What is a PCP Air Rifle?
Is a PCP Air Rifle legal to own in South Africa?
• A PCP Air Rifle stands for Pre-Charged pneumatic that refers to the way the rifle is powered.
• The Air Rifle itself is filled with compressed air.
• The Compressed air in the PCP cylinder is made of the same air you breathe in and out, but that air is compressed into a smaller size and kept under high pressure so that the projectile travels at that high velocity.
Definition of Firearm: From the FCA website says:
The FCA adopts a broad definition of “firearm,” which includes any device that can “propel a bullet or projectile through a barrel or cylinder by means of burning propellant, at a muzzle energy exceeding 8 joules (6 ft-lbs.).
Anything with the capacity to “to discharge rim-fire, center-fire or pin-fire ammunition”.
Any device that can be “readily altered” to be any of the above-listed firearms.
Any device designed to discharge any projectile of at least .22 calibre at a muzzle energy of more than 8 joules (6 ft-lbs), by means of compressed gas; or any barrel, frame, or receiver of a device mentioned above.[14]
However, the FCA excludes various devices that would otherwise be considered firearms under this definition. Explosive-powered tools designed for industrial application for splitting rocks or concrete, or for application in the mining or steel industry for removing refractory materials, are not considered firearms.[15] Also not considered firearms are stun bolts used in slaughterhouses, antique firearms,[16] air guns, tranquilizer firearms, paintball guns, flare guns, and deactivated firearms.[17] In addition, the FCA authorizes the Minister of Safety and Security (the Minister) to exclude any other device.[18]
That states that you do not need any permit of license to purchase or own any caliber PCP Air Rifle.