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The next time you're feeling hard done by over air rifle regulations spare a thought...

Ystranc

Ystranc

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The next time you're feeling hard done by over air rifle regulations spare a thought for shooters in other countries. Many have lower muzzle energy restrictions and most cannot legally hunt. Only a few countries like Belgium have absolutely no restrictions on air rifles.

BELGIUM - No restrictions on rifles
BRAZIL - No restrictions
BULGARIA - No restrictions
CANADA - 500 fps limit without a PAL
CYPRUS - .177 only (No information on energy levels at this time)
CZECH REPUBLIC - 12 fpe (16 Joules)
DENMARK - No restrictions, but soon will have restrictions imposed due a change in the legislation.
ESTONIA - No limits in .177, .22 and larger cal FAC required. No hunting with air gun
FINLAND -There is no muzzle energy restrictions but anything over .25 calibers requires a license. No hunting with air rifles and all air rifles can be shot in your own garden so long as it is safe .
FRANCE - 20 Joules. Hunting with an airgun is banned.
GERMANY - 6 fpe (7.5 Joules)
GREECE - No power or Calibre restriction, Silencers and Scopes are banned by law. Hunting is not allowed.
HOLLAND - No restrictions - NO look a like's
HONG KONG - Max power of 2 Joules without an FAC
HUNGARY - 6 fpe (7.5 Joules)
ITALY - 6 fpe (7.5 Joules) must be over 18 to buy, over 10 to shoot it with presence of a parent; >6 fpe you need a f.a.c. and you've to declare the purchase to the police. NO Hunting.
JAPAN - Airguns firing metallic projectiles are considered firearms and require a license for specified use
LATVIA - 12 Joules
LITHUANIA - 7.5 Joules (NO hunting allowed)
LUXEMBOURG - FAC required for everything and anything.
MALTA - FAC required for everything and anything.
NEW ZEALAND - PCPs require Firearms License
NORTHERN IRELAND & EIRE - Airguns or CO2 guns that are in excess of one (1) Joule (0.737 ft/lbf) require to be held on an FAC.
NORWAY - No restrictions
PHILIPPINES - No restrictions but all airguns must be registered at the local police office. No license required (formality)
POLAND - 12.5 fpe (17 Joules) (NO hunting allowed) >17 Joules allowed if gun is registered with police (Formality)
PORTUGAL - .177 or .22 velocity of 1181 fps Hunting not allowed
ROMANIA - FAC needed for everything
RUSSIA - 6 fpe (7.5 Joules) (Unsure of this one)
SLOVAK REPUBLIC - 11 fpe (15 Joules)
SLOVENIA -4.5mm power limit 200m/s, for 5.5 it is 20 joule and below 200m/s and for 6.35 it is 20 joule. Hunting forbidden, silencers forbidden.
SOUTH AFRICA - Below .22 No restrictions on power. .22 and above 7.5J No hunting with airguns, but pest control allowed, no shooting in built up areas. (exceptions for Big Bore when having a hunting license - hunting on larger game)
SWITZERLAND - Over 18 to purchase. Illegal to hunt with an air rifle. No power limit .
SPAIN - 18 fpe (24.5 Joules)
SWEDEN - 7.5 fpe (10 Joules) also maximum velocity of 200m/s. The same for rifles and pistols. Semi or full auto airguns: 3 Joules
TURKEY - No restrictions
UNITED KINGDOM - 12 fpe (16 Joules)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - No restrictions (Except New Jersey, Delaware and Michigan)
 
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Ystranc said:
The next time you're feeling hard done by over air rifle regulations spare a thought for shooters in other countries. Many have lower muzzle energy restrictions and most cannot legally hunt. Only a few countries like Belgium have absolutely no restrictions on air rifles.

BELGIUM - No restrictions on rifles
BRAZIL - No restrictions
BULGARIA - No restrictions
CANADA - 500 fps limit without a PAL
CYPRUS - .177 only (No information on energy levels at this time)
CZECH REPUBLIC - 12 fpe (16 Joules)
DENMARK - No restrictions, but soon will have restrictions imposed due a change in the legislation.
ESTONIA - No limits in .177, .22 and larger cal FAC required. No hunting with air gun
FINLAND -There is no muzzle restrictions but anything over .25 calibers requires a license. No hunting with air rifles and all air rifles can be shot in your own garden so long as it is safe .
FRANCE - 20 Joules. Hunting with an airgun is banned.
GERMANY - 6 fpe (7.5 Joules)
GREECE - No power or Calibre restriction, Silencers and Scopes are banned by law. Hunting is not allowed.
HOLLAND - No restrictions - NO look a like's
HONG KONG - Max power of 2 Joules without an FAC
HUNGARY - 6 fpe (7.5 Joules)
ITALY - 6 fpe (7.5 Joules) must be over 18 to buy, over 10 to shoot it with presence of a parent; >6 fpe you need a f.a.c. and you've to declare the purchase to the police. NO Hunting.
JAPAN - Airguns firing metallic projectiles are considered firearms and require a license for specified use
LATVIA - 12 Joules
LITHUANIA - 7.5 Joules (NO hunting allowed)
LUXEMBOURG - FAC required for everything and anything.
MALTA - FAC required for everything and anything.
NEW ZEALAND - PCPs require Firearms License
NORTHERN IRELAND & EIRE - Airguns or CO2 guns that are in excess of one (1) Joule (0.737 ft/lbf) require to be held on an FAC.
NORWAY - No restrictions
PHILIPPINES - No restrictions but all airguns must be registered at the local police office. No license required (formality)
POLAND - 12.5 fpe (17 Joules) (NO hunting allowed) >17 Joules allowed if gun is registered with police (Formality)
PORTUGAL - .177 or .22 velocity of 1181 fps Hunting not allowed
ROMANIA - FAC needed for everything
RUSSIA - 6 fpe (7.5 Joules) (Unsure of this one)
SLOVAK REPUBLIC - 11 fpe (15 Joules)
SLOVENIA -4.5mm power limit 200m/s, for 5.5 it is 20 joule and below 200m/s and for 6.35 it is 20 joule. Hunting forbidden, silencers forbidden.
SOUTH AFRICA - Below .22 No restrictions on power. .22 and above 7.5J No hunting with airguns, but pest control allowed, no shooting in built up areas. (exceptions for Big Bore when having a hunting license - hunting on larger game)
SWITZERLAND - Over 18 to purchase. Illegal to hunt with an air rifle. No power limit .
SPAIN - 18 fpe (24.5 Joules)
SWEDEN - 7.5 fpe (10 Joules) also maximum velocity of 200m/s. The same for rifles and pistols. Semi or full auto airguns: 3 Joules
TURKEY - No restrictions
UNITED KINGDOM - 12 fpe (16 Joules)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - No restrictions (Except New Jersey, Delaware and Michigan) Also numerous restrictions
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Thanks for the info Mike, I've now decided not to emigrate 🤣
 
Greece is a funny one ? No restrictions on caliber or power....no hunting and scopes are banned??? Wtf unless I’m reading it wrong....what is the point :confused: a mean what you going to do with the rifle then
 
If I’m reading that correct @Bam....may not be as I’ve had 1 or 2 beers....air weapon crimes has increased since the licence was implemented ?
 
Ark79 said:
If I’m reading that correct @Bam....may not be as I’ve had 1 or 2 beers....air weapon crimes has increased since the licence was implemented ?
Click to expand...

No, overall its decreased but its all at a low level so it hasn't really made any difference other than the huge amount of bureaucracy involved and put people off having an air rifle. Just more legislation for the sake of it as far as I can see, there wasn't a massive issue before.
 
I don't know how much actual crime involved air guns before they were criminalised but the tightening legislation has had the effect of actually creating criminals.
Theoretically it requires a firearms dealer to register in order to sell an airgun in England and Wales. Each RFD is required to tell the police in advance where they're offering air guns for sale and record the details of each buyer...this is routinely ignored as air rifles change hands under the radar.
 
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