UK and handguns - LOOOOONG

[Strider]

Hello Tac,
Thank you for taking the time to write this out and sharing it with us. I for one do appreciate it. I hope that Ed or John will keep this as a sticky for everyone to read. What do you thinks guys?

I do have a question about air rifles and here is why.

My daughter has taken up shooting sporter air rifle for the local 4H club. They compete against two other 4H clubs and several JROTC clubs in their district. The clubs best shooter shoots precision air rifle and is one of the top shooters in the state. Her goal is to compete in London in 2012 for the USA Olympic team. My daughter is giving thought to this also and is practicing quit a lot to try and achieve this.

What are the rules/laws concerning air rifles?
Are you allowed to own any?
Are they governed in the same way as other firearms there?
Would the team members be responsible for the rifle or would the US Olympic committe be responsible for the rifle?
Would each team member have to get a permit?
The pellets these rifles shoot are .177 caliber.

I know I asked a lot of questions and I hope you can answer them. Or direct me to where I can find the answers to them. I will check with the folks in Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) and see what answers they can give me.

Thanks in advance for you help with this. Give my regards to Iz.

Your friend,

Sid.
a.k.a Strider