Can You Own An Air Rifle Without A License?

Yes, you can own an air rifle without a licence in England and Wales, as long as it stays under the legal power limit of 12 ft/lb. That means most standard .177 or .22 air rifles sold for target shooting, plinking, or pest control don’t require a firearms certificate (FAC).

But if your air rifle goes over that 12 ft/lb limit, it’s officially classed as a firearm and you’ll need to apply for a firearms licence through your local police force.

However, Scotland is different. Even for low powered air rifles under 12 ft/lb, you still need an air weapon certificate (AWC) to legally own one.

So if you’re living in Scotland, don’t buy one until you’ve got that paperwork sorted.

How Old Do You Need To Be To Own An Air Rifle?

In the UK, you need to be at least 18 years old to buy or own an air rifle. It’s illegal to sell or gift an air rifle to anyone under that age. But under 18s can still use an air rifle in some cases, depending on their age and whether they’re supervised:

Aged 14–17:
You can borrow an air rifle and shoot it on private land (with permission) without an adult supervising. But you can’t own, buy, rent or be given one. You also can’t carry it in public unless supervised by someone 21+.
Under 14:
You can only use an air rifle under direct supervision from an adult (21 or over) and on private property with permission. You can’t own, buy or be gifted one at all.

Also, people with certain criminal convictions may be prohibited from owning airguns altogether. If you’ve served time for a serious offence, check with your local police or firearms licensing unit before buying one.

Can You Use Your Air Rifle In Your Garden?

Yes, in most cases, you can legally shoot your air rifle in your garden as long as you’re being safe and responsible.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Pellets must stay within your property
If even one pellet goes over the fence, you could be breaking the law, even if it was accidental.
Use a proper backstop
Pellets can punch through thin wooden fences surprisingly easily, so set up a solid backstop (like a pellet trap or heavy target box) to catch your shots safely.
Think about your neighbours
It’s a good idea to let them know you’ll be shooting in your garden. It avoids confusion and helps prevent calls to the police if they hear noise or see a rifle.
Don’t shoot up at birds or rooftops
It might seem fun to knock a can off your shed roof, but pellets fired upwards can travel far and land unpredictably. Always shoot at a safe, contained target in front of a backstop.
Know your surroundings
If your garden backs onto other gardens or public spaces, it might not be suitable for shooting at all.

Can I Transport My Air Rifle in My Car?

Yes, you can transport your air rifle in your car, but there are strict rules you need to follow. You must:

Have a genuine reason
Travelling to or from a shooting club, event, gun shop, or private land with permission is fine. But just driving around with it “for fun” isn’t.
Keep it in a proper case or slip
Your rifle must be securely stored in a fastened slip or hard case. It shouldn’t be visible or easily accessible.
Make sure it’s unloaded and uncocked
That includes removing magazines and even cleaning pellets. Any pellet in the chamber can count as a loaded weapon under UK law.
Be over 18
You must be 18 or older to legally transport an air rifle. If you’re under 18, you must be supervised by an adult that’s over 21 with a valid reason for having it with you.

That’s the short version of it, however there’s a lot more to learn when it comes to air rifle law in the UK, and this article is not intended to be taken as legal advice, for the most up to date information on air gun law, please visit this page.