1.-(1) These Rules may be cited as the Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) (Amendment) Rules 1993.

(2) These Rules shall not extend to Scotland.

(3) These Rules shall come into force on 1st July 1993.

2. For rule 2 of the Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969(2) there shall be substituted the following-

"2.-(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, rule 3 of these Rules applies to an air weapon (that is to say, an air rifle, air gun or air pistol)-

(a)which is capable of discharging a missile so that the missile has, on being discharged from the muzzle of the weapon, kinetic energy in excess, in the case of an air pistol, of 6ft. lb. or, in the case of an air weapon other than an air pistol, of 12ft. lb., or

(b)which is disguised as another object.

(2) Rule 3 of these Rules does not apply to a weapon which only falls within paragraph (1)(a) above and which is designed for use only when submerged in water. ".

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules, rule 2 of which substitutes an expanded rule for rule 2 of the Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969 ("the 1969 Rules"), make an addition to the category of air weapons which are declared by the 1969 Rules to be specially dangerous (those already so declared are referred to in paragraph 1(a) of the expanded rule) and which therefore require a firearm certificate by virtue of section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968. The effect of the expanded rule is that an air weapon which is disguised as another object is additionally so declared. An air weapon disguised as another object does not benefit from the exception which already exists in the 1969 Rules (and which is set out in paragraph (2) of the expanded rule) in respect of a weapon designed for use only under water.