Ridiculous leniency

[TeeDee]

In my country hunting with air rifle is forbidden no matter how powerfull it might be.

Thats interesting. No matter what the target animal? Bird, rat , Squirrel .

 

[Broch]

So - and i'm not directly disagreeing with you - how/why do some European countries have different limits? Are Rabbits tougher in Spain?

Whilst 12ftlbs can take Rabbits and Squirrels why do people whom have Air rifles as FAC rated items with 20/30 ftlbs use them? Just for target shooting? Seems somewhat unlikely.

Maybe they just can't stalk to closer distances..

There's a huge difference in 'tuning' to try and get over 12ftlbs and having a weapon at 20 or 30 ftlbs. The latter I understand. I personally use a shotgun (for flying prey) or a .22 rimfire for quarry over 30m or so, but others prefer a more powerful air rifle.

As for other countries, no idea, we have different speed limits as well

 

[Herman30]

As far as I know. @TeeDee

 

[Broch]

I wouldn't agree with that. I think we've had four different chronos on the go at once in our rifle club and the readings differed quite a bit. I certainly wouldn't rely on one.

Then factor in the police can use their own pellets* and what you think is a sub 12 ft-lb rifle can nudge just over.

*With regard to pellets, I did some testing with lube and that did add a few fps. I gather, although not tested it myself, that some heavier pellets can increase ft-lb. My springers like light pellets and I don't lube them these days but am aware that my measurements are only a guide and not a max.

It's interesting that in all the firearms inspections I've had, I have never been questioned at all about my air rifles! I suspect they just accept that if someone has a FAC they're not going to mess around with fractions of ftlbs nor risk the FAC by 'tuning' an air weapon.

 

[HillBill]

I wouldn't agree with that. I think we've had four different chronos on the go at once in our rifle club and the readings differed quite a bit. I certainly wouldn't rely on one.

Then factor in the police can use their own pellets* and what you think is a sub 12 ft-lb rifle can nudge just over.

*With regard to pellets, I did some testing with lube and that did add a few fps. I gather, although not tested it myself, that some heavier pellets can increase ft-lb. My springers like light pellets and I don't lube them these days but am aware that my measurements are only a guide and not a max.

Springers produce higher ft/lbs with lighter pellets. PCP's with heavier pellets. So if for example you're running a .22 pcp, using a 14.3 grain pellet, and its running at say 11.6 ft/lbs then that's perfectly legal, but if you put a heavier pellet, such as an AA field 16gr, then that could be running at 12.1 easily enough. You never know what the police will test with.

 

[slowworm]

It's interesting that in all the firearms inspections I've had, I have never been questioned at all about my air rifles! I suspect they just accept that if someone has a FAC they're not going to mess around with fractions of ftlbs nor risk the FAC by 'tuning' an air weapon.

Neither have I or even had my ammunition amounts counted. However, there's a piece in the latest BASC mag where someone argued with their FEO about locking up his sub 12 air rifles and had them confiscated, tested and found to be over. He lost his licence. I'm also aware of someone losing it for have two too many rounds of ammo.

 

[TeeDee]

There's a huge difference in 'tuning' to try and get over 12ftlbs and having a weapon at 20 or 30 ftlbs. The latter I understand. I personally use a shotgun (for flying prey) or a .22 rimfire for quarry over 30m or so, but others prefer a more powerful air rifle.

As for other countries, no idea, we have different speed limits as well

True.
But if sticking with the car analogy , we tend to have shared safety protocols & requirements between car makers. I'm just wondering what the range of air rifle contrived poundages are across various countries and why.

 

[Broch]

Neither have I or even had my ammunition amounts counted. However, there's a piece in the latest BASC mag where someone argued with their FEO about locking up his sub 12 air rifles and had them confiscated, tested and found to be over. He lost his licence. I'm also aware of someone losing it for have two too many rounds of ammo.

In my case, because I only use my .22 for rabbit these days (my competition days are over) and numbers vary each year from very low to very high, the inspector is more concerned with me not buying enough

 

[Paul_B]

It is irrelevant about whether any owner knows whether his is over the poundage limit. Ignorance of the law is no defence as is ignorance of you airguns poundage I reckon. However I bet they take a degree of judgement over it as they do everylaw transgression. Or the CPS do based on public interest.

Testing will be to protocols I reckon but I do not know about that just that police do have a lot of regulations wrt to guns of all kinds and it is not going to be up to the officer, or whoever does the testing, to choose what pellets or testing methodology to use.

If you are worried about this then I suggest you contact your local firearms officer who deals with applications for licences for advice and the answers. I am sure they would be happy to have that conversation and share knowledge of what your airguns poundage is according to the test methodology they use.

BTW there are variations in vehicle specs around the world and requirements. It is often the case that car makers design to meet all requirements in all areas their products go into. This legal variation is just like different countries with a max poundage of airguns varying I reckon. If a car cannot meet one regions requirements it doesn't get sold there. Then there are modification of cars. USA for examplehas different requirements over this than the UK. So it will be with airguns I reckon. If you modify to above UK legal poundage then you are breaking the requirements and are liable should you be found out. Like anything you take your own counsel over what risk on this matter you are happy with. If you have zero risk you will probably get your airguns checked and not modify them, indeed you might get them tested after you fettle them or do anything to them. Higher risk acceptance you will not do this. IF you get caught then that is up to you to accept too. As I said, the law does not take into account ignorance of the rules and regulations of the law regarding gun ownership of any kind or any other law.

 

[slowworm]

If you are worried about this then I suggest you contact your local firearms officer who deals with applications for licences for advice and the answers. I am sure they would be happy to have that conversation and share knowledge of what your airguns poundage is according to the test methodology they use.

Have you had much experience talking to your local firearms officer? I doubt you would get any advice and if you do it may not be correct and will vary from force to force.

For example, you used to be able to use black powder substitutes without an explosive licence. This changed and some forces were telling FAC holders they were breaking the law if they owned the substitute and did not have the licence. Other forces such as mine allowed you to keep what you had and apply for a licence for buying more.

 

[Chris]

It is irrelevant about whether any owner knows whether his is over the poundage limit. Ignorance of the law is no defence as is ignorance of you airguns poundage I reckon. However I bet they take a degree of judgement over it as they do everylaw transgression. Or the CPS do based on public interest.

Testing will be to protocols I reckon but I do not know about that just that police do have a lot of regulations wrt to guns of all kinds and it is not going to be up to the officer, or whoever does the testing, to choose what pellets or testing methodology to use.

If you are worried about this then I suggest you contact your local firearms officer who deals with applications for licences for advice and the answers. I am sure they would be happy to have that conversation and share knowledge of what your airguns poundage is according to the test methodology they use.

BTW there are variations in vehicle specs around the world and requirements. It is often the case that car makers design to meet all requirements in all areas their products go into. This legal variation is just like different countries with a max poundage of airguns varying I reckon. If a car cannot meet one regions requirements it doesn't get sold there. Then there are modification of cars. USA for examplehas different requirements over this than the UK. So it will be with airguns I reckon. If you modify to above UK legal poundage then you are breaking the requirements and are liable should you be found out. Like anything you take your own counsel over what risk on this matter you are happy with. If you have zero risk you will probably get your airguns checked and not modify them, indeed you might get them tested after you fettle them or do anything to them. Higher risk acceptance you will not do this. IF you get caught then that is up to you to accept too. As I said, the law does not take into account ignorance of the rules and regulations of the law regarding gun ownership of any kind or any other law.

The pellets used for testing to vary between forces - they’re sent off to a lab for testing and it’s dependent on the lab. There is no set protocol or standard.