How to get an Air Rifle Licence in the UK: Guide
For most shooters in England and Wales, owning an air rifle does not require a licence. The legal framework is based on muzzle energy rather than ownership registration, and if your rifle produces 12 ft lb or less, you can own and use it without a Firearms Certificate. That said, understanding how to get an air rifle licence in the UK - and when you actually need one - is essential before you make a purchase or pick up a rifle for the first time.
The rules are not complicated once you know the key thresholds, but they do vary across the four nations. Scotland operates under a separate framework that applies to all air rifles regardless of power and Northern Ireland's approach is stricter again, bringing nearly all air weapons under certification regardless of how low-powered they are. This guide cuts through the confusion and gives you a clear picture of where UK law stands, what the application process involves when a certificate is needed, and how Air Arms rifles fit into this framework as standard.
Do You Need a Licence to Own an Air Rifle in the UK?
The short answer is: it depends on the power of the rifle and where in the UK you live.
In England and Wales air rifles that produce 12 ft lb (foot-pounds) of muzzle energy or less are not classified as Section 1 firearms under the Firearms Act 1968. This means they do not require a Firearms Certificate to own or use. You can buy one from a registered firearms dealer, use it on appropriate land, and store it at home without needing any licence in place.
Age restrictions do apply, however. Under-14s must be supervised by an adult aged 21 or over. Those aged 14 to 17 can use an air rifle unsupervised on private land with the landowner's permission, but cannot buy, hire, or own one until they turn 18.
Scotland is Different
Under the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, all air rifles in Scotland require an Air Weapon Certificate - even those that fall well below the 12 ft lb threshold. This is a meaningful and often overlooked distinction. If you live in Scotland or plan to shoot there, you will need a certificate regardless of your rifle's power output.
So for the majority of recreational shooters in England and Wales, the question of how to get an air rifle licence in the UK only becomes relevant if you intend to use a rifle that exceeds the power threshold - or if you are based in Scotland.
Understanding the Sub-12 ft lb Threshold and What Triggers FAC Requirements
Muzzle energy is measured in foot-pounds (ft lb) and represents the kinetic energy of the pellet at the point it leaves the barrel. For air rifles in England and Wales, the legal limit for unlicensed ownership is 12 ft lb. Exceed that, and the rifle becomes a Section 1 firearm, requiring a Firearms Certificate before you can own or use it.
This threshold exists to draw a practical distinction between low-powered air rifles - suitable for target shooting, pest control, and recreational use - and higher-powered firearms that require greater regulation. The line is drawn at the point where power output moves beyond what is typically needed for lawful air rifle activities.
The power output of a rifle can vary depending on calibre, pellet weight, and mechanical setup. Most commercially produced air rifles are built to operate comfortably within the legal limit, but if modifications are made or a rifle is acquired second-hand, it is worth having the rifle chronographed to confirm its output. A reputable dealer or club can assist with this.
What is a Firearms Certificate (FAC)?
A Firearms Certificate is a legal document issued by your local police force that authorises you to possess and use a specific Section 1 firearm - including high-powered air rifles exceeding 12 ft lb. The certificate specifies the firearm by type, calibre, and condition of use. It is renewed every five years and requires demonstrating good reason for ownership.
FAC-rated air rifles are used by some pest controllers and long-range hunters where extra power is needed for ethical and effective use at distance. These are specialist tools with a specific purpose - not the standard starting point for recreational or club shooting.
How UK Air Rifle Law Differs Across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland
The regulatory picture is not uniform across the UK, and the differences are significant enough to affect how you approach ownership depending on where you are.
- England and Wales: Sub-12 ft lb air rifles do not require a licence. FAC required for anything above 12 ft lb. The Firearms Act 1968 is the primary legislative framework, and if you shoot on own land or other private premises, pellets must not be fired beyond the property boundary.
- Scotland: All air rifles require an Air Weapon Certificate under the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015. There are no unlicensed air rifles in Scotland - the certificate is mandatory regardless of power output.
- Northern Ireland: Almost all air rifles require a Firearms Certificate, regardless of power output. Under the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004, the exemption threshold sits at roughly 1 joule (about 0.737 ft lb) - far below the 12 ft lb limit that applies in England and Wales - so a standard sub-12 ft lb air rifle that needs no licence elsewhere in Great Britain will still require certification in Northern Ireland. Applications are handled through the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) Firearms and Explosives Branch.
That boundary rule is a basic legal safeguard whenever you are shooting on private land.
Scotland's legislation is the most frequently misunderstood. Introduced in 2016 following the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, the Air Weapon Certificate system brought all air rifles under licensed control. Applications are handled through Police Scotland, and the certificate must be in place before you can own or use any air rifle north of the border.
If you shoot at clubs or events across multiple nations - which is common in the Field Target and Hunter Field Target community - it is important to understand which jurisdiction's rules apply at each location. Your home-nation certificate or exemption does not automatically extend across borders.
Travelling Between Nations with a Rifle
If you are travelling from England into Scotland with an air rifle for a competition or shoot, Scottish law applies once you cross the border. Scottish Air Weapon Certificates are available to visitors and temporary residents, and Police Scotland can advise on the correct route. Plan ahead rather than assuming your existing situation covers you.
Applying for a Firearms Certificate: What the Process Actually Involves
When a Firearms Certificate is required - either because you want an FAC-rated air rifle or because you are applying for a Scottish Air Weapon Certificate - the process runs through your local police force, usually via its firearms licensing unit. It is a structured application, but not an especially complex one for a first-time applicant with a clear and genuine reason for ownership.
The FAC Application Process: Key Stages
Submit your application
Applications are made to your local police force using the standard form. You will need to provide personal details and relevant contact details, specify the firearm you intend to possess, and state your reason for wanting it - known as 'good reason'. This could be membership of a shooting club, use for pest control on land you have permission to shoot on, or target shooting.
Medical declaration
You will be required to complete a medical declaration and, in most cases, authorise the police to contact your GP. This allows the force to confirm that there are no medical grounds that would make firearm ownership unsafe. This step is standard and not a barrier for the vast majority of applicants.
Home visit and storage assessment
A firearms enquiry officer (FEO) will typically visit your home to assess your suitability and check that your storage arrangements are adequate. A locked steel cabinet secured to the wall or floor is the standard requirement. The FEO visit is not an interrogation - it is a practical check that your setup meets the necessary standards.
Grant and conditions
If the application is approved, you will receive your Firearms Certificate specifying the firearm and the conditions of use. Certificates are valid for five years and must be renewed before expiry. Conditions may include restrictions on where the rifle may be used.
The Scottish Air Weapon Certificate follows a similar route through Police Scotland, with comparable suitability checks and storage requirements.
Processing times vary between forces, so if you are applying ahead of a specific purchase or event, contact your local firearms licensing unit for current timescales and further information, and build in sufficient lead time.
Safe Storage Rules for Air Rifles - Licensed or Not
Safe storage is not just a requirement for FAC-rated rifles. It is responsible ownership practice for any air rifle, and the law does address how sub-FAC rifles should be handled - particularly in homes with children.
For FAC-rated air rifles, secure storage in a locked steel gun cabinet is a condition of the Firearms Certificate. The cabinet must be fixed to the structure of the property and must not be accessible to anyone other than the certificate holder.
For sub-FAC air rifles in England and Wales, the law does not mandate a specific storage method - but it does place a clear duty of care on owners to prevent access by unauthorised persons, particularly under-18s. Practically, this means storing the rifle out of reach, ideally locked away, with pellets stored separately.
Unsecured Rifles and Your Legal Responsibility
If a sub-FAC air rifle is left accessible and causes harm - particularly to a child - the owner may face criminal liability. The law places responsibility on the owner to prevent misuse, even for unlicensed rifles. A locked cabinet is not a legal requirement for sub-FAC air rifles, but it is the most straightforward way to demonstrate responsible ownership.
Transport rules follow a similar logic. When moving an air rifle in public - for example, to and from a club or shooting ground - the rifle should be unloaded, cased, and not readily accessible. Carrying an air rifle openly in a public place without lawful authority is an offence under the Firearms Act, regardless of power output.
Safe Storage and Transport - Practical Checklist
- Store the rifle in a locked cabinet or secure location when not in use.
- Keep pellets stored separately from the rifle.
- Ensure the rifle is unloaded before any transport.
- Use a hard or padded carry case when transporting to and from a shoot.
- Do not carry the rifle in a way that makes it visible or accessible in public.
- If storing an FAC rifle, confirm the cabinet is fixed to the building structure.
Where Air Arms Rifles Like the TX200 and S510 Tactical Sit Within UK Law
Air Arms rifles are designed and built in the UK with over 40 years of engineering experience behind every product. That heritage means a precise understanding of how UK law applies to the products we make - and every Air Arms rifle leaving the factory is engineered to operate within the legal sub-12 ft lb limit as standard. Across the different types available, common power sources include spring-piston, gas-ram, and pcp air.
The TX200 is a spring-powered underlever rifle widely regarded as one of the finest spring air rifles available anywhere. It requires no external air supply and operates as a self-contained system, using a coiled spring mechanism. As produced, the TX200 delivers consistent performance well within the sub-12 ft lb threshold - meaning it does not require a Firearms Certificate in England and Wales
The S510 Tactical is a pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) rifle built on the award-winning S510 platform, with highly pressurised air cylinders providing the charge. It features a regulated action and is designed for versatility across a range of shooting applications. Like the TX200, it is engineered to perform within legal sub-12 ft lb limits as standard - no modifications required, no licence needed in England and Wales
Other systems include pneumatic models that require manual pumping and CO2 models that use cartridges to propel pellets.
What About Scotland?
Even though both the TX200 and S510 Tactical operate below the 12 ft lb threshold, anyone owning or using them in Scotland is required to hold a valid Air Weapon Certificate. The certificate requirement in Scotland applies to all air rifles regardless of power, so Scottish-based owners should apply to Police Scotland before purchase.
Consider a recreational shooter in England who wants to join a local club and start shooting informally at targets in the garden, where regular practice is how skills and accuracy improve and accurate shooting is typically within about 20 to 50 metres. They choose the TX200 for its simplicity and reliability — and because it operates within the sub-12 ft lb limit straight out of the box, they can purchase it from a registered dealer without any licence in place. Stored locked, transported cased, and shot under the club's code of conduct: this is what lawful, compliant ownership looks like in practice.
Both rifles are backed by Air Arms' 3-year warranty and full support through our authorised dealer network. Entry-level air rifles start at around £200, while high-end pcp air rifles can exceed £1,000 and usually cost more than a pcp air rifle or spring model. You and Air Arms: a winning combination — and your nearest dealer can verify specifications and give you confidence before purchase.
