Be a prudent air gun user
Violation of law brings a lifelong regret
Arms licence
The Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance (“the Ordinance”), Chapter 238, Laws of Hong Kong empowers the Commissioner of Police to grant a licence for possession of arms or ammunition (“Licence”) to a fit and proper person so that he can legally possess arms or ammunition. Any air gun (including air rifle, air gun or air pistol) from which a bullet or missile can be discharged with a muzzle energy greater than 2 joules is defined as arms in the Ordinance.
Offences in connection with illegal conversion of air guns
No person shall have in his possession any arms or ammunition unless he holds a Licence. Contravention of which is an offence and may render a person liable on conviction upon indictment to a fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for 14 years.
No person shall deal in (including manufacture, store, sell or repair) arms or ammunition unless he holds a Dealer’s Licence. Contravention of which is an offence and may render a person liable on conviction upon indictment to a fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for 10 years.
Other offences
The Summary Offences Ordinance, Chapter 228, Laws of Hong Kong stipulates that any person who without lawful excuse negligently discharges an air gun to the danger or annoyance of any person shall be liable to a fine of $500 or to imprisonment for 3 months.
If any person discharges an air gun and injures any other person, the person may also have committed Common Assault or Wounding.
Police appeal
The public should avoid converting air guns to prevent the risk of contravening the law by inadvertently increasing muzzle energy to greater than 2 joules.
Shops selling air guns should ensure that the air guns they sell meet the statutory requirements and refuse customers’ requests for illegal conversion of air guns.
Members of the public should be aware that different parts of the world may have their own definitions on 'arms'. For example, when travelling in and out of the Mainland, travellers should not carry with them air guns with a muzzle energy equal to or greater than 1.8 joules, so as to avoid contravening the local laws.
Detailed provisions
Detailed provisions of the Ordinance can be found at the Hong Kong e-Legislation website: https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/