T&T: Air guns

[LRZeitlin at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/14/09 12:00:51 AM, Dave writes:


> I just received my new Cabela's catalog and while flipping through it I 
> came across a page of air guns. I don't know a lot about these but I know they 
> are much more powerful then a BB gun but less then a traditional 22 Long Rifle 
> round. This should make these a non-lethal weapon but more effective at a 
> longer range then bear spray or Raid. One company, Gamo, makes several models 
> called the Whisper Series. It looks like a silencer on the barrel. They also 
> have them without the silencer.
> I don't know what the legality of one of these would be outside the US. 
> Anyone else have an idea? For those so inclined these may be a good defense tool 
> to add to the self defense toolbox as no tool will be perfect for all 
> circumstances, each has it's best application.
> 
> 
------

Despite their inclusion in the Cabella's catalog, airguns can be lethal 
weapons. For 35 years, in the late 1700s and early 1800s, the Austrian army issued 
air guns to its troops. The guns had about the ballistics of a 45 caliber ACP 
weapon, and could fire 20 .51 lead balls without reloading. At that point the 
air chamber was changed and another magazine of 20 balls was loaded. The guns 
were more accurate than the conventional musket and had a far higher rate of 
fire. Manufacturing costs, particularly of the high pressure air chambers, made 
the guns uneconomic for general military issue and they were phased out as 
better conventional firearms became available. 

An air gun was featured as a murder weapon in the Sherlock Holmes story "The 
Empty House." 

Given their lethal history, high powered air guns are classified as a firearm 
in most countries. Low powered air guns, firing metal bullets with up to half 
the power of a 22 cartridge are often permitted for sporting and target 
practice work. But check the regulations carefully. Some venues ban all sorts of 
projectile weapons. Airsoft guns, firing plastic bullets at a low velocity are 
usually classed as toys.

While I have used .177 and .22 air guns for target practice and still use a 
BB gun to chase deer away from my wife's flowers, I would hesitate to bring one 
aboard a boat for defensive purposes. Shooting floating empty beer cans is 
another story. If I am ever in a position to point a gun at a potential 
intruder, I want it to be a real weapon, not one that just stings and makes him return 
fire.

Look up air guns in Wikipedia for a run down on types and regulations. It is 
an interesting read.

Larry Z



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