It is estimated that there are over six million air rifles in England and Wales, the vast majority of which are used in a safe and responsible manner. This code of practice offers guidance to those who use them. It does not apply to Northern Ireland or Scotland where firearms laws are very different.
High standards underpin public and political support for shooting, now and in the future.
The code provides advice at two levels:
Advice that must be followed in order to deliver sustainable shooting. Unless otherwise stated, the term ‘must’ only applies to meeting the standards set by this code of practice and does not refer to a legal.
Advice that should be followed in order to achieve best practice, any deviation from which would need justification.
Always know where the muzzle of your air rifle is pointing and never point it in an unsafe direction.
The safe conduct of air rifle shooting must meet the standards described in this code, show respect for the countryside, due regard to health and safety and consideration of others.
Before you shoot, make sure that a safe backstop is present to capture the pellet.
Consider live quarry; do not shoot beyond the bounds of your ability. Do not take chance shots.
Remember, ignorance of the law is no excuse. If in doubt, always ask.
BASC promotes and insists on safe and sensible behaviour by all shooters in all disciplines. By acting on these points, you will reassure shooters and non-shooters alike that you can be trusted with an air rifle.
Always check with the landowner, in good time, if you are able to go shooting.
Always confirm with the landowner what quarry you may shoot.
Always respect the landowner’s property, crops, livestock and fences and follow the Countryside Code.
Always treat an air rifle as though it is loaded and keep its muzzle pointing in a safe direction.
On picking up or being handed an air rifle, check immediately to ensure it is not loaded, i.e., it is un-cocked and there is no pellet in the breech. Be particularly careful when checking pre-charged pneumatic air rifles.
Before you fire your rifle, consider where the pellet could go. Be sure that no damage can result if you miss your intended target.
Always bear in mind the possibility of a ricochet.
Never put down a loaded air rifle or leave it unattended.
Use of a sound moderator can minimise disturbance to wildlife, livestock and other countryside users.
Remember that all shooters will be judged by your actions and ensure that your conduct is always above reproach. Encourage the same attitude in your shooting companions.
Above all, be safe and be sensible.
There are numerous clubs catering for this growing sport throughout England and Wales, and they can offer great help and shooting opportunities for both the novice and the experienced shooter alike. You will find contact details on the BASC website in the airgun section.
If you want to practise on your own premises, you must have an effective backstop. This may be an adequate soft soil bank, without stones, or a brick wall on which an old piece of carpet can be hung to prevent ricochets. Do not use chipboard, plywood or any thick composite material with a polished surface, as there is a high risk of ricochet.
Remember that you can be prosecuted if any pellet goes beyond your land, whether it is directly fired or an accidental ricochet.
Many people shoot live quarry, either on their own land or where they have permission. The species which you can shoot are limited by the law and by the effective power of an air rifle.
All wild birds are protected, and although there are seasons when you can legally shoot game, and certain wildfowl, they are not suitable quarry for air rifles. However, as long as you are complying with firearms law, you can shoot certain pest bird species. These are covered by general licences which, in simple terms, mean you can shoot the birds listed, provided you have the landowner’s permission, you abide by the terms and conditions of the licence in question, and you are doing it for one of the reasons allowed by the licence.
These reasons include:
the prevention of serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables and fruit;
the conservation of flora and fauna; and
the preservation of public health and prevention of spread of disease
The general licences vary by country, so BASC recommends that anyone wishing to take these species should regularly read BASC’s advice on general licences, which is available online at basc.org.uk/gl
You can shoot mammal pests at any time provided you have the landowner’s permission. Air rifles are suitable for brown rats, grey squirrels, stoats, mink and rabbits.
Always shoot well within your capabilities. Practise on targets, never on live quarry, to establish the maximum range at which you and your rifle can consistently hit the point of aim that will ensure a clean kill. This is usually the head, and normally has a maximum diameter of about three centimetres (1¼ inches). Practise regularly to improve your shooting and stalking skills.
Make sure you know where the kill zone is for each species that you are going to hunt. For mammals, the side-on head shot should be the preferred shot placement. For birds, head shots are effective but difficult because the target area is very small and rarely remains still. Shots to the breast or body cavity offer a bigger target area but remember that dense feathers or a crop full of grain will limit the pellet’s effectiveness. The area under the wing is a good place to aim for.
You should zero your rifle and sights (check their correct alignment) before starting any hunt; usually a riflescope will come with instructions; otherwise there are many books which explain the principles.
It is your responsibility to be able to recognise your quarry and know when and where you may shoot it. Never shoot unless you have positively identified your quarry.
Wounded quarry should be dispatched quickly to minimise suffering, either with a second shot or a sharp blow to the base of the skull. Be particularly careful when dispatching wounded rodents as they can bite and scratch and pose a risk of serious infection.
DO NOT TOUCH RATS. They may carry fatal diseases, so you should lift them with a fork or shovel.
Always leave the area where you are shooting in the condition in which you would like to find it. Make sure that you collect all your equipment. It is courteous to thank the landowner and to offer him something from the bag if you have shot any edible quarry. Take care of your edible quarry, remember it is food so store it in a cool place and never waste it.
Non-edible quarry should be disposed of discreetly, and should not create a health hazard. This is a legal requirement. Under most circumstances, deep burial beyond the reach of a carnivorous animal would be appropriate.
The displaying of carcasses on fences or on a gamekeeper’s ‘gibbet’ serves no useful purpose and may offend other countryside users.
Always ensure that your air rifle is powerful enough to achieve a clean kill of your chosen quarry and do not attempt shots of more than 30 metres. Generally the ideal power level is just over 11ft-lb (15J). For an air rifle that is more powerful than 12ft-lb, (16.25J) you must have a firearm certificate.
Never shoot at partially obscured quarry or quarry which could escape into cover before it can be retrieved. For example, do not shoot rabbits which are less than two metres from their burrow.
Certain types of air rifle are more suitable for hunting than others. Avoid those air rifles which take excessive time to charge, load and fire. Repeating air rifles give an immediate second shot which is always an advantage. All air rifles must be well maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. If in doubt, consult your local dealer.
Choose pellets which are designed for hunting. These will produce a cleaner kill than those which are intended for target shooting. Check every pellet before loading to ensure that it is not damaged or deformed.
Take care of your gun; it is built to precise standards and mistreatment can seriously affect its performance and safety.
Do not attempt to strip an air rifle without having the proper tools, facilities and knowledge to do so safely. Many air rifles contain powerful springs which can cause serious injury if released in an uncontrolled manner. After shooting, ensure your air rifle is dry and free from dirt before storing it.
Metalwork may benefit from a wipe down with a lightly oiled rag or a silicone cloth. The barrel should be cleaned using a proper barrel cleaning kit, and again lightly oiled. Only use the correct lubricants in accordance with the rifle manufacturer’s instructions. Always carefully wipe the oil from the bore before shooting.
The law makes no distinction between air rifles and more powerful guns for which you need a licence – they are all classed as firearms. This means that any offence you commit can carry a very heavy penalty, and there are at least 38 different offences. Following this code will help you to keep on the right side of the law, but if you have any doubt, seek advice from BASC or your local police firearms licensing department.
18 years or older
If you are 18 years or older there are no restrictions on buying an air rifle and ammunition, and you can use it wherever you have permission to shoot.
14–17 years
You can
borrow an air rifle and ammunition;
use an air rifle, without supervision, on private premises where you have permission.
You cannot
buy or hire an air rifle, or ammunition, or receive one as a gift. Your air rifle and ammunition must be bought and looked after by someone over 18 – normally your parent, guardian or some other responsible adult;
have an air rifle in a public place unless you are supervised by somebody aged 21 or over, and you have a reasonable excuse to do so (for example, while on the way to a shooting ground).
Under 14 years
You can
use an air rifle under supervision on private premises with permission from the occupier – normally the owner or tenant. The person who supervises you must be at least 21 years old.
You cannot
buy, hire or receive an air rifle or its ammunition as a gift, or shoot, without adult supervision.
Parents or guardians who buy an air rifle for use by someone under the age of 14 must exercise control over it at all times, even in the home or garden.
It is illegal to sell an air rifle or ammunition to a person under 18 years of age.
Where you intend to shoot, always ensure that you are authorised by the landowner or person with the sporting rights and that you know precisely where the boundaries are.
Get permission in writing, if possible, to remove any doubt. Whenever you are in a public place you should carry the rifle in a gunslip and always ensure that it is unloaded and not cocked.
From February 2011, the Crime and Security Act 2010 made it an offence for a person in possession of an airgun to fail to take “reasonable precautions” to prevent someone under the age of 18 from gaining unauthorised access to it.
The legal advice contained within this publication remains unchanged, e.g. 14 to 17-year-olds may still use airguns unsupervised on private premises where they have permission.
For further advice about reasonable precautions for storing air rifles not in use, please contact BASC for a copy of our factsheet Young People and Airguns.
Intentionally going onto private land or water where you do not have permission, is trespassing, and if you are carrying an air rifle it becomes armed trespass. Whether the gun is loaded or not, or whether you are carrying pellets, is irrelevant. Armed trespass is a serious criminal offence carrying heavy penalties.
Only shoot where you have the permission of the landowner or tenant.
It is an offence to fire an air rifle pellet beyond the land where you have permission to shoot, unless the person holding the shooting rights of the neighbouring land has given you permission. Where someone under the age of 14 is shooting, both the young person and the supervising adult can be prosecuted.
It is also against the law to discharge any firearm (including air rifles) within 50 feet of the centre of a highway (which consists of or comprises a carriageway) IF in consequence a user of the highway is injured, interrupted or endangered. These offences could be committed, for example, when a person is shooting in their garden close to a public highway and a pellet ricochets onto the highway and injures someone.
BASC has a simple assessment, carried out by accredited assessors, called the Airgun Safe Shot Award. It is not a test of competence. The assessment takes just 20 minutes and can be done at a game fair or organised by you anywhere in England and Wales. To find out more about the Airgun Safe Shot Award, please contact the BASC training and education department on 01244 573 018.
It is advisable to have adequate legal liability (third party) insurance when shooting. Membership of BASC currently provides such insurance.
The BASC ideal is that all who shoot conduct themselves according to the law and to the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship and courtesy, with full respect for their quarry and a practical interest in wildlife conservation and the countryside.
Never guess at what the law allows. If in doubt, contact BASC or your local police firearms licensing department.
Training courses are available from BASC on the safe and proficient use of air rifles; for further information, contact the BASC training and education department on 01244 573 018.
https://basc.org.uk/airgunning/advice/code-of-practice/