air rifles in public?

[JonathanD]

It is indeed true I'm a firearms instructor and I used to compete in competitions worldwide. Up until recently I used to travel by train to the place I train both police and military. I used to take my own rigs and various aids with me in a range bag, and a couple of times I took some ASP red guns in. I can't tell you the hassle that I went through after transport police or other security officers clocked it. It is a sad state of affairs, but it is so not worth the hassle you have to go through if stopped. A massive stigma is attached to guns now. I even had a parent of the school my girl is at complain that I was a 'gun nut' because of my website asp9mm.com detailing a system I helped design for undercover units. Although it was after the little dear proudly declared that she could field strip a 1954 Beretta

 

[Doc]

Had a quick look into carrying guns on the tube or train, just for information.

National rail rules prohibit carrying guns on the train, but says that individual rail companies may allow a dispensation. It's on page 25 of this:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/system/galleries/download/misc/NRCOC.pdf

Transport for London apparently don't allow carriage on the tube.

Not sure about the bus companies. Of course, these are conditions of carriage when you buy a ticket, not laws of the land.

I agree it's a sad state of affairs. Part of me feels that responsible shooters should assert their legal rights, but of course no-one wants hassle, and there is always a risk you may have to prove good reason in court.
I reckon a reasonable compromise is to do what you're entitled to do, but be discreet and courteous, use a gunslip, carry copy of permission/invitation to shoot, ID/certificate and 'look respectable'.

 

[lannyman8]

hey up lads.....

in responce to the original post yes its legal. the regulations are:-

must be 18 years of age to carry
weapon must be in slip
weapon must be unloaded and un-cocked
ammo must be stored in seperate bag or pocket etc.

be descreet and dont go any place appart from where you are intending to shoot ie not to the shops or a cafe for a brew.....

i have been stopped meany times when shooting out in fields with my 12g for no apparent reason......
i even had a copper walk about 2 miles from my car to where i was shooting because it had a gun slip in it......

the reason i tell you this is simple i was doing nothing wrong and nothing happened to me after i showed my license and proof of ownership.

the same applies to all "weapons" be it fire arms or your bushcraft knife or axe......

be safe and enjoy your days shooting........

hope the above help....chris..

 

[Norton]

If you are legal ie over 18 which you are don't worry, most people wont even realise that it is a rifle inside the slip. Anyone that does will probably have a similar outlook on life as most of us on here and not be worried either, I can't help but think there are a lot of paranoid folk on this site at times.

 

[JonathanD]

I can't help but think there are a lot of paranoid folk on this site at times.

It's not the folk on this site, it's the folk not on this site

 

[leaf man]

i do not know whether it has been raised within this thread, sorry i just scanned thru, but i want to make you aware that if you are going on Crown, ie Forestry Commision land, you will be breaking crown bylaws, just by walking through the land, let alone shooting the weapon. i am forever stopping ''youths'' in my local wood and asking them to leave site before i have to take further action.
however i am sure that if you are discreet and go to point a to b without incident, joe public would be none the wiser

 

[phill_ue]

It's not the folk on this site, it's the folk not on this site

I suggest you read some of the posts above then. Don't use public transport, tape the bag up with bin bags over the top, etc. etc. It's paranoia, he wouldn't be breaking any laws. A mountain has been made out of a mole hill.

 

[Toddy]

It's called real life and folks are just trying to be helpful.

It doesn't matter *how* legal it is, the reality of the society we live in is that guns are not perceived favourably by the majority.
Either one accepts that, and gets on with things with a fair modicum of discretion, or one can reasonably expect to get oneself at best given some curious looks, or explaining to a policeman what one is up to.

Josh is a teenager, the last thing he needs is to be huckled by the polis or harangued in public by someone with an issue.

I think his question has been well and truly answered though.

Toddy

 

[JonathanD]

I suggest you read some of the posts above then. Don't use public transport, tape the bag up with bin bags over the top, etc. etc. It's paranoia, he wouldn't be breaking any laws. A mountain has been made out of a mole hill.

I can't see any posts above telling him to tape bin bags over the top or telling him not to use public transport. I advised that public transport may not be a good idea, and I stand by that if there are other alternatives. It's sound advice in this 'PC gone mad' world we live in, not only in regards to the perception of firearms nowadays, but also for the louts that would see a young lad with a gun case as a target.

 

[phill_ue]

It's not a firearm or a gun, it is an air rifle! I am amazed at the fuss created over transporting an air rifle, it is no different to moving about with a knife. Don't wave it about in public or have t on display. It goes in a gun bag, you have complied with the law. Why should anybody have to skulk about in the course of their legal activities just to appease the masses? I thought people here wouldn't want to be skulking about but be able to continue about their legal business.

 

[Toddy]

You miss the point.........it's not skulking..........it's social camouflage

cheers,
Toddy

 

[JonathanD]

It's not a firearm or a gun, it is an air rifle! I am amazed at the fuss created over transporting an air rifle, it is no different to moving about with a knife. Don't wave it about in public or have t on display. It goes in a gun bag, you have complied with the law. Why should anybody have to skulk about in the course of their legal activities just to appease the masses? I thought people here wouldn't want to be skulking about but be able to continue about their legal business.

Unfortunately, we are in the minority, and air rifle is a gun is a firearm to most. It's not yours, mine or anybodys fault but the medias. I would avoid getting on a bus with a knife too if it was obvious to others that I had one. The masses rule. That is the real world.

 

[phill_ue]

You miss the point.........it's not skulking..........it's social camouflage

cheers,
Toddy

It's bowing down to peer pressure, I'll not be skulking around thinking that I am in the wrong. On the flip side, I won't be running about with a loaded air rifle in my hands. I remember getting stopped by a Cop when I was carrying a bass guitar I had just bought back home, it was quite obvious what it was as it was in a soft guitar case. I wouldn't have minded, but he was off duty and had no reason to suspect it was anything other than a guitar! I mean, for crying out loud, have a day off!

 

[phill_ue]

Unfortunately, we are in the minority, and air rifle is a gun is a firearm to most. It's not yours, mine or anybodys fault but the medias. I would avoid getting on a bus with a knife too if it was obvious to others that I had one. The masses rule. That is the real world.

So, if you didn't have a car and wanted to get your rifle to the gun shop for some work, how would you get it there? It's nonsense, you have the legal right to go about your business unmolested and without harassment. If somebody gives you grief, call the Police on them! To be honest, I cannot see it happening.

 

[Toddy]

Yeah, but are you a nearly 19 year old, on a bus, with an air rifle, going shooting with a pal ??

Hey, I'm a little lady of a certain age, I get away with most things
I don't think I'd try an airgun in a plain slip on the bus though.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[JonathanD]

I completely agree with you Phill, I wouldn't call it skulking, but I will go out of my way to avoid any such misinterpretation or confrontation. It really bashes your confidence and taints your enjoyment of that perfectly legal activity.

And on that note I think I've stretched this out long enough.

 

[phill_ue]

Yeah, but are you a nearly 19 year old, on a bus, with an air rifle, going shooting with a pal ??

Hey, I'm a little lady of a certain age, I get away with most things
I don't think I'd try an airgun in a plain slip on the bus though.

cheers,
Toddy

Have they banned air rifles in Scotland yet, I seem to recall they were trying to go that way. Such a shame really that the actions of two or three people can affect millions! It's not really proportionate action!

 

[Dougster]

Did anyone read of the man legally shooting pigeons in a Wiltshire field, had permission, his SC and a hide?

Two overseas tourists were trespassing and reported a firearms offence.

Armed police arrested him with a 9mm to the head and confiscated his guns. It tooks 6 weeks and the Shooting Times help to get them back.

Legal or not, would you be happy standing your legal ground, withing your rights with a copper pointing a rather bigger gun at you?

Ask if anyone can give you a lift, write a petition and until the day common sense returns let yours dictate the situation.

It seems legal, but unwise.

 

[phill_ue]

Is it likely to happen though? I thought it was sensible to tell the plod you will be shooting in xyz before you go, maybe that way you won't have an ART on your doorstep or in your hide! On the other hand, how many other people went out shooting and didn't have an over reactive ART confiscating their firearms/air rifles? Keep it in proportion, it doesn't happen every weekend!

 

[Toddy]

Have they banned air rifles in Scotland yet, I seem to recall they were trying to go that way. Such a shame really that the actions of two or three people can affect millions! It's not really proportionate action!

One more incident that leaves a child dead or severely injured and watch it happen though.
Would I object ?
No. I would even hand in the guns we have in the house because to use them at all after such a ban would lead to so much hassle it just wouldn't be worth the bother.
My life does not revolve around the right to use a gun.
In fact, it doesn't impinge on it at all, just like the vast majority of people in this rather urbanised society in which we live.

If you want gun restrictions eased then the best way is not confrontation, but quiet calm capable education. Angry people are not the ones society wants to see with guns.

cheers,
Toddy