wherever you have permission to shoot.
• 14 – 17 years
  • You can
    • Borrow an air rifle and ammunition
    • Use an air rifle unsupervised only on private premises where you have permission
  • You cannot
    • Buy or hire air guns, air rifles, air pistols, or ammunition, or receive an air gun, air rifle or air pistol as a gift. Your air gun and ammunition must be bought and looked after by someone over 18, normally your parent, guardian or another responsible adult.
    • Have an air gun in a public place unless you are under supervision of someone aged 21 or over, and even then you must have a reason to do so (for example, on the way to a shooting ground.
• Under 14 years
  • You can
    • Use an air rifle while under supervision of someone at least 21 years old on private premises where you have permission from the owner or tenant.
  • You cannot
    • Buy or hire air guns, air rifles, air pistols, or ammunition, or receive an air gun, air rifle or air pistol as a gift. Your air gun and ammunition must be bought and looked after by someone over 18, normally your parent, guardian or another responsible adult.
    • Parents or guardians who purchase an air gun for use by a minor must exercise control over it at all times, even in the home or garden.

It is illegal to sell an air gun, air rifle, air pistol or ammunition to a person under 18 years of age.

Where You Can Shoot An Air Gun

Always ensure that you are authorised by the landowner, tenant or person with the sporting rights where you intend to shoot and that you are aware of precisely where the boundaries are. If possible, get permission in writing to remove any doubt.

In a public place you should use a gun cover to carry the rifle and make sure that it is unloaded and not cocked.

Trespassing With An Air Gun

Going on to private land, or water, where you do not have permission is considered Trespassing, and should you be carrying an air gun, air pistol or air rifle this is considered Armed Trespass. Armed Trespass is a serious criminal offence and carries a heavy penalty, regardless of whether the gun is loaded or if you are carrying ammunition. Only shoot where you have the permission of the landowner or tenant.

Firing Pellets Beyond Your Boundary

Unless you have received permission of the occupier of any neighbouring land, firing an air rifle pellet beyond the land where you have permission to shoot is an offence. If the shooter is under 14, the supervising adult (as well as the shooter) can both be prosecuted.

In England and Wales, firing an air gun, air rifle or air pistol within 50 feet of a highway is against the law if firing the air gun results in someone being endangered, injured or interrupted. For example, if the air gun user is shooting in their garden close to a road and the pellet ricochet onto the highway: this would be considered an offence.

In Scotland, discharging any gun in a reckless or culpable manner (shooting without regard to the safety of others) is an offence.

What You Can Shoot With An Air Gun

Target shooting - There are many clubs catering for this growing sport throughout the UK and they can offer guidance and shooting opportunities to both novice and experienced shooters alike. Various clubs have their details listed on www.goshooting.org.uk

If you should wish to practice on your own premises, ensure that you always use an effective backstop. Chipboard or soft earth is ideal but don’t use any polished or hard surfaces since these are far more likely to cause dangerous ricochets which can result in injury to the shooter and others.

Important! Remember that you are liable to prosecution should any air gun pellet end up beyond your land regardless of whether or not it was directly fired or due to an accidental ricochet.

Principal Quarry For Air Rifles

• Birds (covered by the open general licences):
  • Crows
  • Rooks
  • Jackdaws
  • Magpies
  • Jays
  • Woodpigeon
  • Collared Doves
  • Feral Pigeons
• Mammals:
  • Brown Rats
  • Grey Squirrels
  • Stoats
  • Mink
  • Rabbits

Live Quarry Shooting

Live quarry is a popular target amongst many people and shoot either where they have the landowners permission or own their own land. The exact species you can legally shoot are governed the law and also by the effective power of the air gun.

By law, all birds are protected. Whilst there are certain seasons you can legally shoot game and certain wildfowl, these are not suitable quarry for air guns. However, as long as you maintain compliance with firearms laws, certain pest bird species are legal to shoot. These species are covered by the open general license which, in simplified terms, means you can shoot the birds listed. You must always have the permission of the landowner to do so and must be in compliance with one of the reasons allowed by the licence.

All birds are protected, and although there are seasons when you can legally shoot game, and some wildfowl, they are not suitable quarry for air rifles. However, as long as you are complying with firearms law, you can shoot certain pest bird species. These are covered by open general licences which, in simple terms, mean you can shoot the birds listed, provided you have the landowner’s permission and provided you are doing it for one of the reasons allowed by the licence.

The species lists above are provided only for general information and should not be used in practice. Refer to the BASC website advice on general licences and contact your local police firearms licensing department before you shoot any live quarry.

Respect For The Quarry

Shoot within you capability and practice on targets, never on live quarry. Practice will help you establish the maximum range at which you and your rifle can consistently hit the point of aim that will ensure a clean kill (usually the head) and normally has a maximum diameter of about 1.25 inches (3cm). Regular practice will help improve your shooting and stalking skills.

Before hunting any live quarry, you should always know where the kill zone is for each species. The side-on head shot is preferred for mammals and whilst head shots are effective for birds, it can be a difficult shot to make since the target area is rarely stationary and is usually a very small target area. Placing shots to the breast or body cavity can give a bigger target area but dense feathers or a crop full of grain will limit the effectiveness of the pellet. Under the wing is a good target area to aim for.

Before starting any hunt, you must zero and check the alignment of your air gun, air pistol or air rifle and its sights. A riflescope will normally be accompanied with instructions on how to do this. If not, there are various books available that outline the process and the principles.

The responsibility lies exclusively with the shooter to be able to recognise their quarry and to be aware of when and where you may shoot the quarry. You should always positively identify your quarry before shooting.

Wounded Quarry

In order to minimise suffering, always dispatch wounded quarry with either a second shot or a sharp blow to the base of the skull. It is vital to exercise caution when dispatching wounded rodents are they can scratch and bite with a considerable risk of serious infection. Never touch rats since they may carry fatal diseases. Always lift them with a shovel or fork.

Suitable Air Rifles For Hunting

Make certain that your chosen air rifle is powerful enough to guarantee a clean kill of your chosen quarry. Do not attempt a shot of more than 30 metres. The ideal power level is just over 11 ft lb (15J). For any air gun that is more powerful than 12 ft lb (16.25J) you must be in possession of a firearm certificate.

You should never shoot partially obscured quarry or that which could easily retreat to cover before the quarry can be retrieved. As an example: you should never shoot rabbits that are two metres or less from their burrow.

Some varieties of air rifle are better suited to hunting than others. air rifles which take excessive times to charge, load and fire are not ideal for this purpose. Repeating air rifles offer the benefit of an immediate second shot which is a considerable advantage. Proper maintenance of your air rifle should be performed in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Certain pellets are design for hunting live quarry and will produce a cleaner kill than ammunition intended for target shooting. You should always ensure pellets are not deformed or damaged before loading.

Checklist In The Field

• Always check with the landowner, in good time, if you want to go shooting
• Always confirm with the landowner what quarry you may shoot
• Always respect the owner’s property, crops, livestock and fences and follow the Countryside Code
• Always treat an air rifle as though it is loaded and keep its muzzle pointing in a safe direction
• On picking up or being handed an air rifle, check immediately to ensure it is not loaded (un-cocked and there is no pellet in the breech)
• Be particularly careful when checking pre-charged pneumatic air rifles
• Before you fire your rifle, consider where the pellet could go
• Be sure that no damage can result if you miss your intended target
• Always bear in mind the possibility of a ricochet
• Never put down a loaded air rifle or leave it unattended
• Use of a silencer can minimise disturbance to wildlife, livestock and other countryside users
• Remember that all shooters will be judged by your actions and ensure that your conduct is always above reproach
• Encourage the same attitude in your shooting companions
• Above all, be safe and be sensible

Etiquette

• Always leave your shoot in the condition in which you would like to find it
• Make sure that you collect all your equipment
• It is courteous to thank the landowner and to offer him something from the bag if you have shot any edible quarry
• Take care of your edible quarry, remember it is food so store it in a cool place and never waste it
• Non-edible quarry should be disposed of discreetly, carefully and should not create a health hazard. This is a legal requirement. Under most circumstances deep burial beyond the reach of a carnivorous animal would be appropriate
• The displaying of carcasses on fences or on a gamekeeper's "gibbet" serves no useful purpose and may offend other countryside users

Care And Maintenance Of Your Air Gun

Take care of your gun; it is a precision weapon and damage or mistreatment can seriously affect its performance and safety. Do not attempt to strip an air rifle without having the proper tools, facilities and knowledge to do so safely. Many air rifles contain powerful springs which can cause serious injury if released in an uncontrolled manner.

After shooting, ensure your air rifle is dry and free from dirt before storing it. Metalwork may benefit from a wipe down with a lightly oiled rag or a silicone cloth and the barrel should be cleaned using a proper barrel cleaning kit and lightly oiled. Only use the correct lubricants in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer and always carefully wipe the oil from the bore before shooting.

All information provided above is for research and educational purposes only and should never used or followed in any practical scenario. For accurate information regarding best practice and laws, visit the BASC website or get in contact with your local police firearms licensing department.