Section 23 – Requirements for recreational shooting facilities
89.This section and the exemption in paragraph 12 of schedule 1 set out arrangements for commercial recreational shooting facilities where individuals who do not hold air weapon certificates will be able to borrow or hire air weapons for short durations, for a specific purpose – for example, a miniature rifle range at a funfair.
90.Subsection (1) sets out that the operator of such a facility must hold (or, where the operator is a non-natural person, must ensure that an individual responsible for the management and operation of the facility holds) a valid air weapon certificate granted for this purpose, and must display this certificate (or a copy) at the venue. This requirement allows users of the facility to confirm that a certificate is in place and the exemption in paragraph 12 of schedule 1 therefore applies to them.
91.Subsections (2) and (3) make it an offence for anyone to operate a recreational shooting facility without either holding a valid air weapon certificate or ensuring that an individual responsible for the management and operation of the facility holds one for that purpose, or to fail to display that certificate at the facility without a reasonable excuse. The offences attract strict liability.
92.Subsection (4) defines “recreational shooting facility” for the purposes of the section as a miniature rifle range or a shooting gallery, or a facility for combat games, where air weapons are used and which is run for the purpose of making a profit. Subsection (5) makes it clear that approved air weapon clubs are not subject to the requirements of this section.
