[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by susie123

A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the proof whereof lies on him) he has with him in a public place

(1) a loaded shotgun

(b) an airgun (whether loaded or not)

(c) any other firearm (whether loaded or not) together with ammunition suitable for use in that firearm, or

(d) an imitation firearm.

It seems you can carry an empty shotgun in the street but not an empty airgun. Bizarre! Or is the above badly worded and an unloaded shotgun comes under (c) above?

It is badly worded, it should have included the words in a suitable carrying case.
If you have a Fire arm, & a certificate to verify that you are the owner, then as long as it is a case, and you are proceeding to or from a designated shooting place, then its perfectly legal to be in a public place,
An air pistol or rifle within the required legal power, in a case, is also legal if that person is 18 years of age, or over.
You will find the Fire Arms Act on the web site of Cybershooters.
Retlaw