Air Rifles

[JohnRio]

You are correct about it being illegal to hunt with bow and crossbow in the UK - which are ancient prohibitions due to the aristocracy wanting to keep hunting to themselves and out of reach of the plebs. These restrictions remained in place in modern times as silent weapons lend themselves to poaching, again, ticking the landed gentry off.

All of about thirty years IIRC.

The Wildlife and Countryside act 1981

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18038 has a very good thread about it.

Its a shame that sling-bows are therefore out of the question then. Dashit and double dashit !!

Nothing to stop you practising at target with your slingbow, and then when TSHTF...

[Triple_sod]

You are correct about it being illegal to hunt with bow and crossbow in the UK - which are ancient prohibitions due to the aristocracy wanting to keep hunting to themselves and out of reach of the plebs. These restrictions remained in place in modern times as silent weapons lend themselves to poaching, again, ticking the landed gentry off.

All of about thirty years IIRC.

The Wildlife and Countryside act 1981

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18038 has a very good thread about it.

No, it goes back much further than that. During the Middle Ages poachers could be hung or have their hands cut off for taking a deer.

Yeah but you’re confusing the issue of bow hunting with poaching. The latter has been a serious offence since ye olde times but as the-gnole said until 1981 there have never been restrictions on bow hunting. (As long of course as you owned the land the quarry was on)

The ban itself had absolutely nothing to do with ‘bows being an ideal weapon for poachers’ after all if that had been the aim surly they’d have restricted owning them. I mean it’s not much good making it illegal to illegally hunt with something is it? It’s would be like a ban on stabbing people with knives designed to stop murder.....

Basically what happened was bow-hunting enjoyed something of a resurgence around that period, which had the usual suspects up in arms, bleating about animal cruelty, As is normally the case, because bow hunters probably only numbered a few dozen and no one else gave a toss the law got passed.

[JohnRio]

All of about thirty years IIRC.

The Wildlife and Countryside act 1981

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18038 has a very good thread about it.

No, it goes back much further than that. During the Middle Ages poachers could be hung or have their hands cut off for taking a deer.

Yeah but you’re confusing the issue of bow hunting with poaching. The latter has been a serious offence since ye olde times but as the-gnole said until 1981 there have never been restrictions on bow hunting. (As long of course as you owned the land the quarry was on)

The ban itself had absolutely nothing to do with ‘bows being an ideal weapon for poachers’ after all if that had been the aim surly they’d have restricted owning them. I mean it’s not much good making it illegal to illegally hunt with something is it? It’s would be like a ban on stabbing people with knives designed to stop murder.....

Well, that last bit is basically how the definition of an offensive weapon works under British law, if you had a knife with you and your intent was to gut fish it wasn't an offensive weapon, if your intent was to stab Mr. X then it was an offensive weapon. That's how things were until very recently in British history, anyway, and it worked surprisingly well, Brit murder rates being very low.

Of course, post things like the VCR act, only folding non-locking-knives with blades under 3" are permitted for public carry, unless you have lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Basically what happened was bow-hunting enjoyed something of a resurgence around that period, which had the usual suspects up in arms, bleating about animal cruelty, As is normally the case, because bow hunters probably only numbered a few dozen and no one else gave a toss the law got passed.

Hmmm. Well, ok, that does sound plausible.

I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't some anti-poaching chat in gentlemen's clubs too, that helped the ban on its way. Gentlemen hunt with guns don'tcher know.

Mind you, I think bow hunting is illegal in France as well? Which is a much more pro-gun and pro-hunting country. On account of them chopping the heads off most of their aristos, and then commoners enthusiastically taking up hunting, which had previously been an aristo privelege.

I know what you mean about the "usual suspects". It amazes me how people can be outraged about animal cruelty re. hunting with a bow, rifle or shotgun and yet those same people will cheerfully eat meat that has been through the far more inhumane mass transport & slaughter house system!

[Slimslim]

Btw those looking at a long-term scenario might want to have a look into moulds for pellets (See Below) from the looks of it there pretty cheap on ebay and just need some common sense to operate

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIR-GUN-PELLE ... 3a6da23ff5

[i_am_jim]

thanks for the tip dude, will have a look. a very handy piece of kit to have.

[Slimslim]

No problem only came across it myself when I was searching for pellets

[Alexr]

Interesting tool, so is the Internet.

On the same site as where you saw that tool, for the same price you could buy 5,000 pellets already made . . . delivered free to your door.

[cyclops]

I am after some advice. It is my intention to buy an Air Rifle at some point. The only place I probably could get one is in central Manchester possibly at Manchester Air Guns in Failsworth which is approx 10 miles away. When I buy said rifle I will be taking it home via public transport as I don't drive,on the bus or train (in a gun bag of course). Would I be wise to inform the Police I have bought a rifle and taking it home on public transport and the route I am taking or just saying nothing and hoping that no one in Manchester notices it is a gun bag, has a freak and calls the Firearms squad. I would rather play safe getting it home rather than possibly dead or banged up until they have finished their enquiries, especially in these times of hightened awareness. Thoughts appreciated or am I being over cautious.

[the-gnole]

I am after some advice. It is my intention to buy an Air Rifle at some point. The only place I probably could get one is in central Manchester possibly at Manchester Air Guns in Failsworth which is approx 10 miles away. When I buy said rifle I will be taking it home via public transport as I don't drive,on the bus or train (in a gun bag of course). Would I be wise to inform the Police I have bought a rifle and taking it home on public transport and the route I am taking or just saying nothing and hoping that no one in Manchester notices it is a gun bag, has a freak and calls the Firearms squad. I would rather play safe getting it home rather than possibly dead or banged up until they have finished their enquiries, especially in these times of hightened awareness. Thoughts appreciated or am I being over cautious.

Also I am after a little clarification. I want to purchase at some point an Air Rifle. The nearest place I could get one is in my local City (Manchester). As I don't drive what would be the best way of getting it home. Is it permissable to buy said rifle (and bag) and go on public transport and just head home or should I be wise and phone the Police Control room and tell them I have bought a rifle just incase someone gets "tetchie" and spots a gunbag and give them my route home, either by bus or train. Just thinking as I don't want to be stopped and the Police Firearms Team take exception with me in these times of hightened awareness. Just after thoughts, better to be safe than possibly dead

Just get it in a gun slip with a buckle done up, or get the shop owner to wrap in in a couple of bin bags and put loads of parcel tape on it.

I carried to rifles home in this way and no problems.

I do use a gun slip to transfer the air rifles from house to car or house to gun shop, never had a problem.

Just get any pellets for it on a seperate day.

[skippy]

I am after some advice . .......................................................................................... Thoughts appreciated or am I being over cautious.

I think Gnoley is spot on here (What the heck ... i agreed with the G?)..... just get it wrapped up and if it is new leave it in the box it came in. An air weapon only has to be three steps away from being fired to be legal to transport ie. unloaded, sipped up, in a bag/box.
As long as you dont go waving it around then no probs.