Airguns
Support BASC’s campaign to ensure 14 to 17-year-olds can continue to use airguns unsupervised as is currently allowed under the Firearms Act 1968
The Issue
The Home Office firearms safety consultation, launched in November 2020, makes a range of proposals regarding storing and using certain firearms (you can read BASC’s views on the wider topics here).
Within the consultation the government proposes “to remove the exception that allows young persons who are at least 14 years of age to have unsupervised possession of airguns on private premises”. If enacted, this proposal will have serious ramifications for the wider shooting community.
Please note the consultation has now closed.
BASC's view
BASC is fully opposed to this proposal on the grounds that there is no body of evidence to justify removing the exception.
Hundreds of thousands of youngsters aged 14–17 have used the exception perfectly safely on private premises. BASC is unaware of this allowance ever causing any significant trend in airgun abuse. We believe that a parent or guardian is best placed to determine whether their child is sufficiently responsible to be allowed access to an airgun, rather than a catch-all prohibition being imposed by the state.
If successful, the government will disadvantage younger generations who rely on airguns to learn to use firearms in a responsible manner. This includes trainee gamekeepers, agricultural pest controllers and sport shooters. You can read one Young Shot’s opinion on this proposal here.
BASC actions
- BASC responded in full to the consultation, raising our objection to this proposal as well as our evidence-based views on the other proposals. Click here to read the full response.
- BASC has already spoken out about the airgun restrictions in the national press and will continue to raise awareness and ensure our opposition to the proposal is heard following the consultation period.
- This proposal, among others, was discussed with the Home Office minister responsible, Kit Malthouse MP, at BASC’s All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) meeting.
- BASC has produced a dedicated brief on airguns that has been sent to a select group of MPs and Lords.
- BASC is working with a range of other stakeholders who will be impacted by this proposal. See here for our work with the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs.
- BASC has engaged our Young Shots programme to ensure they are aware of the proposal and have the necessary resources to respond to the consultation and contact their local MPs.
Going forward
This page will continue to be updated as our campaign to protect 14 to 17-year-olds’ ability to use airguns unsupervised develops. Please continue to refer to it for the latest information.
