http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=541&ArticleID=764913
Hand in your weapons, air rifle fans warned
Guns affected by the new ban can be modified to fire live ammunition
Police say 'grace period' on new regulations is coming to an end
Owners of certain types of air weapons which are about to be banned – unless held with a valid firearms certificate – have been warned that they have just five weeks left to hand them in for disposal.
The new rules came into force on January 20, and affect anyone with an air weapon that uses a self-contained gas cartridge system.
Many models look just like real guns and can be converted to fire live ammunition if they fall into criminal hands.
So far around 20 guns have been handed in to police and certificates covering a number of other weapons are being issued.
But after giving owners until May 1 to get their act in order or face a maximum of 10 years in jail, police have warned owners that their period of grace is nearly up.
The Bedfordshire force believes there are many more weapons affected by the new rules held in the county, and urges anyone affected to take appropriate action now.
The police experts also point out that air weapons using an internal compressed carbon dioxide bulb, or the more traditional type which are cocked by breaking and shutting the barrel, are not affected by the new rules.
But anyone who wants to dispose of any kind of weapon safely can do so by placing it in the bins outside Bedfordshire police stations.
29 March 2004
Hand in your weapons, air rifle fans warned
Guns affected by the new ban can be modified to fire live ammunition
Police say 'grace period' on new regulations is coming to an end
Owners of certain types of air weapons which are about to be banned – unless held with a valid firearms certificate – have been warned that they have just five weeks left to hand them in for disposal.
The new rules came into force on January 20, and affect anyone with an air weapon that uses a self-contained gas cartridge system.
Many models look just like real guns and can be converted to fire live ammunition if they fall into criminal hands.
So far around 20 guns have been handed in to police and certificates covering a number of other weapons are being issued.
But after giving owners until May 1 to get their act in order or face a maximum of 10 years in jail, police have warned owners that their period of grace is nearly up.
The Bedfordshire force believes there are many more weapons affected by the new rules held in the county, and urges anyone affected to take appropriate action now.
The police experts also point out that air weapons using an internal compressed carbon dioxide bulb, or the more traditional type which are cocked by breaking and shutting the barrel, are not affected by the new rules.
But anyone who wants to dispose of any kind of weapon safely can do so by placing it in the bins outside Bedfordshire police stations.
29 March 2004
