Firing an air weapon beyond premises

s.21AFirearms Act 1968

Having an air weapon with you on any premises and using it to fire a missile beyond those premises.

Firing an air weapon beyond premises · Firearms Act 1968, s.21ACard 83 / 195

Points to prove

Air weapon – s.1(3)(b): an air rifle, air gun or air pistol that is not a prohibited weapon and not of a type declared specially dangerous by rules.
Premises – s.57(4): includes any land. A garden is part of the premises, so firing from a garden into a neighbour’s garden or the street is covered.
Has with him – a closer link than possession. The weapon must be readily accessible, for example carried or close at hand (R v Kelt 1977).
Missile – any pellet, dart or other projectile fired from the weapon.

Occupier’s consent – s.21A(2): the defendant must show that the only premises into or across which the missile was fired belonged to an occupier who had consented to the firing, specifically or generally.

Applies to people of any age. Inserted by the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, in force from 1 October 2007.
s.23(1): a person aged 21 or over supervising someone under 18 commits an offence if they allow them to fire a missile beyond the premises (level 3 fine; same consent defence in s.23(1A)).
The court may order forfeiture or disposal of the air weapon and any firearm or ammunition found in the offender’s possession (Sch 6, Part II, paras 7 and 8).
Time limit: s.21A is not one of the air weapon offences excluded from s.51(4), so summary proceedings can be brought up to 4 years after the offence, but after 6 months only if brought by or at the direction of the DPP. Consider also criminal damage, or s.19 if the weapon is in a public place.

Legislation: Firearms Act 1968, s.21A (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Mode of trial: Summary only
Maximum penalty: A fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000)
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

What are the points to prove for firing an air weapon beyond premises?

1. Had with them 2. An air weapon 3. On any premises 4. Used it to fire a missile beyond those premises

What is the maximum sentence for firing an air weapon beyond premises?

A fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000)

Is firing an air weapon beyond premises a summary, either-way or indictable offence?

Firing an air weapon beyond premises is a summary-only offence: it is tried in the magistrates’ court.

What Act and section is firing an air weapon beyond premises?

Firing an air weapon beyond premises is an offence under the Firearms Act 1968, s.21A.