Airguns do not require a licence unless they are over the UK legal limit of 12ft.lbs muzzle energy for rifles and 6 ft.lbs muzzle energy for pistols. Providing you are within the age requirements for

ownership listed below almost anybody can own one.

Young people under 14.

If you are under 14 years old you cannot buy, hire, be given or own an airgun or airgun

ammunition. You can however use an airgun if: you are supervised by someone over 21; and you do not shoot beyond the boundaries of where you are using it; or you are a member of an approved club and you are using it for target practice at that club; or you are using an airgun at a shooting gallery for airguns or miniature rifles.

Young people between 14 and 17.

If you are between 14 and 17 years old, you can be given or lent an airgun or ammunition but you cannot buy or hire them yourself.

You can however:

carry an air rifle (but not an air pistol) in a public place as long as it is covered with a

securely fastened gun cover that prevents it from being fired; member of that club; and use an

airgun at a gallery for airguns and miniature rifles.

Carry a loaded airgun in a public place. Trespass in a building or on private land with an airgun whether it is loaded or whether or not you have ammunition.

Possess or use an airgun if you have been sentenced to three months or more in custody.

If the sentence was up to three years you are banned from using or owning any airgun or firearm for a period of five years from the date of release. If the sentence was over three years you are banned for life.

Kill or injure any bird or animal protected by law unless you are authorised to do so under the

Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.