The Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969

Statutory Instruments

1969 No. 47

ARMS AND AMMUNITION

The Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969

Made

13th January 1969

Coming into Operation

1st May 1969

In pursuance of sections 1(3) and 53 of the Firearms Act 1968, I hereby make the following Rules:—

1.—(1) These Rules may be cited as the Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969.

(2) These Rules shall not extend to Scotland.

(3) The Interpretation Act 1889 applies for the interpretation of these Rules as it applies for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.

(4) These Rules shall come into operation on 1st May 1969.

2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, Rule 3 of these Rules applies to an air weapon (that is to say, an air rifle, air gun or air pistol) capable of discharging a missile so that the missile has, on being discharged from the muzzle of the weapon, kinetic energy in excess, in the case of an air pistol, of 6 ft. lb. or, in the case of an air weapon other than an air pistol, of 12 ft. lb.

(2) Rule 3 of these Rules does not apply to a weapon designed for use only when submerged in water.

3.  An air weapon to which this Rule applies is hereby declared to be specially dangerous.

James Callaghan

One of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State

Home Office

Whitehall

13th January 1969

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Under section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968, a firearm certificate is required for any air weapon declared by rules to be specially dangerous.

These Rules make such a declaration in relation to England and Wales in respect of the more powerful air weapons specified in Rule 2. The declaration does not extend to weapons designed for use only under water (Rule 2(2)).