Paragraph 16 – Loaning of air weapons for exempted purposes
289.This exemption allows the holder of an air weapon certificate (or a person who does not hold a certificate but is entitled to possess or use an air weapon without committing an offence by virtue of another exemption) to lend or let on hire an air weapon to another individual who does not hold an air weapon certificate, without committing an offence under section 24(1) or (2). Section 24 otherwise limits the lending or letting on hire of air weapons by way of trade or business (or the possession of air weapons for such purposes) to Registered Firearms Dealers. This exemption only applies provided that the recipient of the loaned or hired air weapon will possess or use the air weapon in accordance with one of the exemptions in schedule 1. For example, this would allow an operator of a recreational shooting facility to lend or let on hire air weapons for the purposes of the exemption at paragraph 12, or a theatrical armourer to lend or let on hire air weapons for purposes of the exemption at paragraph 5.