More canon

[Dangermouse]

MiLisCer article reminded me that I found this whilst researching Taxi cab law last week. I post it here so that no one gets caught out!

Metropolitan Police Act 1839 - cannon not to be fired near dwelling houses

NARRATIVE
Section 55 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 makes it an offence to discharge certain firearms.

55 No person, other than persons acting in obedience to lawful authority, shall discharge any cannon or other fire-arm of greater calibre than a common fowling-piece within three hundred yards of any dwelling house within the said district to the annoyance of any inhabitant thereof; and every person who, after being warned of the annoyance by any inhabitant, shall discharge any such fire-arm, shall commit an offence.

[dromia]

"Of greater calibre than a common fowling-piece".

So for sake of argument that would be 12 bore, although some could argue that a 10 bore is more common for fowling. So any thing less than 0.729" is good to go then.

[John25]

As I read it, it doesn't become an offence until someone complains and you have received a formal warning?


Question, does the Metropolitain Police Act apply to Devon?

[Polchraine]

Surely a 2" punt gun is a "fowling piece" and they were quite common at one time.

[meles meles]

... and it would take a brave inhabitant to remonstrate with the user of a 2" punt gun over said annoyance.

[IainWR]

Absolutely.

Fowling is exactly what the punt gunners are about.

[Polchraine]

... and it would take a brave inhabitant to remonstrate with the user of a 2" punt gun over said annoyance.

The inhabitants of a Tu-95 would not have much chance to remonstrate ... the ideal gun to use against them, whereas, as I mentioned before, a 10 bore would be fine for a Tu-16!