Thread: First Rifle Choice for the Novice Hunter. Some more Notes From an Old Fudd

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

yes you are right Mickey Duck cheap target practice just a pity cant be used in suburbs despite a good set up but yes a definite plus to teach new shooters

Can't be used in suburbs???? Since when???

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Can't be used in suburbs???? Since when???

to the best of my knowledge air rifles cannot be discharged in a built up area I am prepared to be corrected but I have always understood that

I know shooting the pegs so neighbours tighty whiteys fell on ground was frowned upon back in the day... But surely a safe backstop eg heavy ply and shooting on downwards angle is safe...if not where do they actually get used??

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I know shooting the pegs so neighbours tighty whiteys fell on ground was frowned upon back in the day... But surely a safe backstop eg heavy ply and shooting on downwards angle is safe...if not where do they actually get used??

now you have me curious looking it up get back to ya unless someone else on here can find the legal definition

Its as long as you dont “annoy endanger or frighten”.

thats about what I found in my search but I will do some more digging I know if I opened up with one where I live - the boys in blue would be here very quickly

okay section 48 arms act applys no its not illegal to use an air rifle in a built up area but it must be done safely - so the 7 rules apply - it is an offence to use it in an unsafe manner - so supervision comes into play and that means with minors standing alongside them thats true supervision - consider firing zone - not annoying or frightening neighbours - if one told them what you are doing great - have a safe range - use the air rifle safely - and you should be okay - I would be damn carefull but no not illegal

Discharging firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon in or near dwellinghouse or public place
A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to a fine not exceeding $10,000, if the person, without reasonable excuse, discharges a firearm, airgun, pistol, or restricted weapon in or near a dwellinghouse or a public place so as to—
(a)
endanger property; or
(b)
endanger, annoy, or frighten any person.

be good to see that reasonable excuse defined- would teaching Junior to shoot be a fit there ??

"So as to" is key. The purpose is so it's illegal to trash someone's house or intimidate them with an airgun.

the key point is without reasonable excuse what does that really mean

Well, hangfire is not an excuse with an air rifle.
But in all seriousness, 'reasonable excuse' is where a jury comes in. Can you convince 12 of your perrs?

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

the key point is without reasonable excuse what does that really mean

In the wording they have used, reasonable excuses begins with anything that isnt specifically mentioned as not being permissable; so if you are not endangering property, or endangering, annoying or frightening any person, then you are a reasonably good...