UK Act of Parliament
1968
United Kingdom
Firearms Act 1968
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
55 compliance obligations, 4 practical guides across 2 topics
Penalty landscape
10 of 55 obligations carry imprisonment (6 months). 35 carry different penalties and 10 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 46
- Applicant 3
- Trader 1
Plus 5 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Applicants also bound by 294 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 46 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 30 duties
- The Land Registration Rules 2003 2003 25 duties
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 18 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 14 duties
Traders also bound by 826 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 413 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 243 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 114 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 62 duties
- Building Societies Act 1986 1986 56 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — Provisions as to Possession, Handling and Distribution of Weapons and Ammunition; Prevention of Crime and Measures to Protect Public Safety
Requirement of firearm certificate.
7 years imprisonment- Possess or acquire firearms or ammunition without a certificate Any Person
Requirement of certificate for possession of shot guns.
5 years imprisonment- Possess or acquire a shot gun without a valid certificate Any Person
Business and other transactions with firearms and ammunition.
5 years imprisonment- Unlawful trading or transactions in firearms and ammunition Any Person
Possessing component parts of ammunition with intent to manufacture
5 years imprisonment- Possess ammunition components with intent to manufacture without a license Any Person
Conversion of weapons.
7 years imprisonment- Illegal conversion or shortening of firearms Any Person
Possession of articles for use in connection with conversion
5 years imprisonment- Possess tools intended for converting imitation firearms Any Person
Weapons subject to general prohibition.
10 years imprisonment- Possession or sale of prohibited weapons and ammunition Any Person
Police permit.
6 months imprisonment- Provide false information to obtain a police firearms permit Any Person
Carriers, auctioneers, etc.
6 months imprisonment- Provide false information to obtain an auctioneer's firearms permit Any Person
Equipment for ships and aircraft.
6 months imprisonment- Provide false information to obtain a ship or aircraft firearm permit Any Person
Possession of firearm with intent to injure.
Life imprisonment- Possess firearms or ammunition with intent to injure Any Person
Possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
10 years imprisonment- Possess a firearm or imitation firearm to cause fear of violence Any Person
Use of firearm to resist arrest.
Life imprisonment- Use a firearm or imitation firearm to resist arrest Any Person
Carrying firearm with criminal intent.
10 years imprisonment- Carry a firearm with intent to commit a crime Any Person
Carrying firearm in a public place.
7 years imprisonment- Carry a firearm or imitation firearm in a public place Any Person
Having small-calibre pistol outside premises of licensed pistol club.
7 years imprisonment- Possess a small-calibre pistol outside a licensed club Any Person
Trespassing with firearm.
7 years imprisonment- Trespassing with a firearm or imitation firearm Any Person
Possession of firearms by persons previously convicted of crime.
5 years imprisonment- Supply firearms to prohibited persons or possess while convicted Any Person
Firing an air weapon beyond premises
Fine up to £1,000- Firing an air weapon beyond property boundaries Any Person
Acquisition and possession of firearms by minors.
5 years imprisonment- Unlawful acquisition or possession of firearms by minors Any Person
Exceptions from s. 22(4).
Fine up to £1,000- Allow unauthorized firing of air weapons beyond premises Any Person
Supplying firearms to minors.
5 years imprisonment- Supply firearms or ammunition to minors Any Person
Supplying imitation firearms to minors
6 months imprisonment- Sell an imitation firearm to a person under 18 Any Person
Failing to prevent minors from having air weapons
Unlimited fine- Fail to prevent minors from accessing air weapons Any Person
Supplying firearm to person drunk or insane.
10 years imprisonment- Supply firearms to person who is drunk or of unsound mind Any Person
Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Exemptions from requirement of authority under s.5.
Power to prohibit movement of arms and ammunition.
Authorised dealing with firearms.
Slaughter of animals.
Sports, athletics and other approved activities.
Authorised lending and possession of firearms for hunting etc
Theatre and cinema.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Holder of Northern Irish certificate.
Part II — Firearm and Shot Gun Certificates; Registration of Firearms Dealers
Applications for firearm certificates.
- Apply for a firearm certificate using the prescribed form Applicant
Applications for shot gun certificates.
- Apply for a shot gun certificate in the prescribed form Applicant
Special provisions about firearm certificates.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Police must grant firearm certificates to fit and proper applicants Statutory regulator
Conditions for storage etc of certain firearms
Unlimited fineOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must set storage and transit rules for high-power rifles Crown / Minister / Government department
Special provisions about shot gun certificates.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Police must grant shot gun certificates unless specific safety risks exist Statutory regulator
Variation of firearm certificates.
6 months imprisonment- Provide false information to vary a firearm certificate Any Person
Revocation of certificates.
Fine up to £1,000- Failure to surrender a revoked firearm or shotgun certificate Any Person
Revocation of shot gun certificates.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Police may revoke a shot gun certificate on safety grounds Statutory regulator
Revocation of certificates: supplementary.
Fine up to £1,000- Failure to surrender or return a firearm certificate Any Person
Certificate for prohibited weapon.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Police must grant firearm certificates for authorised prohibited weapons Statutory regulator
Police register.
Unlimited fine- Register as a firearms dealer and renew registration every three years Applicant
Fee for registration and renewal thereof.
- Pay required fees for firearms dealer registration and renewal Any Person
Registration of new place of business.
- Register new business premises before trading as a firearms dealer Any Person
Removal from register of dealer’s name or place of business.
Unlimited fine- Fail to surrender registration certificate or transaction register Any Person
Offences in connection with registration.
6 months imprisonment- Provide false information or operate unregistered firearm business premises Any Person
Compulsory register of transactions in firearms.
6 months imprisonment- Fail to maintain or provide accurate firearm transaction records Any Person
Information as to transactions under visitors’ permits.
Unlimited fine- Fail to notify police of shotgun transactions with visitors Any Person
Browse 18 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Application for, and grant of, certificates.
Certificates: supplementary.
Certificates: limited extension
Revocation of firearm certificates.
Partial revocation of firearm certificates.
Fee for certificate and exemption from paying it in certain cases.
Documents for European purposes.
Renewal of European firearms pass.
Variation, endorsement etc. of European documents.
Fees in connection with authority under section 5
Grounds for refusal of registration.
Conditions of registration.
Exemption from s. 40 in case of trade in shot gun components.
Firearm and Shot Gun Certificates; Registration of Firearms Dealers
Permitted electronic means
Power of Secretary of State to alter fees.
Appeals against police decisions.
Consequences where registered dealer convicted of offence.
Part III — Law Enforcement and Punishment of Offences
Power of search with warrant.
6 months imprisonment- Obstructing a police search for firearms Any Person
Powers of constables to stop and search.
7 years imprisonment- Failure to hand over a firearm or ammunition for police inspection Any Person
Production of certificates.
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to provide name and address to police regarding firearms Any Person
Police powers in relation to arms traffic.
6 months imprisonment- Fail to cooperate with police inspection of firearms in transit Any Person
Forfeiture and disposal of firearms; cancellation of certificate by convicting court.
6 months imprisonment- Fail to surrender a cancelled firearms certificate Any Person
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Special powers of arrest.
Prosecution and punishment of offences.
Minimum sentence for certain offences under s. 5
Part IV — Miscellaneous and General
Service of notices
- Consent to receive official firearms notices electronically Any Person
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Rules for implementing this Act.
Application of Parts I and II to Crown servants.
Exercise of police functions.
Guidance as to exercise of police functions
Interpretation.
Exception for airsoft guns
Power to amend section 57(1D)
Particular savings.
Repeals and general savings.
Short title, commencement and extent.
Schedules
Offences under section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971....
Unlimited fine- Cause criminal damage Any Person
Aiding or abetting the commission of any offence specified in...
Unlimited fine- Aid or abet a firearms offence Any Person
Attempting to commit any offence so specified, . . ....
Unlimited fine- Attempt to commit a firearm-related offence Any Person
Attempt to commit any of the offences mentioned in this...
Unlimited fine- Attempt to commit a firearms offence Any Person
The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition sold or...
- Keep records of firearms sales and transfers with buyer details Trader
Prosecution and Punishment of Offences
7 years imprisonment- Possess firearm or ammunition without a certificate Any Person
In the case of an offence against section 6(3) or...
- Fail to comply with firearms storage or record-keeping rules Any Person
Browse 58 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Offences to which section 17(2) applies
Offences under any of the following provisions of the Offences...
Offences under Part I of the Child Abduction Act 1984...
Offences under such of the provisions of section 4 of...
Theft, robbery burglary, blackmail and any offence under section 12(1)...
Offences under section 89(1) of the Police Act 1996 or...
An offence under section 90(1) of the Criminal Justice Act...
An offence under section 13(1) of the Criminal Justice and...
An offence under paragraph 4 of Schedule 11 to the...
Offences under any of the following provisions of the Sexual...
An offence under paragraph 14 or 24 of Schedule 10...
Offences to which section 17(2) applies
Offences to which sections 17(2) and 18 apply in Scotland
Abduction.
Robbery.
Theft.
Use of threats with intent to extort money or property....
Wilful fireraising and culpable and reckless fireraising.
Offences against section 57 of the Civil Government (Scotland) Act...
An offence under paragraph 4 of Schedule 11 to the...
Offences against such of the provisions of section 4 of...
Offences against the third and fourth paragraphs of section 7...
Offences against sections 2, 3 or 4 of the Explosive...
Offences against section 175 of the Road Traffic Act 1972....
Offences against section 90 of the Police and Fire Reform...
Administration of drugs with intent to enable or assist the...
Assault.
Housebreaking with intent to steal.
Malicious mischief.
Mobbing and rioting.
Perverting the course of justice.
Prison breaking and breaking into prison to rescue prisoners.
Rape.
Jurisdiction and Procedure on application under section 21(6)
Notice of the application, signed by the applicant or by...
On receiving notice of the application the appropriate officer of...
The applicant may at any time, not less than two...
The chief officer of police may appear and be heard...
The court may from time to time adjourn the hearing...
On the determination of the application, the court may make...
The application shall be made to the sheriff within whose...
Not less than twenty-one days’ notice of the application shall...
Particulars to be Entered by Firearms Dealer in Register of Transactions
The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition manufactured and...
The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition purchased or...
The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition accepted for...
The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition in possession...
Provisions as to Appeals under s. 44 of this Act
The chief officer of police may appear and be heard...
On the hearing of an appeal the court may either...
(1) Where in England or Wales a person who has...
Where a person commits an offence under section 17(1) of...
If on the trial of a person for an offence...
The punishment to which a person is liable for an...
The court by which a person is convicted of an...
The court by which a person is convicted of an...
The court by which a person is convicted of an...
Repeals
Other sections — not classified into a Part
These sections sit outside the numbered Parts — usually provisions added or moved by later amendments.
Browse 4 other sections
sch. 5 para. 1
sch. 5 para. 2
sch. 5 para. 3
Possession of a sound moderator or flash suppressor
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Home Office — guide on firearms licensing law (opens in a new tab) Publication
- Gamebirds: licences to release them on protected sites (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Firearms fees from 5 February 2025 (Home Office circular) (opens in a new tab) Publication
- Home Office: firearms licensing (opens in a new tab) from Home Office Detailed Guidance
- HSE: explosives licensing (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Transfer of explosives (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Reporting loss (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Applying for a licence (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order. Administers UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), issues sponsor licences for employers hiring …
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Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.