Air Gun Home :: View topic - Does this affect the status of Airguns in Britain?

AirGunEric · Site Admin

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070215/ap_on_re_eu/britain_gun_violence

I gather gun laws changed in the UK in 1998- did this have any effect on air gun owners? Also- with what is apparently a new public panic being brewed up by the media- you guys expecting any changes in the near future to how air guns are regulated/dealt with?

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

Hi Eric
I gather that from next October we will not be able to buy air guns over the internet from commercial dealers, but private sellers will be OK. The reason for this is that all commercial dealers must have a RGD (Registerd Gun Dealer) Licence and can only sell to over 18 year olds. So basically they can only sell face to face, because if you buy through the post the delivery driver does not have a RGD licence, only the person with the licence can deliver guns.
So what is going to happen in October I don't know apart from the fact that all the shops that sell guns will put ther prices up because the competition from the Internet will have gone.
Thats how I understand it.

AL

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Hmm- interesting.

Very handy little bit of regulation- if you own a gun shop. Rolling Eyes

Does this apply to ALL airguns, or only those that have required a license (those with outputs of 12fpe or more) already?

In any event- another silly change (I see alot of parallels between British and Canadian political methods in this)- I'm sure the 'mail order' vendors have had to see proof a buyer has the appropriate license when they purchase the airgun, and the delivery man was required to see identification before leaving a package somewhere to ensure it is given to the proper person- so where's the issue? Or, am I missing something and delivery drivers generally just unload boxes on a person's doorstep and walk away?

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

In the UK anyone over 18 can have an air gun without a licence or any documentation whatsoever provided the wepon is under 6fpe for pistols and 12fpe for rifles, anything over reqires a licence. To get a licence you have to be a member of a gun club for 6 months and be of good character plus there are restrictions on where you keep it and use it ect.
The new law will apply to every air wepon, there also is talk of banning all replica air guns, Walther, Colt, S&W, Ect. The Airsoft gamers are up in arms about this (sorry about the pun) and they might get an exception to the law.
A lot of our problems are caused by gun crime, that is gangs of black youths as young as 12 years old using firearms on each other, and the goverment thinks that if they ban all air wepons it will look good in the eyes of the public. They tried it after the Dunblane school Massacre and banned all firearms with a barrel of less than 16" ie pistols. Now there are more guns about than ever, the goverment brought a new law out a few years ago saying that if you are in procession of a illegal firearm you go prision for 5 years no ifs or buts, but then they make this law applicable to anyone over 21 years.
So you can see how thick our Goverment is, anyway this is how I understand things at the moment. Happy Shooting.

AL

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

I got carried away there, it applies to all air wepons.

Al

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

In answer to the other question about delivery drivers, they do not have a RGD Licence, and they cannot use a lincence belonging someone else by proxy. So only the holder of the licence can physically sell a gun. As I see it.

AL

AirGunEric · Site Admin

The same sort of thing exists in North America- it's called "feel good" politics- government makes up some law that really has no ability to solve the actual problem that may exist- but is just enough to inconvenience all sorts of normally law-abiding citizens and provide everyone else with a vague idea that maybe the politicians are doing something other than just collecting large paychecks.

herne2007 · New Member

i live in the uk wales actually and from what i understand when the new rules come in any air rifle /pistol brought from a gun dealer the person buying the gun will have to supply thier name and address and the dealer will have to keep a register.
Will this stop problems with air rifles no it will just cause hassle for everyone in the area where one fool causes a problem everyone on the list will get a visit gun checked for power output and a load of hassle .
but guns brought from a private vendor no register....
i think a black market in air rifles is about to occur in the uk as the next big idea will be fac for all registered owners and no comp for people who brought their airrifles from non registered firearms dealers..

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

Hi Herne
Welcome to AirGunHome. I didn't realise you had to give your address under the new air gun laws, but I do agree that there will be a black market in air weapons.

AL

StevieLaner7777 · Moderator

Its true that the dealer takes your details but not exactly just your address! They actually take the information from your ID card/Drivers licence that you have to have to actually purchase the gun! This method also prevents the buyer form lying about they're age and/or address!!

I know this from experience!!!

Stevie Thumb Up!

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Any idea how this would work if someone were mailed an airgun? How does it work right now?

For example- let's say I wanted to send someone an unregulated air pistol- like a Crosman 2240. How does/is it processed through to someone in the UK right now (using the postal service)- and how might this be changed?

herne2007 · New Member

i have been going through my collection of air rifles and now will add £50.00 to each when i sell them as it will be a lot less trouble for anyone to buy from me than going to a proper gun shop the list is.
HW80 .22 venom tuned.
daystate .177 huntsman QC spare cylinder.
air arms s410 .22
black fox pc1 .20 no28
bsa mercury .22
webley tracker bullpup .22
bsa airsporter s .22
any offers..

herne2007 · New Member

i think the only way around this would be to send it to a rfd for collections but i think it would be illegal now but each police force in the uk makes up its own mind regarding what is what.
when the air cartridge system was outlawed a number of police forces tired to convict people who had co2 gun why because they had a cartridge full of compressed gas..

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

If it's a private sale the new law does not apply, you can send any gun you like through the post or carrier and it does not have to go through a registerd gun dealer. Only commercial sales are affected.

AL

John Hawkes · New Member

I would be interested in your black fox pc1 .20 no28
HOW MUCH WOULD YOU EXCEPT FOR IT?
PS: Please could you send some Photos of the .
Many thanks! Very Happy

regards
John Hawkes