A quick Google of the UK paintball laws states that paintballs are legal because they fire a "frangible" ammunition which is designed not to penetrate the skin. Regarding BB guns. Unlicensed BB guns are allowed as long as they are under a certain energy level. This link covers it fairly well. http://www.airpistol.co.uk/airgun_law.htm What will need to be determined is if a cannon will be classified as a rifle or a pistol. They each have a different maximum velocities for unlicensed use in the UK. For .177 ammunition the limits are: Rifle: 826 ft/sec Pistol: 584 ft/sec I think if someone in the US with a chrono can measure the velocities they are seeing from their guns, it would help too determine the possibility of the Hobby in the UK. Steve
If you play by fast gun rules (150 psi, 5 inch barrel, ".177" BB) max velocity is 346.67 ft/sec which you'll never actually achieve. Once you get in the 240-260fps range there really isn't much reason to shoot harder. (at that point it turns into a battle over who has the larger ..... and not actual usefulness)
Seems the UK laws regarding airguns aren't so onerous after all except for that shipping restriction. So build your own guns out of plumbing parts, battle on private land with the land owner’s permission, transport the boat in a case, and during transport have no bb’s or co2 loaded. If your still worried, get a chrono to prove the velocity if asked and carry a copy of the appropriate law. When describing the hobby to anybody, always call the cannons “low powered air weapons” and explain that they are exempt from the UK firearms act of 1962 and the 1997 firearms amendment just like toy bb or Airsoft guns.
ok thats all well and good but how many people do you know who just so happen to have a shallow lake on private land? and never awnser back to the police otherwise they WILL find something wrong!! just my 2 pence
