What this covers
Why you need it
Parliament created it. The power to require it comes from Firearms Act 1968.
What the Act carries
What our graph holds for Firearms Act 1968 as a whole — the Act behind this licence, not the licence conditions themselves.
- Duties on businesses
- 51
- Penalties
- 46
- Exemptions
- 13
Duties on businesses under the Act
- Possess or acquire firearms or ammunition without a certificate s.1
- Possess or acquire a shot gun without a valid certificate s.2
- Possess ammunition components with intent to manufacture without a license s.3A
- Unlawful trading or transactions in firearms and ammunition s.3
- Illegal conversion or shortening of firearms s.4
- Possess tools intended for converting imitation firearms s.4A
… and 45 more business duties in the same Act.
What happens if you get it wrong
- Carry a firearm or imitation firearm in a public place 7 years imprisonment
- Carry a firearm with intent to commit a crime 10 years imprisonment
- Fail to cooperate with police inspection of firearms in transit 6 months imprisonment
- Fail to maintain or provide accurate firearm transaction records 6 months imprisonment
- Fail to surrender a cancelled firearms certificate 6 months imprisonment
… and 41 more penalties in the same Act.
Exemptions that may take you outside it
- Airsoft guns exempt from firearm registration and licensing — Weapon fires spherical plastic missiles (max 8mm) with energy ≤ 1.3J (automatic) or ≤ 2.5J (single shot)
- Antique firearms held as curiosities or ornaments are exempt — Firearm must be an 'antique' (based on specific manufacture dates, chamber designs, or propulsion systems) and held solely as a …
- Automatic 8-week extension for firearm certificate renewals — Renewal application made at least 8 weeks before expiry and police decision is pending
- Borrowing firearms for hunting on private premises without a certificate — Borrowing a rifle or shotgun on private premises for hunting or target shooting while accompanied by the certificate holder
- Exemption for firearms used in theatre, cinema, and film productions — Individuals taking part in a theatrical performance, rehearsal, or film production
… and 8 more exemptions in the same Act.
Read our full dossier on Firearms Act 1968
Who issues it
This one does not go to your council. It is issued by Home Office.
Where to apply
Duty, penalty and exemption labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the enabling instrument, not the instrument itself. Fees, forms and conditions are set by the issuing authority — always check the linked source.