Firearms Act 1968
What this means for your business
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 41 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
What you must do
41 compliance obligations under this legislation — 15 can result in imprisonment.
Management duties 1
Meet the storage and transit security rules for high‑energy rifles
Unlimited fineIf your business holds a firearm certificate for a rifle that can fire a projectile with more than 13,600 joules of energy, you must store that weapon and keep it secure during transport in line with rules the Secretary of State will issue. This is a real, enforceable duty – failure to follow the rules can lead to prosecution and unlimited fines.
Other requirements 1
Provide written consent to receive electronic notices
If you want any notice under the Firearms Act (for example about your licence) to be sent to you by email or another electronic method, you must give a written statement to the police, the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers agreeing to that. The statement must name the electronic format(s) you accept and the address(es) to use, and it can only be withdrawn in writing.
Payments and fees 1
Pay registration and renewal fees for firearms dealer licence
If you want to be registered as a firearms dealer you must pay a £466 registration fee, unless the police officer reduces it to £30 for temporary event stalls or waives it for boundary changes or business transfers. Each time you renew your registration you also have to pay £466 before a new certificate is issued.
Offences and prohibitions 32
Allow supervised minor to fire air weapon beyond premises
If you supervise a person under 21 who has an air weapon and you let them fire it outside the premises where they are allowed to have it, you commit an offence. This applies to clubs, ranges or any business that permits a minor to use an air weapon. Conviction can lead to fines and/or imprisonment, but the exact penalties are set out in the main offence (section 22 (4)).
Carry firearm in public without lawful authority
5 years imprisonmentIf you, or anyone acting for your business, have a loaded shotgun, an air weapon, any other firearm (whether loaded or not) together with suitable ammunition, or an imitation firearm while in a public place, and you cannot show a lawful authority or reasonable excuse, you commit an offence. On conviction you face an unlimited fine and up to five years’ imprisonment. The offence can be tried either in a Magistrates’ Court or, if more serious, in the Crown Court.
Deal in firearms or ammunition without a licence
If your business manufactures, sells, repairs, tests, proves, or otherwise deals with firearms, shotguns or ammunition without being a registered firearms dealer, you commit a criminal offence. The same applies to pawnbrokers taking such items as pawn, and to anyone producing false firearms certificates. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment.
Fail to comply with police demand to inspect firearms in transit
Unlimited fineIf you have control or custody of firearms or ammunition that are being moved and a police officer asks you to let them examine the items and produce any related documents, you must cooperate. Refusing or obstructing the officer is a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to a fine (unlimited amount) and may be dealt with in the magistrates' court.
Fail to hand over firearm or ammunition when required
If a police constable reasonably suspects you of having a firearm or ammunition and tells you to hand it over, you must comply. Failing to give up the weapon or ammunition is a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine, imprisonment, or both, depending on how the courts treat the offence.
Fail to keep accurate firearm transaction register
If you run a firearms or ammunition business and do not maintain the statutory register of every sale, transfer or manufacture – or you deliberately enter false details – you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you could face a fine and/or imprisonment, the exact maximums being set elsewhere in the law.
Fail to prevent minors from having air weapons
If you own or control an air weapon – for example as a retailer, shooting club or employer – you must take reasonable steps to stop anyone under 18 from having that weapon. Failing to put such safeguards in place (or to check that a young person is law‑exempt) is a criminal offence. On conviction you could face a fine and/or imprisonment, and the case may be tried in either the Magistrates' Court or Crown Court.
Fail to produce firearm or shotgun certificate (or give name/address)
2 years imprisonmentIf a police officer asks you to show your firearm or shotgun certificate, or to give your name and address, you must comply. Refusing to produce the certificate or to provide true details is a criminal offence and can lead to the weapon being seized, an unlimited fine and up to two years’ imprisonment.
Fail to report shotgun transaction under visitor’s permit
If you sell, hire, give or lend a shotgun with a magazine to someone who holds a visitor’s shotgun permit and you do not send the required notice to the chief police officer within 48 hours, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you can be fined and may also face imprisonment, the exact terms being set by the court. The offence applies to anyone who supplies such firearms, not just firearms dealers.
Fail to surrender firearm certificate within 21 days
If a court orders a firearm or shotgun certificate to be cancelled, the holder must return the certificate within 21 days of receiving the police notice. Failing to do so is a criminal offence, which can result in a fine and/or imprisonment, depending on the court’s sentencing.
Fail to surrender firearms dealer registration certificate or transaction register
Unlimited fineIf your name is removed from the firearms dealer register, you must hand over your registration certificate and the record of all firearm transactions within 21 days of a written notice. Not doing so is a criminal offence. On conviction you face an unlimited fine (and may also receive a prison term, depending on the court’s discretion).
Fail to surrender or amend firearm certificate after notice
If you hold a firearm or shotgun certificate and the police send you a written notice to return the certificate (or to return it for amendment), you must comply within 21 days. Failing to do so is a criminal offence and you can be prosecuted.
Fail to surrender revoked firearm certificate
Unlimited fineIf a police chief revokes your firearm or shotgun certificate and you do not return it within 21 days, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you can be fined (potentially unlimited) and/or sentenced to imprisonment.
Fire an air weapon beyond premises
5 years imprisonmentIf you have an air weapon on your premises and you fire it outside the building, or you supervise a person under 18 using an air weapon and let them fire it outside, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to an unlimited fine and possible imprisonment. You can defend yourself only if the landowner gave consent for the missile to be fired across their land.
Make false registration statement or breach firearms dealer registration
5 years imprisonmentIf you lie (knowingly or recklessly) about any material detail when trying to get yourself or someone else registered as a firearms dealer, or when trying to get a business added to the firearms dealer register, you commit an offence. It is also an offence if you are a registered dealer and run a premises that is not listed on the register, or if you fail to follow any registration conditions set by the chief police officer. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment.
Make false statement to obtain a firearms permit
If you (or someone acting on your behalf) knowingly or recklessly give false or misleading information to the police to obtain a firearm or ammunition permit, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine, imprisonment, or both, depending on how the courts treat the offence.
Make false statement to obtain firearms permit
Unlimited fineIf you give a false or misleading statement when applying for a permit to move a firearm, ammunition or signalling apparatus on a ship or aircraft, you commit a criminal offence. The offence applies whether you do it for yourself or for someone else. Conviction can lead to a fine, imprisonment, or both, depending on the court’s decision.
Make false statement to obtain firearms permit
Unlimited fineIf you knowingly or recklessly give false information to the police in order to get a permit to hold or sell firearms or ammunition, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, depending on how the courts classify the offence.
Obstruct a constable or civilian officer during a firearms search
If a person deliberately interferes with a police officer or civilian officer who is carrying out a search under section 46 of the Firearms Act 1968, they commit a criminal offence. On conviction the offender can be punished with a fine and/or imprisonment, the exact maximums being set by the courts for offences under this Act.
Possess ammunition components with intent to manufacture illegal ammo
5 years imprisonmentIf you (or your business) hold any bullet, cartridge case, primer or propellant and plan to make ammunition that would be illegal under the Firearms Act, you commit an offence. On conviction you can be sentenced to up to five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. The same offence can also be tried in a magistrates’ court with a shorter custodial limit and a fine.
Possess articles intended to convert imitation firearms into firearms
5 years imprisonmentIf you or your business hold any item that could be used to turn a fake gun into a real firearm, and you intend to use it for that purpose, you are committing an offence. On conviction you could face up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine. The offence can be tried either in a magistrates’ court or in the Crown Court.
Possess firearm or ammunition with intent to injure
10 years imprisonmentIf you or your business keep a firearm or ammunition and you intend to use it to endanger life, cause serious injury, or help someone else do so, you are committing a criminal offence. It does not matter whether any injury actually occurs. On conviction you face up to 10 years in prison and an unlimited fine.
Possess firearm or ammunition without a valid certificate
2 years imprisonmentIf your business owns, buys or holds a firearm or ammunition that is covered by this section and you do not have a current firearm certificate (or you exceed the authorised amount or break a condition of the certificate), you are committing a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to an unlimited fine and up to two years’ imprisonment. The offence can be tried either in a magistrates’ court or in the Crown Court.
Possess firearm when prohibited by prior conviction
5 years imprisonmentIf you have been sentenced to life imprisonment, a term of three years or more, or even a shorter term of three months to three years (or a youth detention) and you are still within the dis‑qualification period, you must not have a firearm or ammunition. Having one – or allowing it to be kept on your premises – breaches the Firearms Act and can lead to prosecution.
Possess firearm with intent to cause fear of violence
5 years imprisonmentIf your business has a firearm or imitation firearm and you intend to use it, or let someone else use it, to make people believe unlawful violence will be used, you are committing a criminal offence. On conviction you face up to five years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine. The case can be tried either in a magistrates’ court or in the Crown Court.
Possess shotgun without a certificate
5 years imprisonmentIt is a criminal offence to have, buy or acquire a shotgun unless you hold a valid shotgun certificate, and also to breach any condition attached to that certificate. If your business (or you as an individual) possesses a shotgun without the correct certificate, or fails to follow a certificate condition, you can be prosecuted. Conviction can lead to an unlimited fine and up to five years’ imprisonment.
Provide false information to vary a firearm certificate
If you or someone acting for your business knowingly or recklessly lies about any material detail to obtain a change to a firearm certificate, you are committing a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine (which may be unlimited) and/or imprisonment, depending on how the court proceeds.
Shorten shotgun barrel below legal length or illegally convert a firearm
5 years imprisonmentIf you shorten the barrel of a shotgun to less than 24 inches you are committing a criminal offence, unless you are a registered firearms dealer replacing a defective part and the barrel remains at least 24 inches. It is also an offence for anyone who is not a registered dealer to turn an object that looks like a gun into a firearm that cannot actually fire a projectile. Being found in possession of such a shortened shotgun or converted firearm without a valid firearm certificate will be treated as an aggravated offence, attracting the highest penalties.
Supply firearm or ammunition to a drunk or mentally unsound person
5 years imprisonmentIf you sell, transfer, repair, prove or test a firearm or ammunition for someone you know – or have reasonable cause to believe – is drunk or of unsound mind, you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to an unlimited fine and up to five years’ imprisonment. The offence can be tried in either the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court.
Supply firearms or ammunition to minors
5 years imprisonmentIt is a criminal offence to sell, hire, give as a gift or let a person under the relevant age keep a firearm, ammunition, shotgun, or air weapon. The age limits vary (under‑18 for most firearms, under‑14 for certain firearms, under‑15 for shotguns, under‑18 for air weapons). If you breach this rule you can be prosecuted and face imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
Supply imitation firearms to persons under 18
5 years imprisonmentIf you sell or otherwise provide an imitation firearm to anyone younger than 18 you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to an unlimited fine and up to five years’ imprisonment, so you must check ages carefully and keep records of sales.
Unauthorised possession, acquisition or dealing in prohibited weapons or ammunition
If you or your business hold, buy, sell, manufacture or otherwise deal with any weapon or ammunition listed as prohibited under this section without a written authority from the Secretary of State (England & Wales) or the Scottish Ministers, you are committing a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to imprisonment and a fine, the exact limits of which are set elsewhere in the Act.
Registration and licensing 6
Notify police and register new firearms dealer premises
If you are already a registered firearms dealer and you want to start trading from a new address that isn’t on the register, you must inform the local chief police officer and give them the required details. The police will add the address to the register unless they believe it would endanger public safety, in which case they can refuse and you may appeal the decision.
Obtain a firearm certificate before possessing firearms or ammunition
If you want to own, buy or keep a firearm (or ammunition) that falls under the Firearms Act, you must first get a firearm certificate from the chief police officer. You’ll need to prove you’re fit to hold a gun, have a good reason for it and that it won’t endanger public safety. Keep the certificate and its details up‑to‑date at all times.
Obtain and maintain a shotgun certificate
If you want to own or keep a shotgun for your business (for sport, competition or pest control), you must get a shotgun certificate from the chief police officer. The police will only issue it if you are not prohibited by the Firearms Act and you have a good reason. The certificate must be in the prescribed form, list any conditions and describe the shotgun, including its identification numbers.
Register as a firearms dealer and renew every 3 years
Unlimited fineIf you run a business that sells or deals in firearms, you must apply to the local police chief officer to be entered on the firearms dealer register, giving details of every trading address. Once registered you receive a certificate, and before that certificate expires (after three years) you must hand it back and apply for a new one.
Submit complete firearm certificate application
If your business needs a firearm (for example, for security work), you must apply for a firearm certificate using the prescribed form. The application must include up to four photos of you or a responsible employee, the names and addresses of two referees, and allow the police to verify the information before they consider granting the certificate.
Submit shotgun certificate application with required documentation
If you want to own a shotgun you must apply to the chief police officer for your area using the official form. The application may need up to four passport‑style photos of you and a statement from a verifier that there is no reason you should be refused a shotgun.
Penalties for non-compliance
34 penalties under this legislation. 15 can result in imprisonment. 22 carry an unlimited fine.
Carry firearm in public without lawful authority
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Fail to produce firearm or shotgun certificate (or give name/address)
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Fire an air weapon beyond premises
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Make false registration statement or breach firearms dealer registration
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Possess ammunition components with intent to manufacture illegal ammo
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Possess articles intended to convert imitation firearms into firearms
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Possess firearm or ammunition with intent to injure
Unlimited fine and/or 10 years imprisonment
Possess firearm or ammunition without a valid certificate
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Possess firearm when prohibited by prior conviction
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Possess firearm with intent to cause fear of violence
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Possess shotgun without a certificate
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Shorten shotgun barrel below legal length or illegally convert a firearm
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Supply firearm or ammunition to a drunk or mentally unsound person
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Supply firearms or ammunition to minors
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Supply imitation firearms to persons under 18
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Meet the storage and transit security rules for high‑energy rifles
Unlimited fine
Fail to comply with police demand to inspect firearms in transit
Unlimited fine
Fail to surrender firearms dealer registration certificate or transaction register
Unlimited fine
Fail to surrender revoked firearm certificate
Unlimited fine
Make false statement to obtain firearms permit
Unlimited fine
Make false statement to obtain firearms permit
Unlimited fine
Register as a firearms dealer and renew every 3 years
Unlimited fine
Allow supervised minor to fire air weapon beyond premises
Penalty applies
Deal in firearms or ammunition without a licence
Penalty applies
Fail to hand over firearm or ammunition when required
Penalty applies
Fail to keep accurate firearm transaction register
Penalty applies
Fail to prevent minors from having air weapons
Penalty applies
Fail to report shotgun transaction under visitor’s permit
Penalty applies
Fail to surrender firearm certificate within 21 days
Penalty applies
Fail to surrender or amend firearm certificate after notice
Penalty applies
Make false statement to obtain a firearms permit
Penalty applies
Obstruct a constable or civilian officer during a firearms search
Penalty applies
Provide false information to vary a firearm certificate
Penalty applies
Unauthorised possession, acquisition or dealing in prohibited weapons or ammunition
Penalty applies
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Sections and provisions
95 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 11
- s.26A Applications for firearm certificates.
- s.26B Applications for shot gun certificates. application for a certificate
- s.27 Special provisions about firearm certificates.
- s.27A Conditions for storage etc of certain firearms
- s.28 Special provisions about shot gun certificates. such certificate
- s.30C Revocation of shot gun certificates.
- s.31 Certificate for prohibited weapon.
- s.33 Police register. area
- s.35 Fee for registration and renewal thereof. fee
- s.37 Registration of new place of business.
- s.56 Service of notices
Offences and penalties 39
- s.1 Requirement of firearm certificate.
- s.2 Requirement of certificate for possession of shot guns.
- s.3A Possessing component parts of ammunition with intent to manufacture
- s.3 Business and other transactions with firearms and ammunition.
- s.4A Possession of articles for use in connection with conversion
- s.4 Conversion of weapons.
- s.5 Weapons subject to general prohibition.
- s.7 Police permit.
- s.9 Carriers, auctioneers, etc.
- s.13 Equipment for ships and aircraft.
- s.16 Possession of firearm with intent to injure.
- s.16A Possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
- s.17 Use of firearm to resist arrest.
- s.18 Carrying firearm with criminal intent.
- s.19 Carrying firearm in a public place.
- s.19A Having small-calibre pistol outside premises of licensed pistol club.
- s.20 Trespassing with firearm.
- s.21A Firing an air weapon beyond premises
- s.21 Possession of firearms by persons previously convicted of crime.
- s.22 Acquisition and possession of firearms by minors.
- ... and 19 more offences and penalties
Powers 13
- s.6 Power to prohibit movement of arms and ammunition.
- s.26 Application for, and grant of, certificates.
- s.28A Certificates: supplementary.
- s.30B Partial revocation of firearm certificates.
- s.30A Revocation of firearm certificates.
- s.32ZA Fees in connection with authority under section 5
- s.36 Conditions of registration.
- s.42B Permitted electronic means
- s.43 Power of Secretary of State to alter fees.
- s.53 Rules for implementing this Act.
- s.55 Exercise of police functions.
- s.55A Guidance as to exercise of police functions
- s.57B Power to amend section 57(1D)
Definitions 6
- s.45 Consequences where registered dealer convicted of offence.
- s.54 Application of Parts I and II to Crown servants. foreign force service premises
- s.57 Interpretation. firearm lethal barrelled weapon ammunition
- s.59 Repeals and general savings.
- Schedule 1 Offences to which section 17(2) applies
- Schedule 2 Offences to which sections 17(2) and 18 apply in Scotland
Exemptions 13
- s.5A Exemptions from requirement of authority under s.5.
- s.8 Authorised dealing with firearms.
- s.10 Slaughter of animals.
- s.11 Sports, athletics and other approved activities.
- s.11A Authorised lending and possession of firearms for hunting etc
- s.12 Theatre and cinema.
- s.15 Holder of Northern Irish certificate.
- s.28B Certificates: limited extension
- s.32 Fee for certificate and exemption from paying it in certain cases.
- s.41 Exemption from s. 40 in case of trade in shot gun components.
- s.57A Exception for airsoft guns
- s.58 Particular savings.
- Schedule 4 Particulars to be Entered by Firearms Dealer in Register of Transactions