Is this slingshot legal in the UK?

[Fredxx]

For use on private property of course.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww

Just curious!!

[GB]

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

[Jethro_uk]

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

Isn't there some sort of limit of the "muzzle" energy ?

[billy bookcase]

Post by Jethro_uk

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

Isn't there some sort of limit of the "muzzle" energy ?

Crossbows have a draw weight

edited quote :

Under the Crossbows Act 1987, it is legal to buy a crossbow in England, Scotland
and Wales, and owners are not required to register the weapon or hold a licence.
Similar legislation covers Northern Ireland.

The legislation applies to all crossbows with a "draw weight" - the force
needed to pull the bow into anchor position - of 1.4kg (3lb) or more.

It is illegal:

a.. for under-18s to own or buy one

b.. for under-21s to shoot one, unless under the supervision of someone older

c.. for owners to rent or lend one to anyone else

d.. to shoot one in a public space or any private place without permission

While being transported, a crossbow must be kept in a condition in which it cannot be
fired.

:unquote

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c10ljqgrvyeo

And while a similar draw weight criterion might in theory be applied to catapults
(and 3lbs doesn't sound a lot ) in the absence of specific legislation it remains
only theoretical.


bb

[JNugent]

Post by billy bookcase

Post by Jethro_uk

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

Isn't there some sort of limit of the "muzzle" energy ?

Crossbows have a draw weight
Under the Crossbows Act 1987, it is legal to buy a crossbow in England, Scotland
and Wales, and owners are not required to register the weapon or hold a licence.
Similar legislation covers Northern Ireland.
The legislation applies to all crossbows with a "draw weight" - the force
needed to pull the bow into anchor position - of 1.4kg (3lb) or more.
a.. for under-18s to own or buy one
b.. for under-21s to shoot one, unless under the supervision of someone older
c.. for owners to rent or lend one to anyone else
d.. to shoot one in a public space or any private place without permission
While being transported, a crossbow must be kept in a condition in which it cannot be
fired.
:unquote
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c10ljqgrvyeo
And while a similar draw weight criterion might in theory be applied to catapults
(and 3lbs doesn't sound a lot ) in the absence of specific legislation it remains
only theoretical.
bb

The legislation uses the word "fired" in repect of a crossbow?

Archery tutors insist on the term "shot". Only firearms are "fired".

[Roger Hayter]

Post by JNugent

Post by billy bookcase

Post by Jethro_uk

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

Isn't there some sort of limit of the "muzzle" energy ?

Crossbows have a draw weight
Under the Crossbows Act 1987, it is legal to buy a crossbow in England, Scotland
and Wales, and owners are not required to register the weapon or hold a licence.
Similar legislation covers Northern Ireland.
The legislation applies to all crossbows with a "draw weight" - the force
needed to pull the bow into anchor position - of 1.4kg (3lb) or more.
a.. for under-18s to own or buy one
b.. for under-21s to shoot one, unless under the supervision of someone older
c.. for owners to rent or lend one to anyone else
d.. to shoot one in a public space or any private place without permission
While being transported, a crossbow must be kept in a condition in which it cannot be
fired.
:unquote
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c10ljqgrvyeo
And while a similar draw weight criterion might in theory be applied to catapults
(and 3lbs doesn't sound a lot ) in the absence of specific legislation it remains
only theoretical.
bb

The legislation uses the word "fired" in repect of a crossbow?
Archery tutors insist on the term "shot". Only firearms are "fired".

It makes sense etymologically. Sadly, ordinary speech has little respect for
etymology, generally wondering what insects have to do with the matter.

[billy bookcase]

Post by JNugent
The legislation uses the word "fired" in repect of a crossbow?
Archery tutors insist on the term "shot". Only firearms are "fired".

So you've had archery lessons as well ?



bb

[JNugent]

Post by billy bookcase

Post by JNugent
The legislation uses the word "fired" in repect of a crossbow?
Archery tutors insist on the term "shot". Only firearms are "fired".

So you've had archery lessons as well ?

Haven't we all, at some time in the dim and distant...?

[Adam Funk]

Post by Jethro_uk

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

Isn't there some sort of limit of the "muzzle" energy ?

ISTR reading somwhere that spud guns are legal below some limit on
muzzle energy, but I can't find it now.

[Brian]

Post by Jethro_uk

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

Isn't there some sort of limit of the "muzzle" energy ?

For air guns, yes- or at least muzzle velocity.

Above the set limits ( depending on barrel length - broadly splitting into
rifles and hand guns) they are classed as fire arms.

I THINK the muzzle velocity is 15 ft/ s for rifles and half that for hand
guns but that is purely from memory.

[Fredxx]

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

It seems to side-step legislation where possession of lethal weapons is
criminalised.

My thoughts are that the item is pretty lethal and worryingly more so
than some of the banned weapons such as banned air pistols.

[Roger Hayter]

Post by Fredxx

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

It seems to side-step legislation where possession of lethal weapons is
criminalised.
My thoughts are that the item is pretty lethal and worryingly more so
than some of the banned weapons such as banned air pistols.

Despite the fact that the advertisers call this a catapault (but in American),
this looks remarkably like a crossbow to me. I believe there is legislation
about those.

[Jon Ribbens]

Post by Roger Hayter

Post by Fredxx

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

It seems to side-step legislation where possession of lethal weapons is
criminalised.
My thoughts are that the item is pretty lethal and worryingly more so
than some of the banned weapons such as banned air pistols.

Despite the fact that the advertisers call this a catapault (but in
American), this looks remarkably like a crossbow to me. I believe
there is legislation about those.

The Crossbows Act 1987 regulates them if they have a "draw weight"
of 1.4kg or above, but it basically just sets a minimum age limit
of 21. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 s5 makes it illegal
to hunt wild birds with one.

There were some noises made earlier this year about introducing
new regulations, subsequent to someone being found with a crossbow
in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Christmas Day 2021, but I don't
think anything has come of them yet.

[Clive Arthur]

Post by Roger Hayter

Post by Fredxx

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

It seems to side-step legislation where possession of lethal weapons is
criminalised.
My thoughts are that the item is pretty lethal and worryingly more so
than some of the banned weapons such as banned air pistols.

Despite the fact that the advertisers call this a catapault (but in American),
this looks remarkably like a crossbow to me. I believe there is legislation
about those.

The one shown fires steel balls rather than bolts. I guess it's no more
powerful than a (legal but age restricted) 'Black Widow', though much
quicker, both to fire and to aim.

https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/barnett-black-widow-slingshot/

[JNugent]

Post by Roger Hayter

Post by Fredxx

Post by GB

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

I don't think you need a licence for a catapult, but of course lots of
things can be used as offensive weapons, and the catapult in the video
looks very offensive to me.

It seems to side-step legislation where possession of lethal weapons is
criminalised.
My thoughts are that the item is pretty lethal and worryingly more so
than some of the banned weapons such as banned air pistols.

Despite the fact that the advertisers call this a catapault (but in American),
this looks remarkably like a crossbow to me. I believe there is legislation
about those.

Back in the 1950s, there was a hero in a British comic (the public
school type, in a foreign, Empire-somewhere location) who used a weapon
he called a "catabow". The bow was arranged horizontally (classic
crossbow style) with a pistol grip.

It looked pretty cool to a seven year old.

[J Newman]

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

In response:

Having married an American I can say that their view is that the right
to defend oneself with up to lethal force is a God given right, and the
US constitution merely recognises what is a universal fact that should
be recognised in other countries.

In the UK, the plod (good thing they are blameless and paragons of
virtue) have assumed responsibility over UK subjects' safety and
protection.

It seems the device may fall under the catch-all "noxious liquid, gas or
other substance".

Firearms Act 1968
Under the Firearms Act 1968, the term "firearm" includes items capable
of discharging noxious substances. This law categorizes these types of
devices as prohibited weapons, even if they are not lethal in the
traditional sense.
Specifically, a firearm is defined as:
A lethal barrelled weapon that can discharge a shot, bullet, or other
projectile.
A prohibited weapon, which includes weapons of any kind that are
designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas, or
other substance.

Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997
The Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 further expanded the definition of
prohibited weapons to cover non-lethal items capable of projecting
noxious substances. This amendment was introduced to enhance public
safety by restricting the availability of such items.

[Simon Parker]

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

If it discharges the shot with kinetic energy of more than one joule at
the muzzle then it is considered a "lethal barrelled weapon" per
subsection (1B) of section 57(1)(a) of the Firearms Act 1968 [^1].

Regards

S.P.

[^1] https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/57

[Clive Arthur]

Post by Simon Parker

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

If it discharges the shot with kinetic energy of more than one joule at
the muzzle then it is considered a "lethal barrelled weapon" per
subsection (1B) of section 57(1)(a) of the Firearms Act 1968 [^1].
Regards
S.P.
[^1] https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/57

It's not really a barrel, more a guide.

[Simon Parker]

Post by Clive Arthur

Post by Simon Parker

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

If it discharges the shot with kinetic energy of more than one joule
at the muzzle then it is considered a "lethal barrelled weapon" per
subsection (1B) of section 57(1)(a) of the Firearms Act 1968 [^1].
Regards
S.P.
[^1] https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/57

It's not really a barrel, more a guide.

Tell it to the judge. :-)

Regards

S.P.

[Jethro_uk]

Post by Simon Parker

Post by Fredxx
For use on private property of course.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bYVemituzww
Just curious!!

If it discharges the shot with kinetic energy of more than one joule at
the muzzle then it is considered a "lethal barrelled weapon" per
subsection (1B) of section 57(1)(a) of the Firearms Act 1968 [^1].

I wonder what the kinetic energy of a classic string & pouch slingshot
with a 1cm stone (or ball bearing for modernists) is ?

These were common ancient weapons and by all accounts quite deadly - able
to strike a target with the same force as a bullet ?

Knowing that does support a theory that Goliath was a tad dim.