PBall LAW Query ( answering my own... )

[legiont3]

I emailed met firearms people to ask about use of paintball guns heres what they had to say -


my email to them -

i know you dont require any kind of certificate to own a paintball gun, but i had a query regrading their use, is it illegal to discharge a paintgun in your own enclosed garden ? or must paintball guns ( or markers ) be only used at designated paintball sites / centres ?. The reason i ask is was was afraid to test fire my new marker in my garden after reading this statement on your website "It is also an offence to discharge a firearm, including an airgun, within 50 feet of the centre of any highway. This includes roads, bridle-paths or public footpaths. The offence is complete if a member of the public is injured, endangered or even just alarmed by the incident." because although my garden is at the rear of the house there is a road, and public pavement at the front.

Here is there reply -

Thank you for your e-mail.

The information on the web-site is quite correct. However, I believe that a court of law would only take issue if the "firearm" was discharged in a public place within the prescribed distance of 50ft, or the missile discharged fell in a public place. Using the paintball gun within your own boundary perimeter, I feel would not contravene this law, provided it was not fired so as to discharge the "shot" beyond your perimeter. Notwithstanding this, and although there is no law designating where paintball guns must be used, if you should cause "fear or alarm" to members of the public passing by your property whilst you are using the "gun", police may be informed. Such members of the public may not readily recognise it as a paintball gun and fear that it is a real firearm. This could result in a police response to investigate the matter. My advice to you is to test or use your paintball gun at a recognised site.
Information contained in this reply is given in good faith and without prejudice, based on our interpretation of the current UK firearms legislation. Notwithstanding this, enquirers are advised to contact their local firearms licensing authority before taking any course of action.
Best regards, Mick Wheeler.
Metropolitan Police N/E Firearms Enquiry Team.

[fleisher]

Seems to make sense,it just says don't act like a pratt and we(Mr Plod) will ignore you:D

[Tortoise-Licker]

So how do you go about not alarming the public?
I sense its time for a big sign hanging on your boundrey saying
' I AM TESTING A PAINTBALL MARKER IT IS NOT A SUB MACHINE GUN SO PLEASE DO NOT BE ALARMED BY WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE OR HEAR AND CALL THE POLICE'
Better to be safe then sorry

[fleisher]

Or get a name as the your streets "bad ass",and everybody will keep a wide berth,it worked for me:D ,what with horrible greasy bikers turning up at all hours, a mates Landie Ambulance parked in my back garden for 3 months and now his 17 tonne cement mixer for a week or so ,it wasn't difficult:D ;)

[Fatbobs]

Originally posted by legiont3
[B However, I believe that a court of law would only take issue if the "firearm" was discharged in a public place within the prescribed distance of 50ft, or the missile discharged fell in a public place. [/B]

Wait a minute, aren't there a number of sites in Yorkshire where you can sit behind a tree and shoot cars on the motorway.

What could be done about these dangerous sites

[father jack]

hey, cant you sit behind a tree at the brighouse site and SPIT at cars, nevermind shoot, if youre in the right place of course.