A POLICE chief has urged people who use airguns to apply for the correct licences or face the consequences.
Superintendent Ian Rowland, head of Criminal Justice at Cleveland Police, reminded airgun owners they must apply for a firearms certificate before the end of the month or they could face a five-year jail sentence.
Guns which can be adapted to fire live ammunition must have a licence before April 30, or be handed to the police.
Supt Rowland said: "This legislation is designed to help prevent such weapons falling into the hands of criminals. It is not there to persecute members of the shooting fraternity.
"People who have these guns will be able to keep them if they obtain a firearm certificate from the police.
"If not, they cannot be sold or given away, these weapons must be handed in to the police for disposal.''
Anyone with any queries about the licences is asked to contact the Force Firearms Licensing Department on (01642) 301352 or (01642) 301201.
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