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So up in Scotland, they are requiring licenses for air weapons (http://airweapon.scot/) which is a thoroughly good idea, because they are now being treated as weapons rather than toys, and they have been badly misused.

However, I don't use mine enough to justify getting a license for it (assuming I'd get one, since I don't have any where or reason to actually use it). So I'm left with getting rid of it. I can always take it in to get disposed of safely on the deadline, but that seems wasteful and I'd hopefully get something out of it.

So does anyone have any ideas on the best way to sell/trade away a .177" side-loading target rifle with a scope with a couple of weeks?

Is there a family member who would look after it outside of Scotland until you find a buyer?

The easiest way to get rid of it in the next two weeks is to take it to a gun shop who either will buy it at a discount or put it on sale for commission.

A private sale is possible but may be more difficult to arrange over the holidays, especially if you want to avoid a "down the pub" kind of sale.

Gunshops...

They could arrange a sale vis commission and handle the hard part. Also a good customer base. They know the people who want them. And people who walk in after them.

Or just plain cash and sell it to shop to sell on for proffit.

Herzlos wrote:
So up in Scotland, they are requiring licenses for air weapons (http://airweapon.scot/) which is a thoroughly good idea, because they are now being treated as weapons rather than toys, and they have been badly misused.

It is totally disproportionate and brings air rifles in to the same category as a .50 cal rifle. It will be easier to get a shotgun licence and has the same failings as the firearms licensing, I.e. No independence, no right to appeal and no requirement for justification of refusal. The police can delay or refuse licences based on the prejudice of the licensing officer (on a personal level) or the chief constable (generally refusing or restricting licences) against home office guidelines and legislation. The biggest issue is the inclusion of the need for a "good reason" before issuing.

However, I don't use mine enough to justify getting a license for it (assuming I'd get one, since I don't have any where or reason to actually use it). So I'm left with getting rid of it. I can always take it in to get disposed of safely on the deadline, but that seems wasteful and I'd hopefully get something out of it.

So does anyone have any ideas on the best way to sell/trade away a .177" side-loading target rifle with a scope with a couple of weeks?

What make? If it's a good one like an air arms then take it to a firearms dealer. If it's a cheap Chinese job then they probably won't be interested.

There are also new laws on the transfer and sale of firearms. Basically you cant anymore. It was a way around phasing out most firearms without having to compensate gun owners. I dont know if that applies to air rifles in Scotland quite possibly it does if they are now to be licenced.

I would first check if transfering or selling your gun is legal as an end user.

Gun shop should know law. I mean its there job to know those laws round sale of weaponry.

Yep second taking it to a gunshop, they'll know the laws or changing laws regarding your weapon. As it's stands even if you cant sell it on they will help you as best they can.
Theres a whole movement in the uk regarding firearms legislation atm being an airsoft player even that is under threat.

I'll have a look at the gun shop route, though I suspect if any are buying it'll be for peanuts since it's obviously a buyers market at the moment. Really should have tried to sell it months ago.

 Steve steveson wrote:


What make? If it's a good one like an air arms then take it to a firearms dealer. If it's a cheap Chinese job then they probably won't be interested.

It's a Norconia B88, quite an old (but still in production) German made one, not particularly expensive (EUR130 new).

 xKillGorex wrote:

Theres a whole movement in the uk regarding firearms legislation atm being an airsoft player even that is under threat.

Airsoft weapons are specifically excluded; the restriction is only above a certain discharge force, which airsoft weapons should be under.

 Orlanth wrote:
There are also new laws on the transfer and sale of firearms. Basically you cant anymore. It was a way around phasing out most firearms without having to compensate gun owners. I dont know if that applies to air rifles in Scotland quite possibly it does if they are now to be licenced.

I would first check if transfering or selling your gun is legal as an end user.

Until January there's no regulations beyond I think being 18. After that the buyer/seller need to be licensed, and with a couple of exceptions (gun club or cadet force member) then possession itself is illegal.

They may be excluded from this ruling but as I said even airsoft has been a point of debate in EU legislation this year, regarding power limits and tighter registration. Hence why the guys at ukapu and other parties have had a busy time making sure the the hobby is allowed to Carry on in its present format.

Don't forget the law in England is not changing, so English gun shops won't be quite as flooded with surplus Scottish weapons. It might be worthwhile checking out some gun shops in the border towns.