‹ Back to the World airgun law map
Airgun law · World
Are Airguns Legal in United Kingdom?
Yes, with conditions.
Generally legal, but with real rules to follow, usually age verification and, in some places, a low-power threshold.
Tier 3: Moderate
Threshold-based licensing: a permit-free band for low-power airguns, with a licence required above it.
GB
The picture at a glance
Each measure below scores how restrictive United Kingdom is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).
ClassificationThreshold-based
Age rule21+
PossessionFree for adults
Transfer / saleDealer records
TransportCased + carry restricted
AuthorityNational statute
Before you buy or sell
- Three different legal regimes within one country, confirm which UK nation you're shipping to or visiting.
- Post-Brexit EFP no longer covers UK ⇄ EU movement.
The rules in detail
Classification
Threshold-based
Major internal variation across the four nations. England & Wales: airguns under 12 ft-lb (16.3 J) for rifles or 6 ft-lb for pistols are unlicensed. Scotland: ALL air weapons require an Air Weapon Certificate since December 2016. Northern Ireland: any airgun above 1 J requires a firearm certificate.
Age rule
21+
England & Wales: 18+ to buy or own an air weapon (Firearms Act 1968 s. 22). Under-18s may use one only under supervision of someone 21+, at an approved club or shooting gallery, or, at 14+, on private premises with the occupier's consent (s. 23). Scotland: Air Weapon Certificate available from 14; 14–17-year-olds need parental consent and cannot buy or own in their own right. Northern Ireland: firearm certificate normally 18+, but 16–17-year-olds can be granted one for air guns for sport or pest control under supervision conditions (Firearms (NI) Order 2004 art. 7).
Possession
Free for adults
Lawful for adults below the GB threshold; certificate required above. In Scotland and NI a certificate is required at all power levels.
Transfer / sale
Dealer records
Face-to-face transfer only for unlicensed airguns; record-keeping by Registered Firearms Dealers above threshold.
Transport
Cased + carry restricted
In a slip or case, secured against unauthorised access. On public transport rules vary by operator; airguns cannot be carried on UK rail or bus services in most cases.
Authority
National statute
National statute (Firearms Act 1968 + devolved Scottish and NI legislation). Local authority discharge bylaws apply on top.
Hunting with an airgun
Sub-12 ft-lb air rifles widely used for vermin, rabbits, squirrels, corvids; deer not legal with airgun.
Deer
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Turkey
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Small game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Predators
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Import & travel
Local & import notes
England & Wales (visitor)
Sub-12 ft-lb air rifles do NOT require a Firearm Certificate. Whether a Visitor's Permit is needed for low-power airguns is a grey area, BASC advises contacting airguns@basc.org.uk.
Scotland (visitor)
Air Weapon Certificate or Visitor Permit required for ALL air weapons regardless of power. Apply via Police Scotland Form AWL3.
Northern Ireland (visitor)
Firearm Certificate required for airguns over 1 J. Apply via PSNI at least 4 weeks ahead.
Keep exploring
This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.