With the fire arms certificate what velocity or muzzle energy are you allowed to have with your air rifle? Is your caliber also limited? I would also be interested in other countries rules other than England. Thanks just curious.
Question for folks in England concerning FAC?
- Thread starter Monkyshine
- Start date
Not the information you were looking for ( I am in TN) but a start and I'm certain someone suffering, err, living under those rules will be right along.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_gun_laws
John
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_gun_laws
John
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When I left the UK the energy allowed for an air rifle was 12 fpe, I believe it was 6fpe for pistols but I am not 100% certain on that, it might have been as low as 4fpe. They do not go by velocity it is purely by fpe. The terrible thing about it is that if for some reason you get an air rifle that is slightly over that and came that way stock it is up to you the owner to make sure it is only 12fpe when you use it. They actually test the guns in the field with the pellets you are using, to make sure the energy is not more than 12 fpe, if it is then you are in big trouble. I am not sure how much in the field testing they actually still do but it does not pay to go over the 12fpe limit, fines can be extremely high. Neil.
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Anything above 12fpe for a rifle and 6fpe for a pistol are considered firearms in the UK. There does not appear to be any limit to the power based upon FPS or FPE once it is FAC rated. Here are the current regs as of December 2015. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/479794/Guidance_on_Firearms_Licensing_Law_Nov_2015_v16.pdf
i have not lived there since 1993 and I know things have changed a lot due to the push for VCR (violent crime reduction)
i have not lived there since 1993 and I know things have changed a lot due to the push for VCR (violent crime reduction)
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Monkeyshine,in Australia it is very simple.There is no distinction between air powered or powder powered,-they are rifles, so a Class A or B Longarm firearms licence is required in my state of Victoria.A Class C is required for semi-automatic or auto loading rifles. PIstols are an other separate category which requires backflips and jumping through hoops, club membership,storage inspection and valid reason for ownership. Self protection is not a valid reason,if you were wondering.
I envy you guys that can take a small pest in your yards with an airgun.A precise,well thought shot to cull vermin or pests is more humane and ethical than a trap or poisoned bait.I might as well use a 12 gauge or 300WM.The penalty would be the same.
Paul.
I envy you guys that can take a small pest in your yards with an airgun.A precise,well thought shot to cull vermin or pests is more humane and ethical than a trap or poisoned bait.I might as well use a 12 gauge or 300WM.The penalty would be the same.
Paul.
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In Norway there are no restrictions on 4,5mm except you need to be 18+ to buy it. On other/higer calibers (.22 .25.30) you need to apply to the police office and get a certification / licence on that weapon. But you are only allowed to hunt with gunpowder propelled ammunition. Leaving bow and air gunners to be a rare and often considered a weird breed.
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With FAC - no specific limit on the FPE of your air rifle (not applicable to 'pistols' which are all limited to a max of 6 FPE).
Without FAC - 12 FPE max for air rifles and 6 FPE max for 'pistols' (defined largely by length of the barrel). Without FAC means that Joe Public can walk into any airgun shop and purchase that type of airgun - the shop is required to maintain a basic record of the sale. There are no restrictions on the number of non FAC airguns one can have but one is expected to keep them locked away (from children) at home (but I've not heard of this being checked since it came in 5/6 years ago). 'Mail order' of new airguns (and certain 'pressure bearing parts') is not permitted as it would by-pass the record of sale criteria.
It is the non FAC owners responsibility to ensure his airgun(s) do not exceed the power limits.
Without FAC - 12 FPE max for air rifles and 6 FPE max for 'pistols' (defined largely by length of the barrel). Without FAC means that Joe Public can walk into any airgun shop and purchase that type of airgun - the shop is required to maintain a basic record of the sale. There are no restrictions on the number of non FAC airguns one can have but one is expected to keep them locked away (from children) at home (but I've not heard of this being checked since it came in 5/6 years ago). 'Mail order' of new airguns (and certain 'pressure bearing parts') is not permitted as it would by-pass the record of sale criteria.
It is the non FAC owners responsibility to ensure his airgun(s) do not exceed the power limits.
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Thanks for all the information. Its amazing the different rules per country. It seems Mr paulcat has some very stringent rules as my favorite airgun past time is bird/rodent pest control. I still like clips from all countries shooting/hunting techniques.
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Among most calibers and air rifles, and I qualify this because I don't know of anyone with a working big bore of the type that Quakenbush makes, there are no issues with power. Most firearms officers (usually have used airguns) I've come across have the sense to query a person wanting a 30ftIb or 40ftIb .177 airgun!
There is a lot of misinformation about obtaining a Firearms Certificate in England. It is actually quite a simple and straight forward process, as long as you follow guidance from BASC (be a member, the responsibility element/legal support/insurance) helps your application. People with Criminal history will face problems, but less serious criminal issues do not necessarily prevent....prime example being "non-payment of TV licence". A police officer will ask various questions, to make sure that you are responsible and have thought about what you are doing, principally in weapons handling and safety of others. Obviously you need sufficient appropriate land to justify a higher powered air weapon, but the police do tend to look at an airgun application more favourably than rimfire or .243 application (less risk for a start).
Anyone lacking an FAC but found with an air rifle just over 12ftIb should not admit anything, as Police forces (just as with gun stores) do not have the qualified people or proper equipment to accurately test (for legal purposes) an air rifle. Be polite, and in most cases I know of the person (perhaps because I live in the countryside) has been let off if they dismantled it on the spot and has it reassembled by a gunsmith and chrono'd by them and such a result then reported back to Police within 7 days, or the air rifle has been confiscated temporarily and a fine/summary offence issued.
However, I have heard of people actually going to jail for holding rifles in the 30ftIb class. For people without sufficient land/reason to have a 25-45ftIb rifle I really would question their intent, as you really are likely to cause injury to someone at some point.
There is a lot of misinformation about obtaining a Firearms Certificate in England. It is actually quite a simple and straight forward process, as long as you follow guidance from BASC (be a member, the responsibility element/legal support/insurance) helps your application. People with Criminal history will face problems, but less serious criminal issues do not necessarily prevent....prime example being "non-payment of TV licence". A police officer will ask various questions, to make sure that you are responsible and have thought about what you are doing, principally in weapons handling and safety of others. Obviously you need sufficient appropriate land to justify a higher powered air weapon, but the police do tend to look at an airgun application more favourably than rimfire or .243 application (less risk for a start).
Anyone lacking an FAC but found with an air rifle just over 12ftIb should not admit anything, as Police forces (just as with gun stores) do not have the qualified people or proper equipment to accurately test (for legal purposes) an air rifle. Be polite, and in most cases I know of the person (perhaps because I live in the countryside) has been let off if they dismantled it on the spot and has it reassembled by a gunsmith and chrono'd by them and such a result then reported back to Police within 7 days, or the air rifle has been confiscated temporarily and a fine/summary offence issued.
However, I have heard of people actually going to jail for holding rifles in the 30ftIb class. For people without sufficient land/reason to have a 25-45ftIb rifle I really would question their intent, as you really are likely to cause injury to someone at some point.
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To add:
There are no Calibre restrictions, FAC or non-FAC, in the UK.
Hunting is permitted with either level of FPE - Species limited largely to 'Pests' (with suitable permission of the landowner if not on your own land).
Actually, the UK picture is far less gloomy (for non FAC owners) than is often reported - provided the airgun owner follows quite sensible & practical safety guidelines, he is left entirely alone with no paperwork or checks.
There are no Calibre restrictions, FAC or non-FAC, in the UK.
Hunting is permitted with either level of FPE - Species limited largely to 'Pests' (with suitable permission of the landowner if not on your own land).
Actually, the UK picture is far less gloomy (for non FAC owners) than is often reported - provided the airgun owner follows quite sensible & practical safety guidelines, he is left entirely alone with no paperwork or checks.
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Heisann, yeah the bliss of no restrictions yet they are able to take some of the fun out of it
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Lithuanian laws has no limitation for caliber, only power at the muzzle is taken into account:
Everything up to 1.8ftlb (2.5J) is considered "a toy" and there are no limitation for buying/posessing.
Everything from 1.9 (2.6J) to 5.5 ftlb (7.5J) is rated "a category D weapon" and requires you to be of age 18 to buy/possess.
Everything from 5.6 ftlb (7.6J) to infinity, as long as it is not a modern firearm, is considered "a category C weapon" and requires a special permit to buy/posess. Quite easy to obtain if you have no criminal reccord. That permit is good for mentioned airguns, gass pistols, blackpowder and Flobert.
Anything that is considered a modern firearm requires a full FAC licence.
Everything up to 1.8ftlb (2.5J) is considered "a toy" and there are no limitation for buying/posessing.
Everything from 1.9 (2.6J) to 5.5 ftlb (7.5J) is rated "a category D weapon" and requires you to be of age 18 to buy/possess.
Everything from 5.6 ftlb (7.6J) to infinity, as long as it is not a modern firearm, is considered "a category C weapon" and requires a special permit to buy/posess. Quite easy to obtain if you have no criminal reccord. That permit is good for mentioned airguns, gass pistols, blackpowder and Flobert.
Anything that is considered a modern firearm requires a full FAC licence.
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Monkyshine once you have an FAC there is no limit on the power of the air rifle, basically that is a fire arms license which any air rifle of more than 12fpe is qualified as. It is like asking how powerful of a fire arm are you allowed, there is no power restriction, but there are restrictions when you get into automatic weapons, just as there are over here. I am not in full agreement with the person who said getting an FAC in the UK is not that hard. My father had a shotgun in Scotland and we were told he would have to have a gun safe installed in the house, have it inspected by the local police force, have the permission of a local farmer or large land owner to shoot on his property, or belong to a gun club and have his gun held there. This was all for an ex military RSM who had spent 28 years in the army and had no police record. Maybe there is a slight difference for getting an FAC for an air rifle but I very much doubt it, a fire arm is a fire arm under the eyes of the law.
I remember the days when we used to wander around with our pellet guns without a care in the world in the fields of Essex, but I think those days are long gone. Funny how so many things we took for granted as kids are now almost forbidden now! Neil.
I remember the days when we used to wander around with our pellet guns without a care in the world in the fields of Essex, but I think those days are long gone. Funny how so many things we took for granted as kids are now almost forbidden now! Neil.
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I am rather surprised to read than owning a gun cabinet and basic check to see whether the person has a simple reason (which as suggested can be permission to shoot/member of a gun club) to have a shotgun is considered a "hard" process.
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Neil I like to watch the videos on the ways you guys hunt the different field birds and squirrels. Most of the fellows in UK will say my gun is FAC but do not give its energy. I like to connect the hunters fpe to his type of shooting. Mainly curosity, I like the blind set up in hedge rows with decoys to shoot the piegon, magpies and crows! Looks like a good time. I dont think I ever heard anyone say 40fpe or more, just made me wonder about limits. My gun on high is 50fpe but also dials back to 20fpe. I thank everyone again for there response, did not realize this forums imput is so global.
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