is a ratcatcher classed as a pistol?

[flinty 19]

i ask this question as the police have mine it shoots 8ftp when i had it tested twice they said its over the legal limit and theres no chance i can get my silencer back either as there illegal so he says so i have got to go in on friday and sighn the lot over takes the piss !!!!

[Big bald beautiful 1,231]

if it was fac, they would arrest you

there taking the piss

go in ask for it back, ask for there chrono reading

[maty j 6]

No there not classed as a pistol unless you mean the rat blaster pistol? Silencers are illegal? WTF Sounds like someones trying It on to me. Ask them why they find It illegal (both gun and silencer) strange. Is the gun totally stock? I can't see a ratty going over 12 If It Is stock with ANY pellet. If your a member of BASC etc let them know and I'm sure they will do something for you. If they were mine signing them over would be the last thing I would be doing. i'd ask them for a print out of the chrono readings too.

[flinty 19]

well when i first asked over the phone to see the chrono reading he said no but said all paper wil be ready friday when i go in to see whats what he said i have two options sighn em over or be charged for possetion of fire arms the ratty is standard its about 2ft or more with sillencer its never bin anywere near a pistol and as for silencer he seems to think hes done his reasearch and has found its illegal to have one as there made to supress sound when i said you can buy one from any gun shop he said he nose his stuff and im not insured with basc or anything how can i see about getting the chrono readings ? atb flinty

[jenksi87 3]

as long as you havent put any parts on it that arent standard it should be fine. tell them to f**k off. tell em you want the chrono reading and any proof they supposidly have that its illegal so that you can speak to an FAO and then a solicitor mate.

if it were illegal they would be trying to do you for a 5year stretch. IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES would they take the gun off you and that would be it. there would be interviews under caution and court procedings !!??!!

Edited July 7, 2009 by jenksi87

[maty j 6]

I don't know the legal stuff but he's spouting shit. Like BBB says If they had anything on you they'd have pulled you In along time ago. I'd go down there and ask to see all the paperwork. Get online to the BASC site etc and find the power regulations and silencer laws and take a print out. As everyone knows silencers are freely available for airguns, you just need to collect them from an RFD when buying new. That was brought In under the VCR act. He may be confused about the VCR so try mentioning that to him (as best as you can without blatently teeling him he's wrong ) He may be thinking about FAC type silencers? I think they need to go on your ticket but not having anything other than air I can't say. The silencer won't make F/A differance to velocity and for a unmodded ratty to be over Is practically unheard of! When he says you can't have a copy of the chrono readings, Sounds suspect to me. Again If you were insured I'm sure they would let you know what to do but try them anyway, The worst they'll say Is feck off.

 

Taken from the SACS site

 

The legal power limit for air rifles is 12ftlb or less, and Pistols of 6ftlb or less.

 

This was set by the home office as part of the “Firearms Acts 1968-1997†and anyone caught with a weapon over the legal limit will be subject to a legal inquiry and a possible jail sentence or serious fine. This will be classed as a Firearms offence.

 

The only accurate way to check that any weapon is within the legal limit is by having it tested on a machine called a ‘Chronograph’, and to arrange this, you should contact your local Gun Dealer or Air-rifle Club, who will know where the nearest chronograph is to be found.

 

There's a few coppers on here so you'd think they would speak up? Try BBS If your a member. There's a few that are clued up on the legal side of things on there.

 

How did they get them off you anyway mate?

[Guest air gunner]

Thats a joke I havent heard the whole story. but people should not be alloud to be the law and order if they know jack shit about what they are doing!!!! The copper in question should get his f*****g act together and and leave his prejudices behind when enforcing the law. it sounds to me like you are perfectly legally holdng a within limit rifle.

 

Do what these guys say. ask to speak to another officer. or something! an outrage. there will be respect when our rights get respected!

[Wanna be farmer 0]

Sounds like the police man thinks he's got more power then he has.

[Malt 379]

The ratcatcher is not designated a pistol. Even though the parts on the ratbuster pistol & the ratcatcher rifle are interchangeable, it's against the law to do so, something to do with the serial numbers. Once a rifle is designated a rifle, it must stay a rifle, & vice versa.

 

I'd suggest that the police officer(s) is confusing issues with other facets of firearms law. For instance, it's my understanding that a silencer has to be granted on the certificate with a FAC rifle, (RF/CF) and without the correct condition on your certificate, it would be illegal, but not with an air guns.

Clarification is needed with the officer and trust me, it's not nice to have to argue with a police officer who's convinced he's right, even when you know he's not. Been there before.

 

My advice would be to get some proper legal advice, or even ask your local RFD to put a word in to the station to clarify things.

[John-B 4]

What utter garbage, but if you don't mind me asking why do the police now have it? why was it took from you?

[bedrock 16]

Get a proper solicitor and he will mop the floor with them ask for a written apology and compensation for any inconvenience caused. atb bedrock

[graniteman 0]

There is no way they can take your gun , Get legal advice and good luck

[ness 0]

i ask this question as the police have mine it shoots 8ftp when i had it tested twice they said its over the legal limit and theres no chance i can get my silencer back either as there illegal so he says so i have got to go in on friday and sighn the lot over takes the piss !!!!

sounds like the officer in question does not have all his facts right and i would ask to speak to the duty firearms officer to explain their actions. also you have not stated the circumstances in which they came into possesion of your property.for instance if you were on public property or private land but did not have permission you could be charged for armed tresspass especially if you had and pellets in the breech.

[Ozmosis 0]

He's got your gun and you've not signed it over already? Isn't that theft? Did you sign any paperwork? Get good legal advice asap. The copper's not right, and that's for sure....

[ness 0]

i ask this question as the police have mine it shoots 8ftp when i had it tested twice they said its over the legal limit and theres no chance i can get my silencer back either as there illegal so he says so i have got to go in on friday and sighn the lot over takes the piss !!!!

sounds like the officer in question does not have all his facts right and i would ask to speak to the duty firearms officer to explain their actions. also you have not stated the circumstances in which they came into possesion of your property.for instance if you were on public property or private land but did not have permission you could be charged for armed tresspass especially if you had and pellets in the breech.