New offence keeps airguns under lock and key

[20series]

I've just taken this off the NSRA website.

Alan
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New offence keeps airguns under lock and key
Thursday, 27 January 2011
The Home Office has today issued a press release about airgun security. The full text is below.



A new offence to stop under 18s gaining unauthorised access to airguns has been introduced by the government today.

From 10 February, owners will be liable for a fine of up to £1000 if they do not take reasonable precautions to stop unauthorised access to their airgun by people under the age of 18. Safety leaflets informing new owners of the offence will be also be included with every air gun purchased.

Home Office statement

Home Office crime prevention minister James Brokenshire said: 'For the vast majority of responsible airgun owners, keeping their weapon safely locked up is routine. But when an air gun is allowed to get in to the wrong hands the consequences can be tragic.

'Although serious incidents are rare, there have been cases in recent years where children have got hold of carelessly stored airguns that have resulted in severe injuries and even deaths. We want to do everything in our power to keep the risk of such incidents to an absolute minimum.

'With this new legislation, we are saying there is no excuse. If you do not keep your airgun safely away from children you will be prosecuted.'

No additional burden

Adrian Whiting, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on Firearms and Licensing said: 'The police service supports this control on the security of air weapons. Responsible owners already take sensible precautions to ensure safe storage of their air weapons. This control will place no additional burden on them.

'Sadly, there have been deaths caused by air weapons and frequently the victims are children. For those owners who have a lax attitude to storage, this provision should encourage them to take action to improve safety.

'ACPO has been involved in the work leading to this order which we hope will improve the security of air weapons and prevent harm and serious injuries.'

How to keep your weapon safe:

•store your airgun out of sight and separately from pellets
•use a robust, lockable cupboard and keep the keys separate and secure
•always store your airgun inside a house rather than in an out building, such as a garden shed
•never store a cocked or loaded airgun
•when using your airgun, keep it under close supervision and never leave it unattended

[Angelfire]

Complete nuggits IMHO.

Regards

Phil*

[Robin128]

"Adrian Whiting, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on Firearms and Licensing said: 'The police service supports this control on....


If its not enforced its not a control by definition.

And what does robust and lockable mean...lockable wardrobe?

Open to interpretation leading to the risk of subjectivity and differing opinion.

Is this the sort of knee jerk decision we can expect re Cumbria enquiry?

:roll:

[Sim G]

A mate of mine is going to have trouble.......... he's got a collection of a couple of hundred air rifles and pistols amassed over 30 years! Most are on display in his study!

He has a lock on the inside so the missus can't see him opening his new acquistion....... "It's a really old one, pet. It was only a tenner!"

[barney57]

Dont see a problem with it to be honest,,,common sense really....

None of you would leave your .22rf or shotgun lying around would you?? no different for an air gun then!!
Simples!!

Mines locked away in the cupboard where my 5 gun cabinet is,,,if I had room it would be in the cabinet, but as its not law yet to be kept in a cabinet it aint,, when and if it becomes law then in a cabinet it will be.

[Robin128]

And you think they can/would enforce that law?

[TobyH]

Same as they do for firearms isn't it?

[zzr1100]

To be honest i keep my air-rifle locked in my gun cabinet anyway ,,,, it seems to make sense !

[Robin128]

Same as they do for firearms isn't it?

With s1 and s2 firearms, their ownership is recorded...not for airguns.

It's a useless law.

[20series]

next time a child dies because some irresponsible muppet leaves an airgun lying around they will have a proper offence to charge them with.

Sadly being an irresponsible muppet isn't against the law.

Alan