| Guvnor

Enforced by: Home Office
Status: Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling: Imprisonment 10 of 58 obligations carry imprisonment (6 months). 35 carry different penalties and 13 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person46 Applicant3 Trader2

Plus 7 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts

Human Medicines Regulations 2012 184 duties

Merchant Shipping Act 1995 144 duties

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 104 duties

Communications Act 2003 92 duties

Road Traffic Act 1988 92 duties

Applicant — also bound by 307 other Acts

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 46 duties

Human Medicines Regulations 2012 42 duties

The Land Registration Rules 2003 25 duties

Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (Aircrew) 20 duties

Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 18 duties

Trader — also bound by 825 other Acts

Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 416 duties

Companies Act 2006 243 duties

The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 133 duties

Companies Act 1985 85 duties

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 62 duties

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Provisions as to Possession, Handling and Distribution of Weapons and Ammunition; Prevention of Crime and Measures to Protect Public Safety

25 of 34 sections shown

s.001 Requirement of firearm certificate. Imprisonment

Possess or acquire firearms or ammunition without a certificateAny Person

s.002 Requirement of certificate for possession of shot guns. Imprisonment

Possess or acquire a shot gun without a valid certificateAny Person

s.003 Business and other transactions with firearms and ammunition. Imprisonment

Unlawful trading or transactions in firearms and ammunitionAny Person

s.003 Possessing component parts of ammunition with intent to manufacture Imprisonment

Possess ammunition components with intent to manufacture without a licenseAny Person

s.004 Conversion of weapons. Imprisonment

Illegal conversion or shortening of firearmsAny Person

s.004 Possession of articles for use in connection with conversion Imprisonment

Possess tools intended for converting imitation firearmsAny Person

s.005 Weapons subject to general prohibition. Imprisonment

Possession or sale of prohibited weapons and ammunitionAny Person

s.007 Police permit. Imprisonment

Provide false information to obtain a police firearms permitAny Person

s.009 Carriers, auctioneers, etc. Imprisonment

Provide false information to obtain an auctioneer's firearms permitAny Person

s.013 Equipment for ships and aircraft. Imprisonment

Provide false information to obtain a ship or aircraft firearm permitAny Person

s.016 Possession of firearm with intent to injure. Imprisonment

Possess firearms or ammunition with intent to injureAny Person

s.016 Possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Imprisonment

Possess a firearm or imitation firearm to cause fear of violenceAny Person

s.017 Use of firearm to resist arrest. Imprisonment

Use a firearm or imitation firearm to resist arrestAny Person

s.018 Carrying firearm with criminal intent. Imprisonment

Carry a firearm with intent to commit a crimeAny Person

s.019 Carrying firearm in a public place. Imprisonment

Carry a firearm or imitation firearm in a public placeAny Person

s.019 Having small-calibre pistol outside premises of licensed pistol club. Imprisonment

Possess a small-calibre pistol outside a licensed clubAny Person

s.020 Trespassing with firearm. Imprisonment

Trespassing with a firearm or imitation firearmAny Person

s.021 Possession of firearms by persons previously convicted of crime. Imprisonment

Supply firearms to prohibited persons or possess while convictedAny Person

s.021 Firing an air weapon beyond premises Prosecution

Firing an air weapon beyond property boundariesAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.022 Acquisition and possession of firearms by minors. Imprisonment

Unlawful acquisition or possession of firearms by minorsAny Person

s.023 Exceptions from s. 22(4). Prosecution

Allow unauthorized firing of air weapons beyond premisesAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.024 Supplying firearms to minors. Imprisonment

Supply firearms or ammunition to minorsAny Person

s.024 Supplying imitation firearms to minors Imprisonment

Sell an imitation firearm to a person under 18Any Person

s.024 Failing to prevent minors from having air weapons Prosecution

Fail to prevent minors from accessing air weaponsAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.025 Supplying firearm to person drunk or insane. Imprisonment

Supply firearms to person who is drunk or of unsound mindAny Person

9 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.005 Exemptions from requirement of authority under s.5.

s.006 Power to prohibit movement of arms and ammunition.

s.008 Authorised dealing with firearms.

s.010 Slaughter of animals.

s.011 Sports, athletics and other approved activities.

s.011 Authorised lending and possession of firearms for hunting etc

s.012 Theatre and cinema.

s.014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

s.015 Holder of Northern Irish certificate.

Part 2

Firearm and Shot Gun Certificates; Registration of Firearms Dealers

17 of 35 sections shown

s.026 Applications for firearm certificates. Regulated

Apply for a firearm certificate using the prescribed formApplicant

s.026 Applications for shot gun certificates. Regulated

Apply for a shot gun certificate in the prescribed formApplicant

s.027 Special provisions about firearm certificates. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Police must grant firearm certificates to fit and proper applicantsStatutory regulator

s.027 Conditions for storage etc of certain firearms Prosecution

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must set storage and transit rules for high-power riflesCrown / Minister / Government department

Unlimited fine

s.028 Special provisions about shot gun certificates. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Police must grant shot gun certificates unless specific safety risks existStatutory regulator

s.029 Variation of firearm certificates. Imprisonment

Provide false information to vary a firearm certificateAny Person

s.030 Revocation of certificates. Prosecution

Failure to surrender a revoked firearm or shotgun certificateAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.030 Revocation of shot gun certificates. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Police may revoke a shot gun certificate on safety groundsStatutory regulator

s.030 Revocation of certificates: supplementary. Prosecution

Failure to surrender or return a firearm certificateAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.031 Certificate for prohibited weapon. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Police must grant firearm certificates for authorised prohibited weaponsStatutory regulator

s.033 Police register. Prosecution

Unlimited fine

s.035 Fee for registration and renewal thereof. Regulated

Pay required fees for firearms dealer registration and renewalAny Person

s.037 Registration of new place of business. Regulated

s.038 Removal from register of dealer’s name or place of business. Prosecution

Fail to surrender registration certificate or transaction registerAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.039 Offences in connection with registration. Imprisonment

Provide false information or operate unregistered firearm business premisesAny Person

s.040 Compulsory register of transactions in firearms. Imprisonment

Fail to maintain or provide accurate firearm transaction recordsAny Person

s.042 Information as to transactions under visitors’ permits. Prosecution

Fail to notify police of shotgun transactions with visitorsAny Person

Unlimited fine

18 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.026 Application for, and grant of, certificates.

s.028 Certificates: supplementary.

s.028 Certificates: limited extension

s.030 Revocation of firearm certificates.

s.030 Partial revocation of firearm certificates.

s.032 Fee for certificate and exemption from paying it in certain cases.

s.032 Documents for European purposes.

s.032 Renewal of European firearms pass.

s.032 Variation, endorsement etc. of European documents.

s.032 Fees in connection with authority under section 5

s.034 Grounds for refusal of registration.

s.036 Conditions of registration.

s.041 Exemption from s. 40 in case of trade in shot gun components.

s.042 Firearm and Shot Gun Certificates; Registration of Firearms Dealers

s.042 Permitted electronic means

s.043 Power of Secretary of State to alter fees.

s.044 Appeals against police decisions.

s.045 Consequences where registered dealer convicted of offence.

Part 3

Law Enforcement and Punishment of Offences

5 of 8 sections shown

s.046 Power of search with warrant. Imprisonment

Obstructing a police search for firearmsAny Person

s.047 Powers of constables to stop and search. Imprisonment

Failure to hand over a firearm or ammunition for police inspectionAny Person

s.048 Production of certificates. Prosecution

Fail to provide name and address to police regarding firearmsAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.049 Police powers in relation to arms traffic. Imprisonment

Fail to cooperate with police inspection of firearms in transitAny Person

s.052 Forfeiture and disposal of firearms; cancellation of certificate by convicting court. Imprisonment

Fail to surrender a cancelled firearms certificateAny Person

3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.050 Special powers of arrest.

s.051 Prosecution and punishment of offences.

s.051 Minimum sentence for certain offences under s. 5

Part 4

Miscellaneous and General

1 of 11 sections shown

s.056 Service of notices Regulated

Consent to receive official firearms notices electronicallyAny Person

10 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.053 Rules for implementing this Act.

s.054 Application of Parts I and II to Crown servants.

s.055 Exercise of police functions.

s.055 Guidance as to exercise of police functions

s.057 Interpretation.

s.057 Exception for airsoft guns

s.057 Power to amend section 57(1D)

s.058 Particular savings.

s.059 Repeals and general savings.

s.060 Short title, commencement and extent.

Schedules

9 of 65 shown

s.sch001 Offences under section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.... Prosecution

Cause criminal damageAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch001 Aiding or abetting the commission of any offence specified in... Prosecution

Aid or abet a firearms offenceAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch001 Attempting to commit any offence so specified, . . .... Prosecution

Attempt to commit a firearm-related offenceAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch002 Attempt to commit any of the offences mentioned in this... Prosecution

Attempt to commit a firearms offenceAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch003 On receiving notice of the application the appropriate officer of... Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Crown Court officer must enter application and give notice of hearingTribunal / Court

s.sch004 The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition purchased or... Regulated

Record air weapon purchases and acquisitions in your registerTrader

s.sch004 The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition sold or... Regulated

Keep records of firearms sales and transfers with buyer detailsTrader

s.sch006 Prosecution and Punishment of Offences Imprisonment

Possess firearm or ammunition without a certificateAny Person

s.sch006 In the case of an offence against section 6(3) or... Regulated

Fail to comply with firearms storage or record-keeping rulesAny Person

56 other schedules

s.sch001 Offences to which section 17(2) applies

s.sch001 Offences under any of the following provisions of the Offences...

s.sch001 Offences under Part I of the Child Abduction Act 1984...

s.sch001 Offences under such of the provisions of section 4 of...

s.sch001 Theft, robbery burglary, blackmail and any offence under section 12(1)...

s.sch001 Offences under section 89(1) of the Police Act 1996 or...

s.sch001 An offence under section 90(1) of the Criminal Justice Act...

s.sch001 An offence under section 13(1) of the Criminal Justice and...

s.sch001 An offence under paragraph 4 of Schedule 11 to the...

s.sch001 Offences under any of the following provisions of the Sexual...

s.sch001 An offence under paragraph 14 or 24 of Schedule 10...

s.sch001 Offences to which section 17(2) applies

s.sch002 Offences to which sections 17(2) and 18 apply in Scotland

s.sch002 Abduction.

s.sch002 Robbery.

s.sch002 Theft.

s.sch002 Use of threats with intent to extort money or property....

s.sch002 Wilful fireraising and culpable and reckless fireraising.

s.sch002 Offences against section 57 of the Civil Government (Scotland) Act...

s.sch002 An offence under paragraph 4 of Schedule 11 to the...

s.sch002 Offences against such of the provisions of section 4 of...

s.sch002 Offences against the third and fourth paragraphs of section 7...

s.sch002 Offences against sections 2, 3 or 4 of the Explosive...

s.sch002 Offences against section 175 of the Road Traffic Act 1972....

s.sch002 Offences against section 90 of the Police and Fire Reform...

s.sch002 Administration of drugs with intent to enable or assist the...

s.sch002 Assault.

s.sch002 Housebreaking with intent to steal.

s.sch002 Malicious mischief.

s.sch002 Mobbing and rioting.

s.sch002 Perverting the course of justice.

s.sch002 Prison breaking and breaking into prison to rescue prisoners.

s.sch002 Rape.

s.sch003 Jurisdiction and Procedure on application under section 21(6)

s.sch003 Notice of the application, signed by the applicant or by...

s.sch003 The applicant may at any time, not less than two...

s.sch003 The chief officer of police may appear and be heard...

s.sch003 The court may from time to time adjourn the hearing...

s.sch003 On the determination of the application, the court may make...

s.sch003 The application shall be made to the sheriff within whose...

s.sch003 Not less than twenty-one days’ notice of the application shall...

s.sch004 Particulars to be Entered by Firearms Dealer in Register of Transactions

s.sch004 The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition manufactured and...

s.sch004 The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition accepted for...

s.sch004 The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition in possession...

s.sch005 Provisions as to Appeals under s. 44 of this Act

s.sch005 The chief officer of police may appear and be heard...

s.sch005 On the hearing of an appeal the court may either...

s.sch006 (1) Where in England or Wales a person who has...

s.sch006 Where a person commits an offence under section 17(1) of...

s.sch006 If on the trial of a person for an offence...

s.sch006 The punishment to which a person is liable for an...

s.sch006 The court by which a person is convicted of an...

s.sch007 Repeals

sch. 5 para. 3 sch. 5 para. 3 Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Crown Court officer must enter appeal and notify parties of hearingTribunal / Court

3 other provisions

sch. 5 para. 1 sch. 5 para. 1

sch. 5 para. 2 sch. 5 para. 2

s.002 Possession of a sound moderator or flash suppressor

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

Import licences for controlled goods

How to get import licences for controlled goods including endangered species, controlled drugs, firearms, nuclear materials, and sanctioned goods. Covers which authority …

3 more guides that reference this instrument

Manufacture weapons and ammunition: licensing and major-accident control Run a shooting, game or wildlife management business Sell firearms, shotguns and air weapons

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.

Firearms Act 1968

Does it bind you?

Other Acts binding the same actors

What it requires

Provisions as to Possession, Handling and Distribution of Weapons and Ammunition; Prevention of Crime and Measures to Protect Public Safety

Firearm and Shot Gun Certificates; Registration of Firearms Dealers

Law Enforcement and Punishment of Offences

Miscellaneous and General

Schedules

Help complying

Import licences for controlled goods