Uk gun laws, what the heck is wrong with this picture?

[graywolf624]

Gun laws alert targets owners OWNERS of self-contained air cartridge guns were told today they would face a minimum of five years’ imprisonment if they failed to get a firearms certificate by the end of this month. The tough new measures come as part of a government crackdown on the weapons. Failure to secure a firearms certificate will lead to the new five-year mandatory minimum sentence for illegal possession of a prohibited firearm introduced under the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

So they are going to throw people in jail for 5 years if they don't register their bb guns? I understand the premise for gun control(even if I don't agree with it), but isn't this a tad excessive? Its not like your going to hold someone up with a bb gun..