Air Rifle Transport / Law Question

[HeltorChasca]

One for the experts please...!

I've read up all I can find on air rifles and the law on the BASC site, but I'm after the answer to something quite specific:

A permission I have requires walking from my front door, down my road, up another road, down a cycle track, across a field and onto the permission land. I could drive, but a walk is nicer.

All I can find on the BASC site specific to this situation is the phrase, "Whenever you are in a public place you should carry the rifle in a gun cover and always ensure that it is unloaded and not cocked."

I just feel a bit odd walking down a public road with a rifle in a bag. Very obviously I would not be loading/shooting until Iam on the land. Can anyone enlighten me and tell me where I stand within the eyes of the law?

Many thanks all.......hc

 

[British Red]

No problem. Have your permission letter (or better a copy of it) with you and your insurance, and the gun unloaded and cased. Your legal even without them, but it explains why you are transporting them. I've walked down a High St. with a Lee Enfield .303 in a bag.

Red

 

[Nonsuch]

If he's crossing someone else's private land which isn't a right of way where he doesn't have shooting rights, isn't that armed trespass or going with intent to poach, even if the gun is in its slip ?

NS

 

[HeltorChasca]

Thanks for the reply Red. Last fired a .303 about 15 years ago on a trip to Africa. Real thing.

If he's crossing someone else's private land which isn't a right of way where he doesn't have shooting rights, isn't that armed trespass or going with intent to poach, even if the gun is in its slip ?

NS

Thanks for flagging this up NS.

The field I'll be crossing has a public right of way footpath across it which is the direct route I would take from the cycle path to the permission land. What do you think? ...hc

 

[British Red]

You are fine HC. So long as you only carry the gun where you have a legal right to be, and its covered and secured (and not loaded) in public areas, you are good to go.

Red

 

[wattsy]

also if your rifle is a magazine fed one you can't have any pellets in the magazine even if its not loaded into the rifle

 

[HeltorChasca]

Lovely. Thanks all for your help. Rifle is a HW97KT so no magasine. Insurance is with BASC.

Just kegged my "Adults" Ginger Beer, Liquorice Root Beer and first ever batch of cider. (Got some sloe gin too) Methinks a couple of recipes for the above with squirrel, rabbit or woodies will be coming next.......b