Posting a starter pistol

[Sheprador1973]

Trying to send a dog training starter pistol to another SD member and just wanted to triple check the law again. I understand he must be 18+.

Its an older Rohm 6 shot 6mm blank firer. It DOES NOT have a barrel and discharges the gas through a slotted port along the top. However it is not painted orange or blue. I'm slightly concerned the postal service courier might mistake it for a firearm...with potentially serious consequences for me.

The law governing these things is absurd and I've yet to find advice specific to this scenario.

In addition, Hermes list on their prohibited list " weapons and replica weapons - including decorative, deactivated or air powered weapons". Now I know I not a weapon but will they?

Asking as the last thing I could do with is an avoidable court case or the police knocking at the door.

I hope someone can please clarify the situation either way.

 

[Sheprador1973]

 

[I. Farticus]

I'd go online and see if I could buy one posted from a shop. That should tell you all you need to know

 

[375 mag]

As long as over 18 someone can buy it for use on private land. As for posting why do you need to say what it is. Personally I'd just post it.

 

[Stalker62]

 

[willowbank]

As long as over 18 someone can buy it for use on private land. As for posting why do you need to say what it is. Personally I'd just post it.

If it’s any help I recently bought a small revolver starting pistol from Ebay of all places, it arrived no probs in the post.
Bear in mind though that the onus on safe delivery rests with the seller so don’t use Hermes

Willowbank.

 

[Pedro]

Dummy launchers, which I think are basically the same thing in that they fire blanks (although there's a projectile - the dummy) seem to go through the post without any problem if you buy one online.

 

[Jamouk]

Would this not fall under vcr act ?

 

[Mike L]

Wouldn't the label of contents just read "athletics equipment"?

 

[cjm1066]

Read the legislation, unless it is for a specific purpose it needs to be coloured. Orange insulating tape might suffice.

As for your courier, if you break their rules and they involve the Police

 

[Sheprador1973]

Read the legislation, unless it is for a specific purpose it needs to be coloured. Orange insulating tape might suffice.

As for your courier, if you break their rules and they involve the Police

Exactly. Me and the buyer agreed its just not worth the risk so he has been refunded.

The law is very confusing...in fact no one really seems to know. The guy on the end of the phone from a well known online gun shop (that sells them) stated they have to be sent RFD to RFD!

 

[broad_head]

You can post guns with Royal Mail, think they are now the only people you can use as all the others prohibit guns, real and replica.

 

[saddler]

You can post guns with Royal Mail, think they are now the only people you can use as all the others prohibit guns, real and replica.

Yes - you CAN use Royal Mail, I've used them a few times - read the highlighted bit below.
Also note the part at the top of the scanned page re "Explosives" = that includes primes AND blanks

 

[saddler]

Would this not fall under vcr act ?

YES - and NOT an Act I'd want to fall foul of

The widespread lack of knowledge on here regarding a legal aspect that could have some serious consequences is shocking!
Once upon a time it was always a safe option to stay silent if you were not 100% sure of a topic being discussed.
An item either meets VCR requirements or it doesn't..!

The law IS an ass - they're not lethal items, whether blued steel or painted orange - they fall foul of the Realistic Imitation Firearm clause = yet the streets of most cities are not a stranger to armed youths taking pot-shots at each other to their hearts content, when they're not stabbing each other on the bus home from school or riding stolen mopeds on the pavements to offer free acid peel treatments in exchange for a mobile phone/handbag.