Brits Rejoice - Horrendous BB Gun Threat Corralled (Kinda)

[Mike Ellis]

I was surprised to learn that starting in October 2007, BB gun sales in the UK must be carried out face-to-face, no more online sales to regular Joes. Purchasers must be 18 or older and their purchase is entered into a Statutory Firearms Register.

With that taken care of, legislation is underway to address the potent threat of sharp sticks and rocks.

Gun Deals

VCR ACT Regulations - Explanatory Notes for Gundeals Members.

On October 1st 2007, Sections 31, 32, 33 & 34 (air weapons), 36, 37, 38, 39 & 40 (realistic imitation firearms and imitation firearms), will come into force.

In respect of air weapons the Violent Crime Reduction Act only addresses the sale, transfer, acquisition and use of those air weapons which are not declared 'specially dangerous', i.e. those air rifles which have a muzzle energy not in excess of 12 ft. lbs. and those air pistols with a muzzle energy not in excess of 6 ft. lbs. (These are generally referred to as 'low-powered air weapons').

Sections 31, 32, 33 & 34:

(snip)

From October 1st all air weapon sales to non RFDs will have to be in person, i.e. 'face to face'. (This means that mail order sales will be banned. Air weapons may continue to be advertised but the actual physical transfer from RFD to purchaser must be in person).

(Private sales of air weapons will not be banned neither will the possession of air weapons).

From October 1st all references in legislation to the age of seventeen in regard to air weapons will change to eighteen, including:

From October 1st it will be an offence for anybody under 18 to purchase or hire an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon.

From October 1st it will be an offence to sell or let on hire an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon to a person under the age of 18.

Americans will holler, "That'll never happen here in the USA, by Jiminy!"

Unfortunately, it already has in the more wussified regions of the country:

Air gun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The legal definition of an air gun differs from country to country; in the United Kingdom, for example, air pistols generating more than 6 ft·lbf (8.1 J) or air rifles generating more than 12 ft·lbf (16.2 J) of energy are considered firearms, as are air guns in Canada with a muzzle velocity of over 500 ft/s (150 m/s) and a muzzle energy in excess of 4.2 ft·lbf (5.7 J).

In Japan, any air gun that fires a metallic projectile is restricted as a firearm, so only airsoft type guns are readily available. Many US cities restrict air gun sales and possession, usually regardless of the muzzle energy; these include: New York City, New York; Camden and Newark, New Jersey; Michigan; Chicago and Morton Grove, San Francisco, California; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Australian law classifies air guns and BB guns as "Category A" firearms, placing then in the same class as break-action shotguns and rimfire rifles, requiring a licence for ownership. Anyone found in Australia possessing an unlicensed airsoft pistol faces the same charge as a person who unlawfully possesses a firearm. In many other areas of the world, however, air guns are not considered firearms and are not subject to regulation.

There are minimum ages for possession, usually 16 and sales of both air guns and ammunition may be restricted. Some areas may require permits and background checks similar to those required for firearms possession. In the UK, Brocock Air Cartridge System air guns, which use a precharged, single shot air cartridge (similar in size to a .38 Special cartridge) were banned after some pistols recovered by the police, were found to have been converted by criminals making them capable of firing rimfire ammunition or even .38 Special ammunition. [7]

In October 2007, a new law will take effect in the UK banning, among other things, the online or mail order sales of air guns. Sales must be made face-to-face.