<Dd> The term "firearm" is defined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. Section 921 (a) (3), to include "(A) any weapon (including a starter gun), which will, or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon ..." Based on Section 921 (a) (3), air guns, because they use compressed air and not an explosive to expel a projectile, do not constitute firearms under Federal law--unless they are manufactured with the frames or receivers of an actual firearm . Accordingly, the domestic sale and possession of air guns is normally unregulated under the Federal firearms laws enforced by ATF . </Dd> <P> Although the federal government does not normally regulate air guns, some state and local governments do; the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence has compiled a list of states and selected municipalities that regulate air guns, finding that 23 states and the District of Columbia regulate air guns to some degree . Two states (New Jersey and Rhode Island) define all non-powder guns as firearms; one state (Illinois) defines certain high - power and / or large calibre non-powder guns as firearms; three states (Connecticut, Delaware and North Dakota) define non-powder guns as dangerous weapons (but not firearms). The remaining states which regulate air guns impose age restrictions on possession, use, or transfer of non-powder guns, and / or explicitly regulate possession of non-powder guns on school grounds . </P> <P> New York City has a restrictive municipal ordinance regulating air guns . Air guns were previously banned in San Francisco, but a state preemption statute struck down the ban, and the San Francisco District Attorney declared them legal as long as in compliance with state law . </P> <P> New York state law prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from possessing an air gun . </P>

Is it legal to own an air rifle in the uk