In England and Wales, you generally do not need a licence for a .22 air rifle if it produces less than 12 foot-pounds (ft-lb) of muzzle energy and you are over 18. If it exceeds 12 ft-lb, it is classified as a firearm, requiring a Firearms Certificate (FAC). However, in Scotland, an air weapon certificate is required for all air rifles.
Do you need a license for a .22 air rifle in the UK?
Air weapons are not licensed in England and Wales, but have restrictions on their sale. Air guns, air rifles and air pistols are exempt from the certification requirement if they are not of a type declared 'specially dangerous' by legislation.
For example, the only semi-automatic guns you can own are . 22LR. Which means AR-15 style semi-automatic rifles chambered in . 22LR are all legal in the UK.
Under 12 ft-lbs: Most . 22 air rifles, including spring-powered and PCP models, fall below this threshold. No licence is required, as long as you're over 18.
Yes, you can shoot an air rifle in your UK back garden, but it's only legal if you ensure pellets never leave the property boundary, have a safe backstop, get landowner permission (if you rent/lease), follow age restrictions (under 18s need supervision), and consider noise/neighbours. It's crucial to prevent pellets from straying, even via ricochet, as this is an offence, as is shooting near roads if it endangers users.
Do You Need a License for a 22 Air Rifle? Ask Me Anything
Can I shoot pigeons in my garden with an air rifle?
Can I Shoot Pigeons with an Air Rifle? Yes — if you follow the law very carefully. Air rifles are commonly used for pest control in the UK, including for pigeons, but they come with a strict set of rules and responsibilities.
In the UK, you generally don't need a license for low-powered air rifles (under 12ft/lb) in England & Wales, but for high-powered air rifles (above 12ft/lb), it's a Firearms Certificate (FAC) costing around £88 for a grant and £62 for renewal; Scotland has its own separate Air Weapon Certificate (AWC) at £72 for a grant. Costs vary significantly by region and the type of air weapon.
Air weapons over 12 foot-pound muzzle energy are classified as “Section 1 Firearms,” requiring police registration and oversight when changing locations. Transport legislation mandates using an appropriate gun slip or case that fully encloses the weapon for discretion and security.
On average, a . 22 pellet can travel up to 400 yards, but for both safety and accuracy, it's recommended to keep your shooting within a reasonable and controlled range. Most . 22 rifle users will be shooting at 45 to 50 yards with fantastic accuracy.
The 9mm offers more stopping power and is a proven self-defense round, but it comes with higher recoil and typically larger firearm size. The . 22 caliber, while less powerful, provides low recoil, ease of use and affordability, making it a viable option for certain individuals.
What can I legally carry for self-defense in the UK?
In the UK, the only universally legal self-defence item is a personal alarm, which creates a loud noise to deter attackers and attract help, with other items like self-defence sprays (even "legal" ones) and tactical pens carrying legal risks as they can be deemed "offensive weapons" if intended to cause harm, making their legality dependent on context and intent, so avoiding them is safest. You can also use reasonable force in your home, but carrying anything outside for defence is generally prohibited, with rape alarms being the primary exception.
The . 22 Long Rifle is an excellent tool for target shooting, hunting small game and training new shooters. For the hunter, a rifle is more often the go-to tool than the handgun, but with either, virtually any shooter can enjoy the benefits and virtues of the . 22 Long Rifle.
Air weapons are firearms if they are 'lethal barrelled'. In other words, if they have muzzle energy greater than one joule (0.7ft/lbs). You'll need a firearm certificate if: your air rifle has muzzle energy greater than 12ft/lbs.
The .22 LR is effective to 150 yd (140 m), though practical ranges tend to be less. After 150 yards, the ballistics of the round are such that it will be difficult to compensate for the large "drop".
Yes, you can shoot an air rifle in your UK back garden, but it's only legal if you ensure pellets never leave the property boundary, have a safe backstop, get landowner permission (if you rent/lease), follow age restrictions (under 18s need supervision), and consider noise/neighbours. It's crucial to prevent pellets from straying, even via ricochet, as this is an offence, as is shooting near roads if it endangers users.
What guns can you own in the UK without a license?
In the UK (England & Wales), you can own low-powered air rifles (under 12 ft-lbs muzzle energy) and airsoft guns without a license if over 18, but Scotland requires an Air Weapon Certificate for all air weapons. Antique firearms (pre-1939, specific types like muzzle-loaders) are also exempt if kept as curiosities/ornaments, but not for use. Deactivated firearms meeting certain standards may also be exempt.
Yes, you can carry an air rifle in public in the UK, but only with a reasonable excuse (like going to/from a club or shop), while it's unloaded, uncocked, in a secure, fastened case or slip, and you are over 18, or under 21 and supervised by someone over 21 if under 18, to avoid committing an offence under the Firearms Act 1968.
Yes, you can buy many air rifles without a gun license in England and Wales if they are under 12 ft/lb power, but in Scotland, you need an Air Weapon Certificate (AWC) for virtually all air rifles, and in both regions, you must be 18+ and show ID. Higher-powered air rifles (over 12 ft/lb in England/Wales) or those classified as "specially dangerous" require a Firearms Certificate (FAC).
Do I need a gun cabinet for an air rifle in the UK?
In many cases, it will be sufficient to store your air weapon in an existing, suitably robust, lockable cupboard - keeping the keys separate and secure. Alternatively, you could use a lock or locking device to attach your air weapon to the fabric of a building, or to a fixed feature.
This General licence (depending on your area) applies without need for sign-up and covers less powerful guns. A Firearms licence is granted on an individual basis after a thorough application process, which includes checks on the applicant's background, mental health, and suitability to possess firearms.
You can shoot mammal pests at any time provided you have the landowner's permission. Air rifles are suitable for brown rats, grey squirrels, stoats, mink and rabbits.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it illegal to: Deliberately kill, harm, or take any wild bird. Intentionally destroy, damage, or remove a nest that is still being used or assembled by a wild bird.
