Airgun transport law

[Whitby_Sam 4]

I have various permissions for rabbiting and pigeon shooting dotted around the North Yorkshire area. Sometimes I find myself with a little spare time and the opportunity to call in on my way home but I don't carry my air rifle in the van with me.

 

Would I be allowed to carry it in my van from when I leave the house in a morning til when I return at night or will I have to go home and collect it for a rabbiting trip thus missing out on being able to just drop in on the way somewhere?

 

I don't want to break the law. I'm aware of the laws for firearms and shotguns as I'm in the middle of applying for licences for these but I don't know what the law says about air rifles.

 

In an ideal world I'd keep my air rifle in a rack in the back of the van (which is locked at all times) and the pellets in the front with me. There's nothing more frustrating than driving past one of my fields, seeing a load of rabbits and then having to make a roundtrip to collect my rifle only to find they've gone when I return.

 

Can someone let me know the legalities of carrying it with me in the van.

[garfield 23]

the law states "you have to HAVE GOOD REASON to have your rifle with you " if you have it on you and you have not been to your permission,or you just dont go and get stopped by the plod your buggered dont risk it

[Whitby_Sam 4]

the law states "you have to HAVE GOOD REASON to have your rifle with you " if you have it on you and you have not been to your permission,or you just dont go and get stopped by the plod your buggered dont risk it

Yes but surely at any point I could be on my way to or from one of my permissions... It'd be hard to prove otherwise.

 

I have written permission for each site saying that I can use a shotgun, a rifle or an air rifle. Its not like I'll be keeping it in the cab tucked down the back of the seat, it'll be in a slip, in a rack in the locked rear of my van.

 

I guess you're right though, I'll treat it the same as if it were a shotgun or a rifle and only take it in the vehicle when I'm definitely going to one of my permissions. There's a lot riding on it and it'd be madness to risk my shotgun and firearms licences over something I "Should know better" about. At the end of the day an air rifle is not a toy and you're right, I should have a good reason to carry it and Ineed to act as responsibly with that as I would with any other weapon.

[jenksi87 3]

as long as it aint loaded (including a magazine in place, with or without pellets in) and its out of public view your fine

[TinTentTourist 0]

Air rifles are different to shotguns and FAC guns in the eyes of the law. But you do have to have a good reason as mentioned above if you have it in a public place.

Once it is on private property like your home or office it is different. Could you lock it up at work? Then going home you are on your way to your permission.

Whether yours is a good reason or not, might have to be tested in court if your view is different from the officer's. Or if there is not already a stated case to cover the circumstances.

If I was you and going through the application process, I would ask the Firearms Enquiry Officer for his/her opinion, then you get a feel for your local force attitude - they do seem to vary.

You could even email the Firearms department then their reply would be in writing!

Food for thought, please let us know if you find out anything definitive from your force area.

ATB

Martin

[ArchieHood 3,692]

If it was sleeved and in the back of your van where it cant be seen , I cant see the problem.As you say you could be off to your permission at any said time.It would be very unlikely for the Police to randomly stop you and search your van for no particular reason.I've never been stopped in 25 years of driving and have had a lot worse than an Air Rifle in the back.

[Phantom 631]

You can LAWFULLY keep your air rifle in the van if you plan on visiting your permission after you havbe finished work. Or even if you were planning on visiting your permission before work or even during the day

Just make sure it is not loaded (or magazines are loaded) at any time until you are within your permission boundaries.

 

I'm not too far fom Whitby if you need a hand at any time bud

 

Phantom

[Phantom 631]

Archie when are you gonna give me that babes phone number or send me her thong for sniffing

[davyt63 1,845]

hi buddy

i always carry a spare air rifle in the back of my van !

Pellets in the front and mag and rifle in in a slip in the back ,there is nothing they can do

[Whitby_Sam 4]

You can LAWFULLY keep your air rifle in the van if you plan on visiting your permission after you havbe finished work. Or even if you were planning on visiting your permission before work or even during the day

Just make sure it is not loaded (or magazines are loaded) at any time until you are within your permission boundaries.

 

I'm not too far fom Whitby if you need a hand at any time bud

 

Phantom

Thanks for that.

I think I'll email my local firearms dept and get an answer in writing.

 

My rabbiting day is wednesday but my permission is about 20 miles out. PM me your details and I'll run it by the land owner. Could do with a few tips as the rabbits seem to be getting the better of me at the moment.

[SEAN3513 7]

Air rifles are different to shotguns and FAC guns in the eyes of the law. But you do have to have a good reason as mentioned above if you have it in a public place.

Once it is on private property like your home or office it is different. Could you lock it up at work? Then going home you are on your way to your permission.

Whether yours is a good reason or not, might have to be tested in court if your view is different from the officer's. Or if there is not already a stated case to cover the circumstances.

If I was you and going through the application process, I would ask the Firearms Enquiry Officer for his/her opinion, then you get a feel for your local force attitude - they do seem to vary.

You could even email the Firearms department then their reply would be in writing!

Food for thought, please let us know if you find out anything definitive from your force area.

ATB

Martin

 

unfortunately there aren't !!! ( unless you missed the "no" out)

 

they are veiwed as a firearm........until proven otherwise.

 

aslong as you have you gun covered and unloaded........its fine, but ALWAYS carry your permission letters with you.........and if possible a print out of a chronograph test, may sound silly but will save you a lot of hassle if you are ever stopped.

 

cheers

 

sean