Air Rifles, the law and fetes!
Discussion
I just read a PH thread from 2006, but am aware that the laws have changed recently.
I was thinking of organising a target based (over 14 years of age) air rifle competition in the local village summer fete, but not sure if It's against the law?
I have an Air Arms TX200: http://www.straightshooters.com/ourtake/ottx200.ht... (not sure of it's power, or whether that makes a difference)?
Apart from plod, who should I be asking?
TIA
I was thinking of organising a target based (over 14 years of age) air rifle competition in the local village summer fete, but not sure if It's against the law?
I have an Air Arms TX200: http://www.straightshooters.com/ourtake/ottx200.ht... (not sure of it's power, or whether that makes a difference)?
Apart from plod, who should I be asking?
TIA
gut feel...never gonna happen. How do you age check people? how do you stop a kid shooting his mate for a laugh? What happens when someone slips and takes their eye out?
chance of anything going wrong....staggeringly low.
chance of you being allowed to do it (by common sense if nothing else)...staggeringly low.
Buy some coconuts.
chance of anything going wrong....staggeringly low.
chance of you being allowed to do it (by common sense if nothing else)...staggeringly low.
Buy some coconuts.
GetCarter said:
I just read a PH thread from 2006, but am aware that the laws have changed recently.
I was thinking of organising a target based (over 14 years of age) air rifle competition in the local village summer fete, but not sure if It's against the law?
I have an Air Arms TX200: http://www.straightshooters.com/ourtake/ottx200.ht... (not sure of it's power, or whether that makes a difference)?
Apart from plod, who should I be asking?
TIA
Why not combine the modern air rifle with the ancient fete tradition of cake baking?? prizes for the best shot (ie who makes the most mess)I was thinking of organising a target based (over 14 years of age) air rifle competition in the local village summer fete, but not sure if It's against the law?
I have an Air Arms TX200: http://www.straightshooters.com/ourtake/ottx200.ht... (not sure of it's power, or whether that makes a difference)?
Apart from plod, who should I be asking?
TIA
As other have sais- litigation its a nightmare. You might be better with a water pistol firing into a counterbalance- the winner gets the most water within the timeframe. And it'll be funny if the mates turn on each other and get wet.
PS whats happened to you? years ago you would never have dreamed of this. Yet here you are, asking about the villege fete. What sad times we live in....
GetCarter said:
Out of interest, do fairs, piers, arcades not have 'shoot the duck' air rifle stalls any more? (Like in Hot Fuzz). I used to do it every time I was on Hol as a kid.
ETA... Just read Phill's reply.. ah, that'll be it then
Does anyone remember the full auto air-tank powered air-rifles. You had to shoot out the symbol on the card. They were great. IIRC you got something like 50-100 rounds for a £1. They were THE reason I went to fairs as a kid.ETA... Just read Phill's reply.. ah, that'll be it then
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 3rd June 14:58
Edited by rhinochopig on Wednesday 3rd June 15:03
Your best bet is to contact a local club for advice, then do this thing all of the time. Generally speaking as long as you are old enough, and have permission to shoot on the land, then you're ok. If you're supervising with your weapon then I think 14 year olds are ok shooting? (it's been a while since I looked at the rulebook)
Oh, and yes the legal limit is below 12 ft/lbs - anything bought in the UK will be below this - unless tampered with by some chimp in a shed, making it an illegal firearm
Oh, and yes the legal limit is below 12 ft/lbs - anything bought in the UK will be below this - unless tampered with by some chimp in a shed, making it an illegal firearm
No licence required to own or use an air gun, legal limit is max 12lb
However, as stated 12lb will kill a rabbit easily at over 100ft, so to shoot targets at i guess 30ft is overkill and quite frankly dangerous.
the law states, you can not shoot air rifle in a public place or within 50meters of road side or public byway
your only option would be the old gat gun sort of rifles knocking out about 1 to 2 lb and corks not pellets
in short, forget it mate, its fraught with dangers and liability issues and never going to be allowed. some may even say irresponsible to try it with such young children you have so little control over
However, as stated 12lb will kill a rabbit easily at over 100ft, so to shoot targets at i guess 30ft is overkill and quite frankly dangerous.
the law states, you can not shoot air rifle in a public place or within 50meters of road side or public byway
your only option would be the old gat gun sort of rifles knocking out about 1 to 2 lb and corks not pellets
in short, forget it mate, its fraught with dangers and liability issues and never going to be allowed. some may even say irresponsible to try it with such young children you have so little control over
rhinochopig said:
GetCarter said:
Out of interest, do fairs, piers, arcades not have 'shoot the duck' air rifle stalls any more? (Like in Hot Fuzz). I used to do it every time I was on Hol as a kid.
ETA... Just read Phill's reply.. ah, that'll be it then
Does anyone remember the full auto air-tank powered air-rifles. You had to shoot out the symbol on the card. They were great. IIRC you got something like 50-100 rounds for a £1. They were THE reason I went to fairs as a kid.ETA... Just read Phill's reply.. ah, that'll be it then
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 3rd June 14:58
Edited by rhinochopig on Wednesday 3rd June 15:03
Age checking isn't a problem as they will be supervised. I think the law changed recently, but as long as the person doing the supervising is over 21 I'm sure you won't have a problem.
You would need an enclosed area, where there is no chance of any pellet straying out of bounds, or passing through your back stop and hitting something.
You would almost certainly need some form of insurance, contact the BASC for more info.
If it is going to be you, sat right next to the kid taking the shots, and your range is safe, I don't see any problem, in fact, I think it will be very popular. I'm not certain that elf & safety will see it that way though? Shame if they don't, up to you, I'd be unlikely to check with them.
Do check with your local plod though, preferably the firearms officer, and not some spotty idiot who wears the same uniform, as they tend to be a bit emotional when someone says "gun". Are you in the sticks?, people tend to be a little more relaxed about this sort of activity.
Good luck.
You would need an enclosed area, where there is no chance of any pellet straying out of bounds, or passing through your back stop and hitting something.
You would almost certainly need some form of insurance, contact the BASC for more info.
If it is going to be you, sat right next to the kid taking the shots, and your range is safe, I don't see any problem, in fact, I think it will be very popular. I'm not certain that elf & safety will see it that way though? Shame if they don't, up to you, I'd be unlikely to check with them.
Do check with your local plod though, preferably the firearms officer, and not some spotty idiot who wears the same uniform, as they tend to be a bit emotional when someone says "gun". Are you in the sticks?, people tend to be a little more relaxed about this sort of activity.
Good luck.
UK legal limit for an air rifle is 12 lb/ft. It would be worth getting the TX200 tested on a chronograph and calculating its actual power.
As long as the shooters are accompanied by an adult whilst taking part then there shouldn't be an issue regarding age limits.
In my opinion things to consider would be:
- The actual range (e.g. location at event, sufficient back stop)
- Public liability insurance
- Contact your local police firearms department, get their agreement and maybe even have a representative present on the day. This could not only act as way of confirming suitability of the temporary range but you could also invite the representative to give a talk on gun/firearm safety etc.
- Availability of suitable/qualified "coaches"/marshalls
I've probably missed somethings. In essence done right this would act as a very good way to introduce/promote safe and lawful airgunning to youngsters; which in this day and age can only be a good thing. Done wrong you could be looking at potential law suits
HTH
Jay
As long as the shooters are accompanied by an adult whilst taking part then there shouldn't be an issue regarding age limits.
In my opinion things to consider would be:
- The actual range (e.g. location at event, sufficient back stop)
- Public liability insurance
- Contact your local police firearms department, get their agreement and maybe even have a representative present on the day. This could not only act as way of confirming suitability of the temporary range but you could also invite the representative to give a talk on gun/firearm safety etc.
- Availability of suitable/qualified "coaches"/marshalls
I've probably missed somethings. In essence done right this would act as a very good way to introduce/promote safe and lawful airgunning to youngsters; which in this day and age can only be a good thing. Done wrong you could be looking at potential law suits
HTH
Jay
JayBM said:
In essence done right this would act as a very good way to introduce/promote safe and lawful airgunning to youngsters; which in this day and age can only be a good thing. HTH
Jay
Jay
I agree with that, it would be a good thing to do but I suspect the local Elf lot would be having kittens.
T_Pot said:
the law states, you can not shoot air rifle in a public place or within 50meters of road side or public byway
I stand to be corrected, but think you're wrong on this point? If I recall correctly, it is 50 feet from the center of a public highway, and only applied to shotguns or firearms.Another suggestion for the OP, is to contact his local field target shooting club. Do a google, and if you do have a club locally, I'm sure they will help. They may even offer to provide marshals or other help. The club I used to be a member of, always took up an opportunity to promote the sport.
Edited by philthy on Wednesday 3rd June 15:23
T_Pot said:
No licence required to own or use an air gun, legal limit is max 12lb
However, as stated 12lb will kill a rabbit easily at over 100ft, so to shoot targets at i guess 30ft is overkill and quite frankly dangerous.
the law states, you can not shoot air rifle in a public place or within 50meters of road side or public byway
your only option would be the old gat gun sort of rifles knocking out about 1 to 2 lb and corks not pellets
in short, forget it mate, its fraught with dangers and liability issues and never going to be allowed. some may even say irresponsible to try it with such young children you have so little control over
Just to pick up on a couple of points here...However, as stated 12lb will kill a rabbit easily at over 100ft, so to shoot targets at i guess 30ft is overkill and quite frankly dangerous.
the law states, you can not shoot air rifle in a public place or within 50meters of road side or public byway
your only option would be the old gat gun sort of rifles knocking out about 1 to 2 lb and corks not pellets
in short, forget it mate, its fraught with dangers and liability issues and never going to be allowed. some may even say irresponsible to try it with such young children you have so little control over
Whilst full power air rifles are indeed capable of dispatching rabbits upto and over 30 yrds; these same rilfes are also used in a number of target discplines where ranges vary from 10m (official Olympic sport) to 50yrds. Just because the rifle is capable of dispatching a rabbit at 30yrds doesn't make it overkill for target shooting. As with all shooting discplines as long as it is conducted safely then there should be no problem.
On air rifles in public places; I'm fairly sure that the law includes at statment along the lines of 'where it will or is likely to cause concern/distress to members of the public'. As this will be at an organised event and as long as the range is clearly marked/separated, neighbouring landowners are informed and the local firearms department have approved then there should be no problem. There are a vast number of airgunning events held in the UK on a weekly basis.
Apologies if the above sounds like a rant, it's not, I'm just keen to ensure that airgunning does not receive the bad press that it is increasingly receiving.
philthy said:
T_Pot said:
No licence required to own or use an air gun, legal limit is max 12lb
However, as stated 12lb will kill a rabbit easily at over 100ft, so to shoot targets at i guess 30ft is overkill and quite frankly dangerous.
the law states, you can not shoot air rifle in a public place or within 50meters of road side or public byway
your only option would be the old gat gun sort of rifles knocking out about 1 to 2 lb and corks not pellets
in short, forget it mate, its fraught with dangers and liability issues and never going to be allowed. some may even say irresponsible to try it with such young children you have so little control over
I stand to be corrected, but think you're wrong on this point. If I recall correctly, it is 50 feet from the center of a public highway, and only applied to shotguns or firearms.However, as stated 12lb will kill a rabbit easily at over 100ft, so to shoot targets at i guess 30ft is overkill and quite frankly dangerous.
the law states, you can not shoot air rifle in a public place or within 50meters of road side or public byway
your only option would be the old gat gun sort of rifles knocking out about 1 to 2 lb and corks not pellets
in short, forget it mate, its fraught with dangers and liability issues and never going to be allowed. some may even say irresponsible to try it with such young children you have so little control over
Another suggestion for the OP, is to contact his local field target shooting club. Do a google, and if you do have a club locally, I'm sure they will help. They may even offer to provide marshals or other help. The club I used to be a member of, always took up an opportunity to promote the sport.
Ali_D said:
GetCarter said:
Thanks for that.
It's back to the cakes then.
Actually.... this is what I did last year (you see william, fetes don't HAVE to be boring!
they're all yours aren't they?It's back to the cakes then.
Actually.... this is what I did last year (you see william, fetes don't HAVE to be boring!
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 3rd June 15:30
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