The message
from "shazzbat" contains these words:

It was something along the lines of possession of a firearm with intent to
cause fear of violence. And affray, too.

Is an air rifle classified as a firearm?

Not in my book, but the police class it as a firearm, and record every
minor transgression with an airgun and add them to their firearms
offences file, to add credibility to their demands for more and more gun
restrictions.

I understand (at least in some forces) that this includes reports of
someone who might be carrying a gun (or a chairleg?), and any incident
where armed officers are deployed.

I call it fraud.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/