New laws effecting air weapons will come into force this week.
From Thursday, February 10th owners will be liable for a fine of up to £1,000 if they do not take reasonable precautions to stop unauthorised access to their airgun by people under the age of 18.
Inspector Karl Rathbone from North Wales Police’s Conflict Management Unit said:
“I’m sure that most owners look after their air weapons responsibly but this new law will target owners who do not take the appropriate steps to properly secure air weapons when they are not in use.
“For the vast majority of responsible airgun owners, keeping their weapon safely locked up is routine. But when an air gun is allowed to get into the wrong hands the consequences can be tragic. Thankfully, instances in North Wales have to date been uncommon, but having worked previously for the Ambulance Service in Wales; I have seen first hand the damage that these seemingly innocuous weapons can do”.
He added: “For those owners who have a lax attitude to storage, this provision should encourage people to take action to improve safety.”
How to keep your weapons safe:
- Store your airgun out of sight and separately from pellets
- Use a robust, lockable cupboard and keep the keys separate and secure
- Always store your airgun inside a house rather than in an out building, such as a garden shed.
- Never store a cocked or loaded airgun
- When using your airgun, keep it under close supervision and never leave it unattended
The offence has been introduced to Parliament with a Commencement Order enforceable under Section 46 of the Crime and Security Act 2010. The new offence comes into force on 10 February 2011. Individuals will face a fine of up to £1000.
