Big bore air rifles....

[MrK]

If I understand this correctly a .177 (4.5mm) airgun firing a 8gr pellet at faster than about 580 fps is then a firearm?

[Skaaphaas]

Martin is wrong on this.

[Skaaphaas]

If I understand this correctly a .177 (4.5mm) airgun firing a 8gr pellet at faster than about 580 fps is then a firearm?

No. That’s why the OR is important. It qualifies as airgun because it fires a projectile with a calibre of less than 5.6mm, by means of compressed gas.

But further, just because something is not an airgun, does not mean it’s a firearm.

Martin also doesn’t seem to grasp this.

The FCA has a separate definition for firearm.

[holdingthezero]

The FCA defines what an airgun IS.

Not what it isn't.

Only A) or B) must be true in order for a device to be classified as an airgun.

IF

(A) cal < 5.56mm

OR

(B) energy < 8 joules

THEN

Device = Airgun.

Another example:

You can apply for a Competency Certificate:

IF

A) you are over 21yo

OR

(B) you have DSS/DHS.

By Martin Hood's logic, if (A) = True but (B) = False then you can't apply for a Comp Cert.

[Budlust]

The FCA defines what an airgun IS.

Not what it isn't.

Only A) or B) must be true in order for a device to be classified as an airgun.

IF

(A) cal < 5.56mm

OR

(B) energy < 8 joules

THEN

Device = Airgun.

Another example:

You can apply for a Competency Certificate:

IF

A) you are over 21yo

OR

(B) you have DSS/DHS.

By Martin Hood's logic, if (A) = True but (B) = False then you can't apply for a Comp Cert.

This would then make MOST air rifles firearms, if OR is applied to the energy level.

A 'low-powered', quality air rifle's muzzle energy STARTS at 16 joules (an 8.44gr pellet @around 800fps). This creates an unsolveable conundrum - barring the licensing - or simply BANNING air rifles in order to mitigate the inability to administer.

What now?

[Skaaphaas]

This would then make MOST air rifles firearms, if OR is applied to the energy level.

A 'low-powered', quality air rifle's muzzle energy STARTS at 16 joules (an 8.44gr pellet @around 800fps). This creates an unsolveable conundrum - barring the licensing - or simply BANNING air rifles in order to mitigate the inability to administer.

What now?

NO.

Geez how many times must I say this. Just because it doesn’t qualify as airgun DOES NOT MEAN IT IS A FIREARM.

And secondly, read his post again. It it is SMALLER than 5,6mm, it is an airgun. It DOES NOT MATTER if it fires it at more than 8 joules.

[holdingthezero]

No.

IF (A) OR (B) is True THEN (C)

(A) = Cal LESS THAN 5.56mm
(B) = MV LESS THAN 8 joules
(C) = Device is Airgun

Both (A) and (B) must be false in order for the device to NOT be an Airgun.

This would then make MOST air rifles firearms, if OR is applied to the energy level.

A 'low-powered', quality air rifle's muzzle energy STARTS at 16 joules (an 8.44gr pellet @around 800fps). This creates an unsolveable conundrum - barring the licensing - or simply BANNING air rifles in order to mitigate the inability to administer.

What now?

[Cockroach]

Definitions:

“firearm” means any -
(d) device manufactured to discharge a bullet or any other projectile of a calibre of 5.6 mm (.22 calibre) or higher at a muzzle energy of more than 8 joules (6 ft-lbs), by means of compressed gas and not by means of burning propellant; or
(Paragraph (d) of the definition of “firearm” substituted by section 1(b) of Act 43 of 2003)

[Skaaphaas]

Definitions:

“firearm” means any -
(d) device manufactured to discharge a bullet or any other projectile of a calibre of 5.6 mm (.22 calibre) or higher at a muzzle energy of more than 8 joules (6 ft-lbs), by means of compressed gas and not by means of burning propellant; or
(Paragraph (d) of the definition of “firearm” substituted by section 1(b) of Act 43 of 2003)

Indeed. To be considered a firearm it needs to fire a projectile bigger than 5,6mm AND at a muzzle energy of more than 8 joules. Ie both requirements have to be met.

[Cockroach]

Indeed. To be considered a firearm it needs to fire a projectile bigger than 5,6mm AND at a muzzle energy of more than 8 joules. Ie both requirements have to be met.

As I understand it too.

And to be an airgun it needs to fire a projectile of less than 5.6mm at any energy, or else fire a projectile of any size at less than 8 joules.

So the undefined area comes in when the projectile is exactly 5.6mm, or energy exactly 8 joules?

[/PEDANTIC]