AIRGUN
ANY GUN CAN BE LETHAL IN THE WRONG HANDS
IF YOU DON'T NEED IT, GET SHOT OF IT
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If you already own an airgun this leaflet is for you. Read it, ask yourself three questions, and think carefully about your answers.
Do I need an airgun for my home or job?
Do I know the law well enough to shoot an airgun legally?
Can I be sure it will be used safely and never get into the wrong hands?
If your answer to even one of these questions is 'NO' - then maybe it's time to get rid of the airgun.
We all have things lying around the house that we keep out of habit. Things we use rarely if at all. Things we might have bought for a purpose that no longer seems relevant. But not all of them have the potential to maim or even kill.
That's a key question for parents and families around the country. It may be legal to keep it, but is it worth the risk?
If you want to dispose of your airgun you can hand it in to any local police station in Scotland.
If you don't need it, get shot of it.
AIRGUNS AND THE LAW
Air weapons are firearms and fall under the control of firearms legislation. If you are an airgun shooter, you must make sure that you know the law and keep within it. If you don't, you could find yourself in court facing charges ranging from heavy fines right up to life imprisonment.
The following is a list of the laws by which you must abide. If you are surprised by how long it is, maybe it's time to think again about owning an airgun.
- It is an offence to sell or make a gift of an air weapon to a person under 17 years of age.
- It is an offence for anyone under 17 to carry an air weapon unless:
- they are under the supervision of a person aged 21 or more or;
- they are over 14 and on private land and have permission from the occupier or;
- they are shooting as a member of an airgun club or an approved club; or
- they are shooting at a shooting gallery for miniature rifles.
- It is an offence for a person under 17 shooting unsupervised on private land to allow any pellets to cross the boundaries of the property.
- It is an offence for any person, regardless of age, to be in possession of an air weapon and ammunition in a public place without a reasonable excuse. A reasonable excuse might be carrying a gun to and from a target shooting club or to and from land on which you have permission to shoot. It would also include taking a gun to and from a gunsmith for repair or service or taking a new gun home from the dealer.
- It is an offence to have an air weapon and ammunition if you are a person prohibited from possessing a firearm by section 21 of the 1968 Act. This section prohibits anyone who has been sentenced to a custodial sentence of between three months and three years from possessing an air weapon or other firearm for five years from the date of release. Anyone sentenced to three years or more is prohibited for life.
- It is an offence to have an air weapon with you while in a building or on land without the consent of the owner or without reasonable excuse.
- It is an offence to shoot protected wild birds or animals. When live quarry shooting, it is your responsibility to make sure that you only shoot legal quarry.
- It is an offence to shoot pet animals.
- It is an offence to have an air weapon with intent to damage property.
- It is an offence to have an air weapon with intent to endanger life.
If you use your gun safely and responsibly, you will be in no danger of committing an offence. If you are in any doubt, seek appropriate advice or consider handing in your airgun to your local police station.
CONCLUSION
Airguns are capable of inflicting severe injuries and, tragically, even killing people.
A minority abuse air weapons. Irresponsible antisocial shooting involves breaking windows, shooting pets and protected wild birds, and even sniping at the emergency services. Communities will not stand for this and that's why the current laws are under review.
Most airguns don't require a licence. While there are certain restrictions, most people can own them. But are all the legal airguns in circulation really needed?
If you don't need an airgun, then give your neighbours a helping hand. Hand it in to the police.
If you have any doubts about the safety or security of an air weapon in your possession, get it out of harm's way. Hand it in to the police.
If you think that weapon could possibly fall into the wrong hands, do your bit to avoid a tragedy. Hand it in to the police.
You can dispose of any legally-owned air weapon safely by taking it to any local police station in Scotland. There will be no charge - legal or financial - to you for doing so. No penalty will be imposed for the possession of the gun.