Air gun laws

Often each jurisdiction has its own unique definition of an air gun; and regulations may vary for weapons of different bore, muzzle energy or velocity, or material of ammunition, with guns designed to fire metal pellets often more tightly controlled than airsoft weapons.

The Australian gun law is quite restrictive and differs on a state-by-state basis; however, as a general rule all air guns — regardless of action type, caliber and muzzle energy — are considered firearms for legal purposes; e.g. air rifles are considered Class A firearms and as such are subject to licensing and registration.

Though also regarded as "soft air weapons", airsoft guns are strictly prohibited in all states except in the Northern Territory (where they are considered regular air guns and subjected to the corresponding laws and licensing) and the ACT (where they are considered "imitation firearms").

Scopes with magnification equal or above 6 times and/or over 35 millimeters, or equipment that mark the target (like laser sights), were restricted to civilians and allowed only for use by the army.

Airguns over 6mm caliber or boasting more than 500 joules of muzzle energy must be registered as firearms by a licensed sport shooter.

Scopes, red dots and laser sights remain unregulated as long as they aren't military grade, but both airguns and optic devices need to be accompanied by proof of legal ownership (the sale slip/receipt) during use.

The use of air guns is restricted non-public places, being shooting ranges, inside a house or a backyard that is not easily accessible from the street.

Low velocity replica air guns (under 366 feet per second) that are designed to resemble with near precision a firearm are considered a prohibited device and not permitted for ownership or purchase.

These air guns are exempt from the specific safe storage, transportation and handling requirements set out in the regulations supporting the Firearms Act.

However, the Criminal Code requires that reasonable precautions be taken to use, carry, handle, store, transport, and ship them in a safe and secure manner.

Hunting with air guns is allowed, but only small game such as rabbits, hares and birds, and a permit obtained from Chile's Agriculture and Livestock service is necessary.

Additionally, to permanently hand over air guns to a person under the age of 18 without the permission of their guardian is prohibited.

[9] Under the Hunting Decree of 1993 as amended in 2019, air guns may not be used to shoot animals except inside a building to kill crows, common magpies, jackdaws, rock pigeons, and unprotected mammals other than feral cats.

[10] Since September 2013, air rifles with a muzzle energy less than 20 joules (14 ft lbf) can be acquired by persons over age 18 and no licence is required.

1 WaffG), and on enclosed private property if it is assured that the projectiles can not possibly leave the shooting area (§ 12 Abs.

1 WaffG), but exceptions may be granted to younger children upon request, supported by suitable references from a doctor and by a licensed shooting federation (§ 27 Abs.

Air weapons exceeding 7.5 J muzzle energy, e.g. field target guns, are treated like firearms and therefore require a relevant permit for acquisition and possession.

Proof of need, a clean criminal record and the passing of a knowledge and handling test are required (§ 4 Abs.

A purchase authorization is not required for air guns that were manufactured and introduced onto the market before 1 January 1970 in Germany or before 2 April 1991 on the territory of the former East Germany (WaffG, Appendix 2, Section 1, Subsection 2, 1.2); they can, regardless of their muzzle energy or the absence of an "F-in-pentagon" mark, be freely acquired and possessed.

A Japanese civilian may apply for a license to possess an air rifle, a low-power gun powered by carbon dioxide, not gunpowder.

[14] The process is time-consuming, and if you wish to own an air-gun, you must attend classes, held by the prefecture's Public Safety Commission.

Until 1997, there were limitations on muzzle velocity and kinetic energy, similar to the German law, but these restrictions were lifted for practical reasons.

It is illegal to own an air gun that was "produced or modified so that it can more easily be carried concealed".

[28] Owning airgun after you obtain safety firearm course, police background check, medical psychological checks you can apply for self defence guns shooting rubber balls or gas with maximum of 2 guns or air rifles shooting no more than 200 m/s and maximum of 1000 rounds.

An airgun that shoots projectiles under 5.6mm (.22) in calibre has no maximum energy restrictions placed on it in the FCA (Firearms Control Act).

Update 31/12/2020 SAPS put out an internal circular to clarify the law with regards to Airguns and the current Firearm Amnesty.

The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 prohibits online or mail-order sale of air guns by way of trade or business in the UK.

Since February 2011, the Crime and Security Act 2010 (s. 46) made it an offence ...for a person in possession of an air weapon to fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent any person under the age of eighteen from having the weapon with him...[44] This legislation essentially relates to the storage of air guns and the requirement of owners to prevent unauthorised access by children.

Section 921(a)(3), to include "(A) any weapon (including a starter gun), which will, or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon...." Based on Section 921(a)(3), air guns, because they use compressed air and not an explosive to expel a projectile, do not constitute firearms under Federal law — unless they are manufactured with the frames or receivers of an actual firearm.

Accordingly, the domestic sale and possession of air guns is normally unregulated under the Federal firearms laws enforced by ATF.