Slingshot Laws in UK

[mtoolman]

I found this slingshot in the draw, forgotten about it for years.
I cut some tree twigs into ammo shape, and made a few shot into trees in our back garden.
It worked very well - flying about 30 meters onto the hedges and trees.

I am having good fun practicing the slingshot with tree twigs ammo.

But I am aware that there are also laws on using slingshots in UK.
What are they? What are there to be aware of with use of slingshots?

[Smashie]

No specific laws apply other than it's illegal to hunt with them.

However make sure you don't use it to commit another offence i.e. criminal damage

Given the current climate I probably wouldn't carry one

[mtoolman]

Yeah quite right. Too much possibilities with brushing against the law. Just put it back to the draw again. Will just stick to gardening and wood carving.

[G-Dizzle]

No offense meant to any of our UK members, but I continuously grow more grateful that I do not live there.

[Wspeed]

No offense meant to any of our UK members, but I continuously grow more grateful that I do not live there.

No offence taken 
The law is getting worse and worse in the UK and Europe

[Wspeed]

I am surprised that we are aloud
to have a SAK as long as the blade isn’t
longer than 3 inches and the blade doesn’t lock 

[Smashie]

But you do have to bare in mind the differences in geography, USA 85 people per square mile, UK 660 per square mile. Plus all land here is owned, no public land

[AimlessWanderer]

I have one, and play around with it occasionally. As for carrying one, why would you want to? As with cricket bats, 6 cell maglites, golf clubs, or anything else that could be used nefariously by some imbecile, just use them for their intended purpose, and only carry them when travelling to and from the place they will be used safely. There's no reason for it to never be used unless you don't trust yourself to be sensible with it. 

No offense meant to any of our UK members, but I continuously grow more grateful that I do not live there.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. There's a lot of fuss made about nothing most of the time. It's a VERY long way from being the police state that many would like to paints us as. The coppers want an easy life just like the rest of us, they just want scope to intervene when someone's being an arse that's all.

[AimlessWanderer]

I am surprised that we are aloud
to have a SAK as long as the blade isn’t
longer than 3 inches and the blade doesn’t lock 

I've legally walked in front of a court house with a 4" sheath knife on my belt. I had just cause for it. The sub-3" non-locking law is only for when there's no specific reason.

[Kev D]

I have a black widow catapult. It hasn't been out the drawer in quite a while.  I used to get 8mm ball bearings or nuts from work to fire with it.

[mtoolman]

Someone sent me this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=119&v=nP8xjWfU5uI

[Fuzzbucket]

I am surprised that we are aloud
to have a SAK as long as the blade isn’t
longer than 3 inches and the blade doesn’t lock 

I've legally walked in front of a court house with a 4" sheath knife on my belt. I had just cause for it. The sub-3" non-locking law is only for when there's no specific reason.

As far as I know, it would be up to a court to decide what is good reason, so from what I understand, you could still be arrested and charged for that... I could be wrong.

Anyway... when I was young I had a cast metal catapult and I let go of the wrong end by mistake... I've not touched one since. 

[mtoolman]

There is even UK CATAPULT ASSOCIATION.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Wk09-lVA0

So, maybe it is OK, if you are just using it to target practicing in your back garden, or to scare vermins off coming into the garden to mess your lawn or plants?

[AimlessWanderer]

I am surprised that we are aloud
to have a SAK as long as the blade isn’t
longer than 3 inches and the blade doesn’t lock 

I've legally walked in front of a court house with a 4" sheath knife on my belt. I had just cause for it. The sub-3" non-locking law is only for when there's no specific reason.

As far as I know, it would be up to a court to decide what is good reason, so from what I understand, you could still be arrested and charged for that... I could be wrong.

Anyway... when I was young I had a cast metal catapult and I let go of the wrong end by mistake... I've not touched one since. 

Could does not equate to would. The copper would need to overide my legal reason with strong evidence proving I was up to no good. Good luck with that, as I was visibly engaged in the activity that needed it.

[Smashie]

It would also need to meet the requirements of PACE Code G

2. Elements of Arrest under section 24 PACE
2.1 A lawful arrest requires two elements:
A person’s involvement or suspected involvement or attempted involvement
in the commission of a criminal offence;
AND
Reasonable grounds for believing that the person’s arrest is necessary.
• both elements must be satisfied, and
• it can never be necessary to arrest a person unless there are reasonable
grounds to suspect them of committing an offence.

[Fuzzbucket]

Well... I did say I could be wrong. Personally, I still wouldn't risk it though.

[Don Pablo]

But you do have to bare in mind the differences in geography, USA 85 people per square mile, UK 660 per square mile. Plus all land here is owned, no public land

The more people squeezed together, the more that has to give.

[Don Pablo]

It's just like archery... If you're on private land with the permission of the land owner, or at a club meeting, and you pack it away at all other times, its ok.

[Ron Who]

Slingshots are illegal in the Netherlands. I´ve seen fishermen using slingshots for feeding though, and no apparent trouble with law enforcers.

[Don Pablo]

The Netherlands are even more densely populated than the UK. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. 

[Mechanickal]

No it's because they don't stab each other all the time

[Mechanickal]

Sorry guys!
Couldn't let this one go cold.

I'm well aware of the fact that these UK laws are no fun and have nothing to do with the general enthousiast. Which is the reason for my sarcastic reply.

[Don Pablo]

I still think that there’s something to the population theory. 

[Mechanickal]

[SteveC]

Off topic but why do you say draw instead of drawer in England ?   

[Syncop8r]

Some people say that here. It's just bad spelling. 

[AimlessWanderer]

Some people say that here. It's just bad spelling. 

 

[Fuzzbucket]

That's a new one on me, I assumed everyone said and spelt it drawer? 

[SteveC]

I've seen it used a few times before that's why I was wondering 

[Fuzzbucket]

It's probably me Steve, I'm not very observant at times.