Are BB guns still around?

[Arth]

I remember when I was a kid (20 years ago) that plastic BB guns were all the rage for kids.

Are these still around?

Don't know why this popped into my head but just dawned on me that I haven't see one in years and years...

[Grated]

They're restricted or controlled or whatever these days I supposed.

Sif anyone could be bothered getting permission or licensed or whatever to have a BB gun.

[Norton]

What's the junior license age limit these days? 12 I think?

If you can get a proper rifle when you're twelve, who'd bother with a BB gun even if they weren't restricted.

[Guliver]

I wasn't even aware BB guns were ever available here in Australia, I remember seeing them in American comics and wanting one. When I was a kid 50years ago, my mates and I all had .177 slug guns.

Sorry for the off topic reminiscing

[sooey]

I remember you used to be able to buy them at market stalls or places like that?

Maybe they were always illegal, but no one really cared so they still floated around pretty casually?

[Lorgar]

I went on a cruise to New Caledonia and a few other places about 16 or 17 years ago and tonnes of people picked up BB guns on the island and were mucking about with them.

All ditched before returning to Aus though, so they were illegal as of about 17 years ago at least AFAIK.

[Broom]

What's the junior license age limit these days? 12 I think?

12-16 here in Tassie at the range. 16-18 can shoot outside of the range too.

Would be something similar in other states I expect.

[nuthead]

Maybe they were always illegal, but no one really cared so they still floated around pretty casually?

I think this... in NSW at least (from memory you could get them from QLD though)

[Apollo]

I can remember quite a few mate's had BB Guns in NSW back in the late 50's to 60's, whether they were legal or not I don't remember but they weren't hard to get from the local Hobby Shop. Don't think I ever had one but I certailny had a .177 & .22 Air Rifle which were way more accurate. Long time ago in ancient history when things that most kids had are now illegal.

[Old Fart]

I can remember quite a few mate's had BB Guns in NSW back in the late 50's to 60's, whether they were legal or not I don't remember but they weren't hard to get from the local Hobby Shop.

As best I can remember they were just kids toys.

Probably said "suitable for ages 12 and up" on the box or something I guess but that was it.

This is long before the days of the nanny state obviously. Back when the government didn't think we're were all idiots incapable of taking care of ourselves.

[1290]

What's the junior license age limit these days? 12 I think?

12-16 here in Tassie at the range. 16-18 can shoot outside of the range too.

Would be something similar in other states I expect.

here in Mexico 12 up can do everything an adult with a licence can do.... except purchase a firearm in their name.
Range, 'off range', game.

Just like the assistant commish here calling the bolt action savage an automatic, aren't all air-rifles BB guns...because theyve heard the term on the tee vee and it sound kind of dangerous...

Good thing theyre banned..... freakin nuffies

[threeoh]

Good thing theyre banned..... freakin nuffies

Yeah, otherwise some kids might have some fun.

We can't have that.

Nuffies indeed.

[Morro]

In 1980 in Sydney, I bought one from the local sports store at 15yrs old no issue. Used to shoot minor birds & starlings with it untill the power dropped after I suppose 10,000 balls through it. It held 750 bbs in the magazine that surrounded the entire length of the barrel, had the highest velocity and subsequently the highest price at the time ($85) . Ended up as a tin can hitter until it died in 1998.

[Rocker]

In 1980 in Sydney, I bought one from the local sports store at 15yrs old no issue.

The good old days, long gone