Guns and replicas

Here's a very condensed version of the current gun law in the UK:

• In the UK you require a licence to possess firearms and shot guns.

• Each weapon must be certificated and registered by the owner with their local police department.

• Hand guns are currently illegal in the UK; however; muzzle-loading hand guns are permitted.

• It is the responsibility of the owner of a firearm to ensure that any firearm is passed onto the holder of a current firearms/shotgun licence and that the relevant police forces are informed of any change of ownership.

• The transportation of weapons is also of primary concern for police forces.

• The manufacture, import or sale of 'realistic' replica guns is illegal in the UK.

The relevant act is Firearms Act 1968.

See Met Police – Firearms licensing.

It is illegal to shoot protected wild species, and domestic animals (except for, as a last resort, dogs chasing farm animals). Wild birds are protected too. See Met Police – Illegal hunting.

Air rifles

Ownership of some air guns must be also be licensed according to their muzzle energy.

Any air gun that uses a self-contained gas cartridge system is prohibited. It is an offence to manufacture, sell, purchase, transfer or acquire such a weapon.

This web page offers advice about air rifles: https://basc.org.uk/codes-of-practice/air-rifles-code-of-practice/

This web page offers advice about legality of airsoft weapons – https://www.bespokeairsoft.co.uk/blog/demystifying-airsoft-gun-laws-uk.html

This web page offers advice about legality of BB guns – https://www.theukrules.co.uk/rules/legal/police/faq/weapons/bb-guns/

England and Wales

Air rifles are regarded as firearms when used or carried for illegal activities. See Youngmans – What you need to know about the law.

Air rifles over a certain bore need a licence and so should not be given to a non licence holder.

There are age restrictions on both purchasing and carrying air rifles in public places. There are also age restrictions on supervision of young persons with firearms.

Scotland

From 31 December 2016 anyone who wishes to use, possess, purchase or acquire an air weapon in Scotland will need to have a valid Air Weapon Certificate, or a temporary permit such as a Visitor Permit, unless they are otherwise exempt under the legislation.

The requirement applies to most air weapons with a muzzle energy exceeding 1 joule (0.74 ft/lbs), and up to 12ft/lbs (16.27 joules) for air rifles or air guns, or up to 6ft/lbs (8.13 joules) for an air pistol. There are some exceptions, for example for paintball guns or airsoft weapons.

Offers of guns

Many Moderators feel understandably very uneasy about allowing guns to be offered or requested on their groups and therefore choose not to allow firearms posts of any kind. Although it is the responsibility of the owner of the gun to ensure it is being passed on to a licenced owner it is the responsibility of us as moderators to ensure that nothing posted is illegal.

If you have a 'no firearms' rule you can reasonably refuse any posts for air rifles.

If, in the unlikely event that you do get a weapon of this nature posted on your group and having read the above you still want to allow it, you must be confident that the weapon isn't illegal before you approve it - it is a basic requirement of Freegle groups that all offers and requests are legal. The local moderator should feel empowered, if in doubt, to reject the post in order to be sure the law isn't being broken.

It is recommended that if you do allow a post, that you remove any reference that there may be to shooting live creatures, as otherwise you will be deluged with complaints.

Communities based in country areas may well be more relaxed about air rifles that those in the cities.

Sample disclaimer

We also advise that a disclaimer should be added to the footer of posts offering firearms, along the following lines.

Disclaimer

Freegle provides a list server service for the use of its members and cannot be held responsible for any transactions that take place between Members. It is the responsibility of the individual member to ensure that items posted on the list are done so within current UK legislation. Items such as firearms or shotguns require a license and it is the member's responsibility to ensure that relevant licences are held by the party that is replying to the post. Further information can be found at http://www.askthe.police.uk.

Alternative ways of disposing of guns

You may surrender unwanted guns either to a gunsmith (registered firearms dealer) or to your local police station. However, we strongly advise that you contact them first to make arrangements – carrying an unlicensed gun is an offence in itself.

There are also a large number of Internet fora and shooting clubs that facilitate the selling and passing on of guns. If rejecting an offer, you could suggest the member gives the item to a local gun club.

Back to Specific Items

See also Tasers and stun guns