Quote:
Originally Posted by crabsticks  if you are charged with illegal possession of a firearm it Carry's a automatic prison sentence up to 5 years, armed trespass is also a custodial sentence so if they turn up again phone the police...and let them deal with it |
true , but in this context an airgun would not be considered a "firearm" unless it was rated above the legal limit (12ft lbs for rifles, 6 for pistols). Also they could not be charged with armed trespass if they are on a public road , only on private land.
however as valley sparrow says they are breaking the law by having an airweapon in a public place - the only permisible way to carry an airgun in a public place is unloaded, uncocked and in a cover or bag so by shooting it they are well outside the law.
The police can probably also do them for a variety of public order offences , loitering (possibly with intent to commit), vandalism /criminal damage if they are shooting at signs, furniture, possibly going equiped and so forth , so fifth....
however if this is a first offence they are more likely to give them a stiff talking too , confiscate the airgun and move them on...
I would definitely agree that you should let the police deal with it tho, being shot with an airgun although unlikely to do you serious harm is an experience you can do without (talking from experience here)