Shooting guns

[Garden Carpet]

Does anyone on here know the rules and regs. for using firearms (shotgun or air rifle i thnk) in a residential area. I live on the edge of a village and some of the village young use the lane outside my house for shooting. They are only about 50ft from my house. I just want to know if they are within the law. If not I intend to ask them to stop using it. The lane is public. I would rather they didnt shoot at all but I do understand they will want to. Thanks.
jaki

[Tormentil]

I should wait until they've run out of ammo first, then tell them to go away.

[Garden Carpet]

Originally Posted by Tormentil

I should wait until they've run out of ammo first, then tell them to go away.

Oh yes... good idea
jaki

[Oy]

It is illegal to fire an airgun within 50 feet of a public highway. So if they are on the lane and that lane is public - they are breaking the law.

[Garden Carpet]

Originally Posted by Oy

It is illegal to fire an airgun within 50 feet of a public highway. So if they are on the lane and that lane is public - they are breaking the law.

Thank you Oy, you are a star. Now I have aired the flack jacket and have it ready by the back door for the next time they turn up.
jaki

[The Valley sparrow]

50ft from a highway is right, also if they have not got landowners permission they are also breaking the law. And if they are under 17yrs, they are not allowed to own an airgun, ownly borrow one, and must be under adult supervision, an over 21. Discharge of gun in a street can support a max 14 day prison sentence and or £1000 fine. I hope this is helpfull.

[honeybee]

You shouldn't have to put up with that Jaki... tell the police if you think they're breaking the law, failing that, get them an asbo courtesy of the council.

[nightshade]

Jaki ,DO NOT challenge them ,keep yourself safe indoors and call the police
The others are substantially right about the law

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Jaki ,DO NOT challenge them ,keep yourself safe indoors and call the police
The others are substantially right about the law

You're right, there's no point them even having to know it's you who's reported them and saves you any agro.

[Fagus]

Originally Posted by honeybee

You're right, there's no point them even having to know it's you who's reported them and saves you any agro.

Agreed with the others, if its to close, then something has to be done. Good luck.

[Garden Carpet]

Thank you all for the information and support. I have contacted the police and they have told me substantialy the same as you have. I will phone them the next time the boys are out there. I am lucky that the dogs arent frightened by it all. It does make me jump though.
jaki.. the snitch

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

Thank you all for the information and support. I have contacted the police and they have told me substantialy the same as you have. I will phone them the next time the boys are out there. I am lucky that the dogs arent frightened by it all. It does make me jump though.
jaki.. the snitch

There's nothing snitchy about not wanting to get shot when you're minding your own business in your garden Jaki. They could be doing target practice on animals too.

[crabsticks]

[quote=The Valley sparrow;79710]50ft from a highway is right, also if they have not got landowners permission they are also breaking the law. And if they are under 17yrs, they are not allowed to own an airgun, ownly borrow one, and must be under adult supervision, an over 21. Discharge of gun in a street can support a max 14 day prison sentence and or £1000 fine. I hope this is helpfull.[/QUOTE

Having a firearm in a public place can get you the unwelcome attention of the Armed response and 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

[eeyore]

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)

[Garden Carpet]

Thank you all for you replies. I do intend to let the police deal with it. The next time the little shooters turn up to go bang bang I will call the Police.

They are on public property albeit little used. The lane is public but unmade. They are breaking the law. Why do I feel bad about the prospect of them being charged with something?

Hope you all had a good day today.

jaki

ps. Boddie or eeyore... one of you was being threatened with court over non payment of a £0.00 bill. Cant remember which and dont recall seeing the outcome. What happened?
j

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

Thank you all for you replies. I do intend to let the police deal with it. The next time the little shooters turn up to go bang bang I will call the Police.

They are on public property albeit little used. The lane is public but unmade. They are breaking the law. Why do I feel bad about the prospect of them being charged with something?

Hope you all had a good day today.

jaki

the chances of the police charging them are minimal ... as i say far more likely to confiscate it and give them an earbashing, anyway its not something you should feel bad about - they have brought it on themselves

Originally Posted by garden carpet

ps. Boddie or eeyore... one of you was being threatened with court over non payment of a £0.00 bill. Cant remember which and dont recall seeing the outcome. What happened?
j

that was boddie , and I dont know what happened but he is still at home as far as i know so I dont think he has been hauled off to debtors prison just yet

[Garden Carpet]

that was boddie , and I dont know what happened but he is still at home as far as i know so I dont think he has been hauled off to debtors prison just yet [/quote]

thanks eeyore, I have been meaning to ask for ages. Perhaps he is under house arrest
jaki

[Twizzle]

Hand it over to the police. Thats what we pay our tax for and thats their job. They should confront the youths and enforce the law not you. Otherwise you may be bringing more attention to yourself than you need for future confrontation of sorts.Stay safe.
Twizzle

[badgerwatcher]

Some youngsters who lived opposite my previous house fired an airgun, which shot a hole in my front window and showered me and my dog with splinters of glass. The police said they didn't have time to send anyone, and put me in touch with victim support, which gave me a handy ear to vent my anger to!!!

[anusha]

the above advice about 50ft from a public highway or building is correct....unless you live on an Estate and its in your contract. I lived in the grounds of hatfield house and the pheasant shoot started next to my cottage and it was in the small print of the agreement.

Its questionable wether these youths had any right at all to use firearms..but even if they do theres a 50ft exclusion zone around human habitation..even a gamekeeper or vet cannot infringe this law..not even to assist the quick death of a roadside accident. so i would definately make inquiries...guns are notorious for deflecting off something inpenetrable so you are at risk if someone is flouting these laws..