What Age Do You Need To Be To Buy An Air Rifle In The UK?

In England and Wales you need to be at least 18 years old to buy an air rifle. It is illegal to sell an air rifle to anybody under that age.

However there are some circumstances where it’s legal for someone under that age to shoot an air rifle, which we’ll explain in this article.

We should also point out that the law is slightly different in Scotland and Northern Island.

Who Can Use an Air Rifle?

If you’re over 18 years old you can buy an airgun and ammunition (pellets). And you’re able to use it anywhere you’ve got permission.

People aged between 14 and 17 years old are allowed to borrow an air gun and pellets, and shoot it on private premises where they’ve got the owners permission. This can be done without supervision.

However they cannot purchase their own air rifle, receive an air rifle as a gift, hire an air rifle, or it’s pellets.

They also cannot posses an air rifle in public unless they’re supervised by someone who’s 21 or older, and they’ve got a valid reason for having it in public.

People under 14 years old can use an air gun, as long as they’re under adult supervision (who’s at least 21 years old) and on private premises with the owners consent.

They cannot buy, rent or receive an air gun or pellets as a gift. And they cannot use an air rifle without the supervision of an adult. This includes shooting in their back garden – they must be supervised by someone who’s 21 or over.

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.