Mat Manning offers 20 key tips for garden airgunners to ensure that airgunning is carried out safely, legally and without disturbing the neighbours
- It is legal to shoot an air rifle in your back garden providing you follow the rules. Garden airgunning is a great way to improve your target skills. (Read more on airgun laws here.)
- Any garden with a range of above 20m will make for interesting shooting and allow enough room to set up an air rifle shooting range.
- Make sure that not a single pellets strays beyond your boundary. If it does, you are breaking the law.
- Stay on good terms with your neighbours. Tell them that you plan backyard plinking before you start shooting, and reassure them of the precautions you will be taking. Offer to show them the set-up. You could even ask them if they would like to have a go.
- Avoid setting up your range anywhere that features an unlocked downrange access point.
- Make sure that everyone in your home knows that the garden is a no-go area until you have finished. Children and dogs need to be kept safely out of the way.
- Make a sign…
A cleverly-converted 14th century village hall that’s taken on a new lease of life in Worcestershire
