I think saying "playing" and "air rifle" doesn't look or sound well in the same sentence. Build yourself a shooting range in the garden, to make sure the pellets won't be able to go outside your garden and I don't see what would be the problem. Otherwise you could go somewhere outside the town and shoot on an empty field?
*removed*
I'm not sure how much experience you have in the area of air weapons, but I would add the below to your advice:
Technically, you can plink in your own garden providing it is your house and the projectiles to not cross your boundaries - meaning it is essential to have a good backstop as richochets that pass beyond your boundary are a no no). However, I would still heed the 50ft rule though, because anyone getting wind of what you are doing can be 'alarmed' and feel 'endangered' by your actions and if they happen to be on an adjacent highway/footpath you might find yourself on the wrong end of an armed response team
The MET police once had a page on their website that stipulated even causing someone alarm is completing the offence. That seems contrary to the actual wording of the offence in the Highways Act, but I am more likely to take their advice as not! I suppose the word 'interrupted' as used in the offence description can be used to define many things. I guess someone stopping and feeling alarmed would class as being interrupted, and therefore technically complete the offence. The use of a sound moderator is recommended.
If shooting in your garden, I would also let your neighbours know what you are doing. If you live in a city or are overlooked by many people - I would perhaps avoid it altogether as people will just see "person with a gun" and thats what they will tell the Police when they call them. Again you may be on the wrong end of an armed response team, however harmless your plinking session may be
As for going out into some fields for some shooting, you can only legally do that if you have prior written permission of the landowner. If you do not you are comitting Armed Tresspass, which could see you spending 3 months in jail and/or fined to the tune of £2,500 (and also possibly on the wrong end of an armed response team).
If you should happen to carry your air gun loaded through a public place (this inlcudes anywhere that the public have right of access too - streets, parks, woodland etc) you are commiting an offence and could spend up to 6 months in jail and/or £5,000 fine.
You should never carry an air weapon through a public place without it being covered, unloaded and without having reasonable grounds for possessing it at that time. IE - taking it to the gun shop to sell or be serviced. But even then I would minimise the time you spend in the public eye/place.
Likewise, I would advise you never transport your air gun in a vehicle unless it is unloaded and inside a suitable rifle bag / gun case. If someone sees your gun and calls the Police......yeah you guessed it - you may find yourself on the wrong end of an armed response team
Cheers
Buff
bought it like that didn't realise it was a modification.
. I bought a third hand TX200HC earlier this year and that was over £200 gun only and I thought that was a billy bargain.
