12 ft/lb limit.
- Thread starter jonnah
- Start date
sir-lamp-alot
Well-Known Member
I expect some over payed muppet pulled the number out of a hat
Guess it was something close to what a springers off the shelf will put out, you have to have a cut off point the same as many things...urban speed limits v motor way etc.
@ 12ftlb they are efficient so can be used in indoor ranges along side the springers just as well out side.
No different to the size of c/fire for deer has etc
tikka_madras
Well-Known Member
I think it was so that you could still have a rifle that was a practical tool for dealing with vermin at reasonable ranges without a certificate. There isn’t really any science behind it, just practicality.
There has been some political noise about reducing the limit to below the level it could cause a lethal wound to a human, but that would render the rifles essentially useless for vermin control, meaning they would all have to go on a ticket.
Difficult one really. There are a lot of numpties out there.
There has been some political noise about reducing the limit to below the level it could cause a lethal wound to a human, but that would render the rifles essentially useless for vermin control, meaning they would all have to go on a ticket.
Difficult one really. There are a lot of numpties out there.
Found this on the Blackpool Air Rifle site
INTERNATIONAL AIRGUN POWER LEVELS
The following list is only a guide to Airgun Power restrictions around the world. If you see any mistakes or changes that need to be made, then please email us hereNote that regulations change and you must make sure you know the law in your country at time of purchasing.
Note: fpe = Foot Pounds Energy, fps = Feet Per Second
- AUSTRIA – No restrictions in fpe but limit on caliber (FAC req for .25 and above)
- AUSTRALIA– FAC required for everything and anything.
- 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 when within City Limits, varies state to state
Hornet 6
Well-Known Member
Whatever made you think there would be a sensible reason for anything to do with firearms ?
Neil.
kennyc
Well-Known Member
rumour used to have it, that the limit was pushed by the UK industry to avoid having to compete with foriegn designs that supplied higher powers than the old fashioned UK designs delivered, it introduced another expense into the foreign production cost to keep the locals competitive, no idea if thats true, although it sounds about right for UK manufacturing at the time
sir-lamp-alot
Well-Known Member
I think when you look at the restrictions other countrys have were actually doing quite well on the grand scheme of things and if we were all of a sudden allowed to have more powerfull air guns as the norm I actually think it would take away from the skills and field craft needed to hint with them and lets be honest some of the airgun boys and girls are way ahead of us centrefire shooters in terms of field craft, effort put in and what they can actually get out of there guns
i think recent eu/uk legislation defined "lethal wound energy level as 1 joule ( 0.737 ft lbs) . Air guns and some toys being given an exemption in the UK.
This made some blowpipes an offensive weapon, thus requiring legitimate users (vetinarians) to I guess apply for a FAC slot for blowpipes. Perhaps a vet who uses blowpipes to administer dart tranquillisers can enlighten us.
Bavarianbrit
Well-Known Member
Not sure if Germany allows any hunting with airguns.
Scapegoat
Well-Known Member
There's plenty to suggest that at the time of the limit being introduced, most UK made air rifles were putting out around 9 or 10 ft lb. This certainly bears out with my first ever rifle, a 1975 Airsporter. European and American rifles were nearer 15 or 16, so the UK industry lobbied hard for tighter controls to suit them.
It isn't necessarily about lethality.... a 12ft lb rifle is certainly lethal enough, but interestingly it's considered that a 12 ft lb rifle won't penetrate an adult human skull.
Power isn't everything though. Ask thousands of UK vermin species about whether you actually need more than 12 ft lb. (or 10 in the case of my old Airsporter......)
It isn't necessarily about lethality.... a 12ft lb rifle is certainly lethal enough, but interestingly it's considered that a 12 ft lb rifle won't penetrate an adult human skull.
Power isn't everything though. Ask thousands of UK vermin species about whether you actually need more than 12 ft lb. (or 10 in the case of my old Airsporter......)
enfieldspares
Well-Known Member
Cyprus I do know is because of a fear people were reaming rear of the barrel and removing the piston seals and weakening the mainspring and then adding a "stud" to the piston and modifying the breech face for this stud to project through to it to make .22 Rimfire rifles. And, yes, I have also heard the same disgraceful protectionism masquerading as a public safety measure regarding the UK's 12 ft/lb limit and the input of then then British airgun makers.
I too have read that certain ‘organisations’ have said that 1 joule is the limit at which a lethal wound can be inflicted.
Given that is the same energy as an airsoft gun, and there’s a whole sport surrounding shooting people with them which I’m not aware has killed anyone, I’d be very keen to see the science for that!
Given that is the same energy as an airsoft gun, and there’s a whole sport surrounding shooting people with them which I’m not aware has killed anyone, I’d be very keen to see the science for that!
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