Post edited 8:41 pm – December 20, 2009 by SipsiCymreig

Firearms Acts 1968-1997/Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2004

Air Rifles and Young Persons-17 years and over.

You may buy,borrow or hire an air rifle and it's ammunition and may use it where you have permission to do so.

Aged 14-17 Years.

You may not buy or hire an air rifle or ammunition.You may not receive an air rifle or ammunition as a gift but you may borrow one.If you are under 17 then your air rifle and ammunition must be bought for you by someone over 17,normally your parent,guardian or some other responsible adult.

If you are aged between 14-17 years you may use an air rifle on private premises without supervision with the consent of the occupier,normally the owner or tenant.However,if you allow a pellet to go outside the premises whilst you are shooting then you commit a criminal offence.

You may not carry an air rifle in a public place unless you are supervised by a person of 21 years or over and you have a reasonable excuse to do so,for example, whilst on the way to a club or land where you have permission to shoot.It is common sense to carry the air rifle in a gun cover and you should always ensure that it is unloaded.

Young Persons under 14 years

If you are under 14 you may not buy,hire or receive an air rifle or it's ammunition as a gift.

You may borrow an air rifle and use it under supervision on private premises with permission from the occupier, normally the owner or tenant.the person who supervises you must be of or over 21 years of age.

If a pellet leaves the premises whilst you are shooting then both you and the person supervising you commit a criminal offence.

parents or guardians who buy an air rifle for use by a person under 14 years old must exercise control over it at all times even in the home or garden.

Public Places.

A public place is anywhere where the public are allowed to go even though they may have to pay to be there.Roads,streets,footpaths,public parks,play areas and canal towpaths are all examples of public places

It is an offence for anyone to have an air rifle,whether it is loaded or not,in a public place unless they have reasonable excuse for doing so,for example,whilst on the to a gun shop or a shooting club or back from either.

Trespass.

It is against the law to trespass on any land(including land covered by water) or in any building,while you have an air rifle with you.Whether the the gun is loaded or not and whether or not you have pellets with you is irrelevant.If you go onto land without permission,you are trespassing,unless there is some right of access for the public.If there is a right of access to the public the restrictions set out above will apply.

Trespass with an air rifle is “armed trespass”a criminal offence,the penalties for which can be severe. 

As well as the offences already mentioned,it is against the law in England and Wales,to fire an air rifle within 50 feet of the centre of a highway,if by doing so you cause any member of the public,using that right of way,to be injured,interrupted or endangered.This offence could be committed,for example,by someone on private property close to a road who uses an air rifle in a way which endangers people on the road. 

THE WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981

All birds and animals are protected by law.It is often thought that those birds and animals designated as pest species can be shot at any time and by anyone.This is not so.ONLY “authorised persons”that is those who have proper permission,are allowed to do so.For this purpose the Secretary of State issues a general licence every year.

Always ensure that you are authorised by the land owner or person with the sporting rights to shoot where you intend to and that you know precisely where the boundaries are located.

Hope that clears a little confusion up, but this kind of moronic behaviour should be reported to the police.I too have an air rifle but only use it as the law above states,these irresponsible idiots give responsible air gun owners a bad name I would dearly like them stopped. The RSPB may be interested in this episode. 

Post edited 7:01 pm – December 24, 2009 by SipsiCymreig

This episode and any more like it should be reported to Derbyshire Constabulary Wildlife Crime Unit one of their liaison officers will contact you,if not ask to speak to Adam Galley PC 2315 he is one of the wildlife liaison officers for this area,based at Bolsover he does cover all of North Derbyshire.

The above laws have obviously been infringed,they do take a serious view on any matter relating to wildlife crime.Please let me know how you get on.

The wildlife crime unit can also be contacted using Derbyshire Constabulary web site this gives a list of all wildlife liaison officers for the whole of Derbyshire.