Firearms Act 1968

• (1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (1B) In subsection (1)(a), “lethal barrelled weapon” means a barrelled weapon of any description from which a shot, bullet or other missile, with kinetic energy of more than one joule at the muzzle of the weapon, can be discharged.

• (1C) Subsection (1) is subject to section 57A (exception for airsoft guns).

• (1D) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c), each of the following items is a relevant component part in relation to a lethal barrelled weapon or a prohibited weapon—

• (a) a barrel, chamber or cylinder,

• (b) a frame, body or receiver,

• (c) a breech block, bolt or other mechanism for containing the pressure of discharge at the rear of a chamber,

but only where the item is capable of being used as a part of a lethal barrelled weapon or a prohibited weapon.

• (2) In this Act, the expression “ammunition” means ammunition for any firearm and includes grenades, bombs and other like missiles, whether capable of use with a firearm or not, and also includes prohibited ammunition.

• (2A) In this Act “self-loading” and “pump-action” in relation to any weapon mean respectively that it is designed or adapted (otherwise than as mentioned in section 5(1)(a)) so that it is automatically re-loaded or that it is so designed or adapted that it is re–loaded by the manual operation of the fore–end or forestock of the weapon.

• (2B) In this Act “revolver”, in relation to a smooth-bore gun, means a gun containing a series of chambers which revolve when the gun is fired.

• (3) For purposes of sections 45, 46, 50, 51(4) and 52 of this Act, the offences under this Act relating specifically to air weapons are those under sections 22(4), 22(5), 23(1) 21A(1A) , 24(4) and 24ZA(1) .

• (4) In this Act—

• “acquire” means hire, accept as a gift or borrow and “acquisition” shall be construed accordingly;

• “air weapon” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(3)(b) of this Act;

• ...

• “area” means a police area;

• ...

• “British Transport Police Force” means the constables appointed under section 53 of the British Transport Commission Act 1949;

• “certificate” (except in a context relating to the registration of firearms dealers) and “certificate under this Act” mean a firearm certificate or a shot gun certificate and—“firearm certificate” means a certificate granted by a chief officer of police under this Act in respect of any firearm or ammunition to which section 1 of this Act applies and includes a certificate granted in Northern Ireland under section 1 of the Firearms Act 1920 or under an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland amending or substituted for that section; and“shot gun certificate” means a certificate granted by a chief officer of police under this Act and authorising a person to possess shot guns;

• “civilian officer” means— as respects England and Wales—a person employed by a chief constable established under section 2 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011,a person employed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, ora person employed by the Corporation of the City of London who is under the direction and control of the Commissioner of Police for the City of London;as respects Scotland, a member of police staff within the meaning of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 ;

• ...

• “European weapons directive” means the directive of the Council of the European Communities No.91/477/EEC (directive on the control of the acquisition and possession of weapons);“firearms dealer” means a person who, by way of trade or business, manufactures, sells, transfers, repairs, tests or proves firearms or ammunition to which section 1 of this Act applies orshot guns; orsells or transfers manufactures, sells, transfers, repairs or tests air weapons.“imitation firearm” means any thing which has the appearance of being a firearm (other than such a weapon as is mentioned in section 5(1)(b) of this Act) whether or not it is capable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile; “member of a police force” means— as respects England and Wales, a constable who is a member of a police force or a special constable appointed under section 27 of the Police Act 1996;as respects Scotland, a constable within the meaning of section 99 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (2012 asp 8);“member of the British Transport Police Force” includes a special constable appointed under section 25 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003;. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “premises” includes any land;“prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Secretary of State under section 53 of this Act;“prohibited weapon” and “prohibited ammunition” have the meanings assigned to them by section 5(2) of this Act;“public place” includes any highwayroad within the meaning of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984) and any other premises or place to which at the material time the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise;“registered”, in relation to a firearms dealer, means registered either—in Great Britain, under section 33 of this Act, orin Northern Ireland, under section 8 of the Firearms Act 1920 or any enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland amending or substituted for that section,and references to “the register”, “registration” and a “certificate of registration” shall be construed accordingly, except in section 40; “rifle”includes carbine;“shot gun” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(3)(a) of this Act and, in sections 3(1) and 45(2) of this Act and in the definition of “firearms dealer”, includes any component part of a shot gun and any accessory to a shot gun designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing the gun;“slaughtering instrument” means a firearm which is specially designed or adapted for the instantaneous slaughter of animals or for the instantaneous stunning of animals with a view to slaughtering them; and“transfer” includes let on hire, give, lend and part with possession, and “transferee” and “transferor” shall be construed accordingly.

• (4A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (5) The definitions in subsections (1) to (3) above apply to the provisions of this Act except where the context otherwise requires.

• (6) For purposes of this Act—

• (a) the length of the barrel of a firearm shall be measured from the muzzle to the point at which the charge is exploded on firing; and

• (b) a shot gun or an air weapon shall be deemed to be loaded if there is ammunition in the chamber or barrel or in any magazine or other device which is in such a position that the ammunition can be fed into the chamber or barrel by the manual or automatic operation of some part of the gun or weapon.

Particular savings

58

• (1) Nothing in this Act shall apply to the proof houses of the Master, Wardens and Society of the Mystery of Gunmakers of the City of London and the guardians of the Birmingham proof house or the rifle range at Small Heath in Birmingham where firearms are sighted and tested, so as to interfere in any way with the operations of those two companies in proving firearms under the provisions of the Gun Barrel Proof Act 1868 or any other Acts for the time being in force, or to any person carrying firearms to or from any such proof house when being taken to such proof house for the purposes of proof or being removed therefrom after proof.

• (2) Apart from—

• (a) sections 19, 20 and 21 and Schedule 3, and

• (b) any other provision of this Act so far as it applies in relation to an offence under section 19, 20 or 21,

nothing in this Act relating to firearms shall apply to an antique firearm which is sold, transferred, purchased, acquired or possessed as a curiosity or ornament.

• (2A) For the purposes of subsection (2), a firearm is an “antique firearm” if—

• (a) either the conditions in subsection (2B) are met or the condition in subsection (2C) is met, and

• (b) if an additional condition is specified in regulations under subsection (2D), that condition is also met.

• (2B) The conditions in this subsection are that—

• (a) the firearm's chamber or, if the firearm has more than one chamber, each of its chambers is either—

• (i) a chamber that the firearm had when it was manufactured, or

• (ii) a replacement for such a chamber that is identical to it in all material respects;

• (b) the firearm's chamber or (as the case may be) each of the firearm's chambers is designed for use with a cartridge of a description specified in regulations made by statutory instrument by the Secretary of State (whether or not it is also capable of being used with other cartridges).

• (2C) The condition in this subsection is that the firearm's propulsion system is of a description specified in regulations made by statutory instrument by the Secretary of State.

• (2D) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument specify either of the following conditions for the purposes of subsection (2A)(b)—

• (a) a condition that a number of years specified in the regulations has elapsed since the date on which the firearm was manufactured;

• (b) a condition that the firearm was manufactured before a date specified in the regulations.

• (2E) In its application to Scotland, subsection (2C) does not apply in relation to a firearm that is an air weapon.

• (2F) Regulations under subsection (2B), (2C) or (2D) may make different provision for different purposes.

• (2G) Subject to subsection (2H), a statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (2B), (2C) or (2D) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

• (2H) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (2B) or (2C) which contain only provision amending regulations previously made under that subsection so as to remove a description of cartridge or a description of propulsion system from the descriptions specified in those regulations is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

• (3) The provisions of this Act relating to ammunition shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any enactment relating to the keeping and sale of explosives.

• (4) The powers of arrest and entry conferred by Part III of this Act shall be without prejudice to any power of arrest or entry which may exist apart from this Act; and section 52(3) of this Act is not to be taken as prejudicing the power of a constable, when arresting a person for an offence, to seize property found in his possession or any other power of a constable to seize firearms, ammunition or other property, being a power exercisable apart from that subsection.

• (5) Nothing in this Act relieves any person using or carrying a firearm from his obligation to take out a licence to kill game under the enactments requiring such a licence.

Repeals and general savings

59

• (1) The enactments specified in the second column of Schedule 7 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

• (2) In so far as any certificate, authority or permit granted, order or rule made, registration effected, or other thing done under an enactment repealed by this Act could have been granted, made, effected or done under a corresponding provision of this Act, it shall not be invalidated by the repeal of that enactment but shall have effect as if granted, made, effected or done under that corresponding provision; and for the purposes of this provision anything which under section 33(1) or (2) of the Firearms Act 1937 had effect as if done under any enactment in that Act shall, so far as may be necessary for the continuity of the law, be treated as done under the corresponding enactment in this Act.

• (3) Any document referring to an enactment repealed by this Act or by the Firearms Act 1937 shall, so far as may be necessary for preserving its effect, be construed as referring, or as including a reference, to the corresponding enactment in this Act.

• (4) The mention of particular matters in this section shall not be taken to affect the general application of section 38 of the Interpretation Act 1889 with regard to the effect of repeals.

Short title, commencement and extent

60

• (1) This Act may be cited as the Firearms Act 1968.

• (2) This Act shall come into force on 1st August 1968.

• (3) This Act shall not extend to Northern Ireland.

SCHEDULE 1

1

Offences under section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

2

Offences under any of the following provisions of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861:—

• sections 20 to 22 (inflicting bodily injury; garrotting; criminal use of stupefying drugs);

• section 30 (laying explosive to building etc. );

• section 32 (endangering railway passengers by tampering with track);

• section 38 (assault with intent to commit felony or resist arrest);

• section 47 (criminal assaults);

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

Offences under such of the provisions of section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 as are referred to in and amended by section 15 of the Prevention of Crimes Act 1871 and section 7 of the Penal Servitude Act 1891 (suspected persons and reputed thieves being abroad with criminal intent).

4

Theft, robbery burglary, blackmail and any offence under section 12(1) (taking of motor vehicle or other conveyance without owner’s consent) of the Theft Act 1968.

5

Offences under section 89(1) of the Police Act 1996 or section 90 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (assaulting or impeding police) .

6

Offences under any of the following provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003—

• (a) section 1 (rape);

• (b) section 2 (assault by penetration);

• (c) section 4 (causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent), where the activity caused involved penetration within subsection (4)(a) to (d) of that section;

• (d) section 5 (rape of a child under 13);

• (e) section 6 (assault of a child under 13 by penetration);

• (f) section 8 (causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity), where an activity involving penetration within subsection (3)(a) to (d) of that section was caused;

• (g) section 30 (sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice), where the touching involved penetration within subsection (3)(a) to (d) of that section;

• (h) section 31 (causing or inciting a person, with a mental disorder impeding choice, to engage in sexual activity), where an activity involving penetration within subsection (3)(a) to (d) of that section was caused.

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

Aiding or abetting the commission of any offence specified in paragraphs 1 to 6A of this Schedule.

9

Attempting to commit any offence so specified, . . .

SCHEDULE 2

Common Law Offences

1

Abduction.

2

Administration of drugs with intent to enable or assist the commission of a crime.

3

Assault.

4

Housebreaking with intent to steal.

5

Malicious mischief.

6

Mobbing and rioting.

7

Perverting the course of justice.

8

Prison breaking and breaking into prison to rescue prisoners.

9

Rape.

10

Robbery.

11

Theft.

12

Use of threats with intent to extort money or property.

13

Wilful fireraising and culpable and reckless fireraising.

Statutory Offences

14

Offences against such of the provisions of section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 as are extended to Scotland by section 15 of the Prevention of Crimes Act 1871.

15

Offences against the third and fourth paragraphs of section 7 of the Prevention of Crimes Act 1871.

16

Offences against sections 2, 3 or 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883.

17

Offences against section 175 of the Road Traffic Act 1972.

18

Offences against section 90 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.

Attempts

19

Attempt to commit any of the offences mentioned in this Schedule.

SCHEDULE 3

Part I — Application to the Crown Court (England and Wales)

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Notice of the application, signed by the applicant or by his agent on his behalf and stating the general grounds of the application, shall be given by him to the appropriate officer of the Crown Court and also to the chief officer of police for the area in which the applicant resides.

3

On receiving notice of the application the appropriate officer of the Crown Court shall enter the application and give notice to the applicant, and to the chief officer of police to whom the notice of the application is required by paragraph 2 of this Schedule to be given, of the date, time and place fixed for the hearing; but the date shall not be less than twenty-one clear days after the date when the appropriate officer of the Crown Court received the notice of the application.

4

The applicant may at any time, not less than two clear days before the date fixed for the hearing, abandon his application by giving notice in writing to the appropriate officer of the Crown Court and to the chief officer of police; and if he does so the Crown Court (hereafter in this Schedule referred to as “the court”) may order the applicant to pay to the chief officer of police such costs as appear to it to be just and reasonable in respect of expenses properly incurred by him in connection with the application before notice of abandonment was given to him.

5

The chief officer of police may appear and be heard on the hearing of the application.

6

The court may from time to time adjourn the hearing of the application.

7

On the determination of the application, the court may make such order as to payment of costs as it thinks fit, and may fix a sum to be paid by way of costs in lieu of directing a taxation thereof, and any costs ordered to be paid by the court may be recovered summarily as a civil debt and shall not be recoverable in any other manner:

Part II — Application to Sheriff (Scotland)

8

The application shall be made to the sheriff within whose jurisdiction the applicant resides.

9

Not less than twenty-one days’ notice of the application shall be given to the chief officer of police for the area in which the applicant resides.

SCHEDULE 4

1

The quantities and description of air weapons manufactured and the dates of manufacture.

2

The quantities and description of air weapons purchased or acquired with the names and addresses of the sellers or transferors and the date of each transaction.

3

The quantities and description of air weapons accepted for sale, repair, testing, cleaning, storage, destruction, or any other purposes, with the names and addresses of the transferors and the date of each transaction.

4

The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition sold or transferred with the names and addresses of the purchasers or transferees and (except in cases where the purchaser or transferee is a registered dealer) the areas in which the firearm certificates were issued, and the dates of the several transactions.

5

The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition in possession for sale or transfer at the date of the last stocktaking or such other date in each year as may be specified in the register.

SCHEDULE 5

Part I — Courts with Jurisdiction to entertain Appeal

Part II — Procedural provisions for appeal to the Crown Court

1

Notice of an appeal, signed by the appellant or by his agent on his behalf and stating the general grounds of the appeal, shall be given by him to the clerk of the peace and also to the chief officer of police by whose decision the appellant is aggrieved.

2

A notice of appeal shall be given within twenty-one days after the date on which the appellant has received notice of the decision of the chief officer of police by which he is aggrieved.

3

On receiving notice of an appeal the clerk of the peace shall enter the appeal and give notice to the appellant and to the chief officer of police to whom the notice of the appeal is required by paragraph 1 of this Part of this Schedule to be given, of the date, time and place fixed for the hearing.

4

An appellant may at any time, not less than two clear days before the date fixed for the hearing, abandon his appeal by giving notice in writing to the clerk of the peace and to the chief officer of police; and if he does so the court of quarter sessions (hereafter referred to in this Schedule as " the court") may order the appellant to pay to the chief officer of police such costs as appear to it to be just and reasonable in respect of expenses properly incurred by him in connection with the appeal before notice of abandonment was given to him.

5

The chief officer of police may appear and be heard on the hearing of an appeal.

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7

On the hearing of an appeal the court may either dismiss the appeal or give the chief officer of police such directions as it thinks fit as respects the certificate or register which is the subject of the appeal.

8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE 6

Part I — Table of Punishments

Part II — Supplementary Provisions as to Trial and Punishment of offences

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

In the case of an offence against section 6(3) or 49(3) of this Act, the court before which the offender is convicted may, if the offender is the owner of the firearms or ammunition, make such order as to the forfeiture of the firearms or ammunition as the court thinks fit.

3

• (1) Where in England or Wales a person who has attained the age of seventeen is charged before a magistrates’ court with an offence triable either way listed in Schedule 1 to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (“the listed offence”) and is also charged before that court with an offence under section 17(1) or (2) of this Act, the following provisions of this paragraph shall apply.

• (2) Subject to the following sub-paragraph the court shall proceed as if the listed offence were triable only on indictment and sections 18 to 23 of the said Act of 1980 (procedure for determining mode of trial of offences triable either way) shall not apply in relation to that offence.

• (3) If the court determines not to commit the accused for trial in respect of the offence under section 17(1) or (2), or if proceedings before the court for that offence are otherwise discontinued, the preceding sub-paragraph shall cease to apply as from the time when this occurs and—

• (a) if at that time the court has not yet begun to inquire into the listed offence as examining justices, the court shall, in the case of the listed offence, proceed in the ordinary way in accordance with the said sections 18 to 23; but

• (b) if at that time the court has begun so to inquire into the listed offence, those sections shall continue not to apply and the court shall proceed with its inquiry into that offence as examining justices, but shall have power in accordance with section 25(3) and (4) of the said Act of 1980 to change to summary trial with the accused’s consent.

4

Where a person commits an offence under section 17(1) of this Act in respect of the lawful arrest or detention of himself for any other offence committed by him, he shall be liable to the penalty provided by Part I of this Schedule in addition to any penalty to which he may be sentenced for the other offence.

5

If on the trial of a person for an offence under section 17(1) of this Act the jury are not satisfied that he is guilty of that offence but are satisfied that he is guilty of an offence under section 17(2), the jury may find him guilty of the offence under section 17(2) and he shall then be punishable accordingly.

6

The punishment to which a person is liable for an offence under section 17(2) of this Act shall be in addition to any punishment to which he may be liable for the offence first referred to in section 17(2).

7

The court by which a person is convicted of an offence under section 21A,22(4), 23(1) 21A(1), 21A(1A), 22(3) . . . , 24(4) or 24ZA(1) of this Act may make such order as it thinks fit as to the forfeiture or disposal of the air weapon or ammunition in respect of which the offence was committed.

8

The court by which a person is convicted of an offence under section 21A,22(3) or (4), 23(1) 21A(1), 21A(1A), 22(3), . . . , 24(4) or 24ZA(1) may make such order as it thinks fit as to the forfeiture or disposal of any firearm or ammunition found in his possession.

9

The court by which a person is convicted of an offence under section 24(3) of this Act may make such order as it thinks fit as to the forfeiture or disposal of the shot gun or ammunition in respect of which the offence was committed.

SCHEDULE 7

Requirement of firearm certificate.

5A

• (1) Subject to subsection (2) below, the authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers shall not be required by virtue of ... section 5 of this Act for any person to have in his possession, or to purchase, acquire, sell or transfer, any weapon, ammunition or missile specified in subsection (1A) of that section if he is authorised by a certificate under this Act to possess, purchase or acquire that weapon or ammunition subject to a condition that he does so only for the purpose of its being kept or exhibited as part of a collection.

• (2) No sale or transfer may be made under subsection (1) above except to a person who—

• (a) produces the authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers under section 5 of this Act for his purchase or acquisition; or

• (b) shows that he is, under this section or a licence under the Schedule to the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (museums etc.), entitled to make the purchase or acquisition without the authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers .

• (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (4) The authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers shall not be required by virtue of ... section 5 of this Act for any person to have in his possession, or to purchase or acquire , or to sell or transfer,, any expanding ammunition or the missile for any such ammunition if—

• (a) he is authorised by a firearm certificate or visitor’s firearm permit to possess, or purchase or acquire, any expanding ammunition; and

• (b) the certificate or permit is subject to a condition restricting the use of any expanding ammunition to use in connection with any one or more of the following, namely—

• (i) the lawful shooting of deer;

• (ii) the shooting of vermin or, in the course of carrying on activities in connection with the management of any estate, other wildlife;

• (iii) the humane killing of animals;

• (iv) the shooting of animals for the protection of other animals or humans.

• (5) The authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers shall not be required by virtue of ... section 5 of this Act for any person to have in his possession any expanding ammunition or the missile for any such ammunition if—

• (a) he is entitled, under section 10 of this Act, to have a slaughtering instrument and the ammunition for it in his possession; and

• (b) the ammunition or missile in question is designed to be capable of being used with a slaughtering instrument.

• (6) The authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers shall not be required by virtue of ... section 5 of this Act for the sale or transfer of any expanding ammunition or the missile for any such ammunition to any person who produces a certificate by virtue of which he is authorised under subsection (4) above to purchase or acquire it without the authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers (as appropriate) .

• (7) The authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers shall not be required by virtue of ... section 5 of this Act for a person carrying on the business of a firearms dealer, or any servant of his, to have in his possession, or to purchase, acquire, sell or transfer, any expanding ammunition or the missile for any such ammunition in the ordinary course of that business.

• (8) In this section—

• (a) references to expanding ammunition are references to any ammunition which is designed to be used with a pistol and . . . incorporates a missile which is designed to expand on impact; and

• (b) references to the missile for any such ammunition are references to anything which, in relation to any such ammuni tion, falls within section 5(1A)(g) of this Act.

16A

It is an offence for a person to have in his possession any firearm or imitation firearm with intent—

• (a) by means thereof to cause, or

• (b) to enable another person by means thereof to cause,

any person to believe that unlawful violence will be used against him or another person.

19A

• (1) It is an offence for any person to have a small-calibre pistol with him outside licensed premises of a licensed pistol club.

• (2) It is not an offence for a person to have with him a small-calibre pistol if—

• (a) he is permitted by virtue of any provision of this Act to have the pistol in his possession without holding a firearm certificate or a visitor’s firearm permit;

• (b) he is authorised to have the pistol with him by virtue of a permit granted under section 13 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; or

• (c) he is authorised to have the pistol in his possession by virtue of a firearm certificate or visitor’s firearm permit which is not subject to a condition requiring it to be kept at a licensed pistol club.

• (3) In this section “licensed pistol club” means a pistol club which is licensed under Part II of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 and “licensed premises” has the meaning given in section 19 of that Act.

21A

• (1) A person commits an offence if—

• (a) he has with him an air weapon on any premises; and

• (b) he uses it for firing a missile beyond those premises.

• (1A) A person commits an offence if the person—

• (a) is supervising the use and possession of an air weapon on private premises by a person under the age of 18, and

• (b) allows the supervised person to fire any missile beyond those premises.

• (2) In proceedings against a person for an offence under this section it shall be a defence for him to show that the only premises into or across which the missile was fired were premises the occupier of which had consented to the firing of the missile (whether specifically or by way of a general consent).

24A

• (1) It is an offence for a person under the age of eighteen to purchase an imitation firearm.

• (2) It is an offence to sell an imitation firearm to a person under the age of eighteen.

• (3) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (2) it is a defence to show that the person charged with the offence—

• (a) believed the other person to be aged eighteen or over; and

• (b) had reasonable ground for that belief.

• (4) For the purposes of this section a person shall be taken to have shown the matters specified in subsection (3) if—

• (a) sufficient evidence of those matters is adduced to raise an issue with respect to them; and

• (b) the contrary is not proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

26A

• (1) An application for the grant of a firearm certificate shall be made in the prescribed form to the chief officer of police for the area in which the applicant resides and shall state such particulars as may be required by the form.

• (2) Rules made by the Secretary of State under section 53 of this Act may require any application for a firearm certificate to be accompanied by up to four photographs of the applicant and by the names and addresses of two persons who have agreed to act as referees.

• (3) The rules may require that, before considering an application for a firearm certificate, the chief officer of police has the following from each referee nominated by the applicant—

• (a) verification in the prescribed manner of—

• (i) any prescribed particulars; and

• (ii) the likeness to the applicant of the photographs submitted with the application;

• (b) a statement in the prescribed form to the effect that he knows of no reason why the applicant should not be permitted to possess a firearm; and

• (c) such other statements or information in connection with the application or the applicant as may be prescribed.

26B

• (1) An application for the grant of a shot gun certificate shall be made in the prescribed form to the chief officer of police for the area in which the applicant resides and shall state such particulars as may be required by the form.

• (2) Rules made by the Secretary of State under section 53 of this Act may—

• (a) require any application for a certificate to be accompanied by up to four photographs of the applicant;

• (b) require the verification in the prescribed manner of any prescribed particulars and of the likeness of those photographs to the applicant;

• (c) require any application for a certificate to be accompanied by a statement by the person verifying the matters mentioned in paragraph (b) above to the effect that he knows of no reason why the applicant should not be permitted to possess a shot gun.

28A

• (1) A certificate shall, unless previously revoked or cancelled, continue in force for five years from the date when it was granted or last renewed, but shall be renewable for a further period of five years by the chief officer of police for the area in which the holder resides.

• (1A) Subsection (1) is subject to the provision made by section 28B for circumstances in which a certificate may continue in force after the period of five years from the date when it was granted or last renewed.

• (2) The provisions of this Act apply to the renewal of a certificate as they apply to a grant; but, subject to the power of renewal conferred by this subsection, a certificate granted or last renewed in Northern Ireland shall not continue in force for a period longer than that for which it was so granted or last renewed.

• (3) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (1) above so as to substitute for any reference to a period for the time being specified in that subsection a reference to such other period as may be specified in the order.

• (4) An order made under subsection (3) above shall apply only to certificates granted or renewed after the date on which the order comes into force.

• (5) The power to make orders under subsection (3) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

• (6) A person aggrieved by the refusal of a chief officer of police to grant or to renew a certificate under this Act may in accordance with section 44 of this Act appeal against the refusal.

• (7) It is an offence for a person knowingly or recklessly to make any statement which is false in any material particular for the purpose of procuring (whether for himself or another) the grant or renewal of a certificate under this Act.

30A

• (1) A firearm certificate may be revoked by the chief officer of police for the area in which the holder resides on any of the grounds mentioned in subsections (2) to (5) below.

• (2) The certificate may be revoked if the chief officer of police has reason to believe—

• (a) that the holder is of intemperate habits or unsound mind or is otherwise unfitted to be entrusted with a firearm; or

• (b) that the holder can no longer be permitted to have the firearm or ammunition to which the certificate relates in his possession without danger to the public safety or to the peace.

• (3) The certificate may be revoked if the chief officer of police is satisfied that the holder is prohibited by this Act from possessing a firearm to which section 1 of this Act applies.

• (4) The certificate may be revoked if the chief officer of police is satisfied that the holder no longer has a good reason for having in his possession, or for purchasing or acquiring, the firearm or ammunition which he is authorised by virtue of the certificate to have in his possession or to purchase or acquire.

• (5) A firearm certificate may be revoked if the holder fails to comply with a notice under section 29(1) of this Act requiring him to deliver up the certificate.

• (6) A person aggrieved by the revocation of a certificate under subsection (2), (3) or (4) of this section may in accordance with section 44 of this Act appeal against the revocation.

30B

• (1) The chief officer of police for the area in which the holder of a firearm certificate resides may partially revoke the certificate, that is to say, he may revoke the certificate in relation to any firearm or ammunition which the holder is authorised by virtue of the certificate to have in his possession or to purchase or acquire.

• (2) A firearm certificate may be partially revoked only if the chief officer of police is satisfied that the holder no longer has a good reason for having in his possession, or for purchasing or acquiring, the firearm or ammunition to which the partial revocation relates.

• (3) A person aggrieved by the partial revocation of a certificate may in accordance with section 44 of this Act appeal against the partial revocation.

30C

• (1) A shot gun certificate may be revoked by the chief officer of police for the area in which the holder resides if he is satisfied that the holder is prohibited by this Act from possessing a shot gun or cannot be permitted to possess a shot gun without danger to the public safety or to the peace.

• (2) A person aggrieved by the revocation of a shot gun certificate may in accordance with section 44 of this Act appeal against the revocation.

30D

• (1) Where a certificate is revoked under section 30A or 30C of this Act the chief officer of police shall by notice in writing require the holder to surrender the certificate.

• (2) Where a certificate is partially revoked under section 30B of this Act the chief officer of police shall by notice in writing require the holder to deliver up the certificate for the purpose of amending it.

• (3) It is an offence for the holder of a certificate to fail to comply with a notice under subsection (1) or (2) above within twenty-one days from the date of the notice.

• (4) If an appeal is brought against a revocation or partial revocation—

• (a) this section shall not apply to that revocation or partial revocation unless the appeal is abandoned or dismissed; and

• (b) it shall then apply with the substitution, for the reference to the date of the notice, of a reference to the date on which the appeal was abandoned or dismissed.

• (5) This section shall not apply in relation to—

• (a) the revocation of a firearm certificate on any ground mentioned in section 30A(2), (3) or (4) of this Act;

• (b) the revocation of a shot gun certificate,

if the chief officer of police serves a notice on the holder under section 12 of the Firearms Act 1988 requiring him to surrender forthwith his certificate and any firearms and ammunition in his possession by virtue of the certificate.

...

32A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32B

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32C

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42A

• (1) A person who sells, lets on hire, gives or lends a shot gun with a magazine to another person who—

• (a) shows that he is entitled to purchase or acquire the weapon as the holder of a visitor’s shot gun permit under section 17 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988; but

• (b) fails to show that the purchase or acquisition falls within subsection (1A)(c) ... of that section (temporary acquisitions ...) or that he resides outside Great Britain,

shall, within forty-eight hours of the transaction, send by permitted means notice of the transaction to the chief officer of police who granted that permit.

• (2) A notice under subsection (1) above shall—

• (a) contain a description of the shot gun (giving the identification number if any);

• (b) state the nature of the transaction (giving the name of the person to whom the gun has been sold, let on hire, given or lent, his address in Great Britain where he resides and the number and place of issue of his passport, if any); and

• (c) set out the particulars of any licence granted for the purposes of an order made under section 1 of the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939 by virtue of which the transaction is authorised under section 17 of that Act of 1988.

• (2A) A notice is sent by permitted means for the purposes of subsection (1) if it is sent—

• (a) by registered post;

• (b) by the recorded delivery service; or

• (c) by permitted electronic means (see section 42B).

• (3) It is an offence for a person to fail to comply with this section.

Permitted electronic means

51A

• (1) Subsections (2) to (5) apply where—

• (a) an individual is convicted in Scotland of—

• (i) an offence under section 5(1)(a), (ab), (aba), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af) or (c) of this Act, . . .

• (ii) an offence under section 5(1A)(a) of this Act, or

• (iii) an offence under any of the provisions of this Act listed in subsection (1A) in respect of a firearm or ammunitionspecified in section 5(1)(a), (ab), (aba), (ac), (ad), (ae),(af) or (c) or section 5(1A)(a) of this Act, and

• (b) the offence was committed after the commencement of this section and at a time when he was aged 16 or over.

• (1A) The provisions are—

• (za) section 5(2A) (manufacture, sale or transfer of firearm, or possession etc for sale or transfer);

• (a) section 16 (possession of firearm with intent to injure);

• (b) section 16A (possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence);

• (c) section 17 (use of firearm to resist arrest);

• (d) section 18 (carrying firearm with criminal intent);

• (e) section 19 (carrying a firearm in a public place);

• (f) section 20(1)(trespassing in a building with firearm).

• (2) The court shall impose an appropriate custodial sentence (or order for detention) for a term of at least the required minimum term (with or without a fine) unless the court is of the opinion that there are exceptional circumstances relating to the offence or to the offender which justify its not doing so.

• (3) Where an offence is found to have been committed over a period of two or more days, or at some time during a period of two or more days, it shall be taken for the purposes of this section to have been committed on the last of those days.

• (4) In this section “appropriate custodial sentence (or order for detention)” means—

• (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (b) in relation to Scotland—

• (i) in the case of an offender who is aged 21 or over when convicted, a sentence of imprisonment,

• (ii) in the case of an offender who is aged under 21 at that time (not being an offender mentioned in sub-paragraph (iii)), a sentence of detention under section 207 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, and

• (iii) in the case of an offender who is aged under 18 at that time and is subject to a supervision requirement, an order for detention under section 44, or sentence of detention under section 208, of that Act.

• (5) In this section “the required minimum term” means—

• (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (b) in relation to Scotland—

• (i) in the case of an offender who was aged 21 or over when he committed the offence, five years, and

• (ii) in the case of an offender who was aged under 21 at that time, three years.

• (6) For the minimum sentence for certain offences under this Act where an individual is convicted in England and Wales, see section 311 of the Sentencing Code.

Repeals and general savings.

2A

Offences under Part I of the Child Abduction Act 1984 (abduction of children).

5A

An offence under section 90(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (assaulting prisoner custody officer).

5B

An offence under section 13(1) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (assaulting secure training centre custody officer).

5C

An offence under paragraph 4 of Schedule 11 to the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (assaulting a detainee custody officer).

13A

Offences against section 57 of the Civil Government (Scotland) Act 1982

13B

An offence under paragraph 4 of Schedule 11 to the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (assaulting a detainee custody officer).

PART 1 — PARTICULARS RELATING TO FIREARMS (OTHER THAN AIR WEAPONS) AND AMMUNITION

PART 2 — PARTICULARS RELATING TO AIR WEAPONS: ENGLAND AND WALES

Notes:This Part does not apply in relation to Scotland.In this Part “air weapon” includes any component of, or accessory to, an air weapon.

1

The quantities and description of air weapons purchased or acquired with the names and addresses of the sellers or transferors and the dates of the several transactions.

2

The quantities and description of air weapons sold or transferred with the names and addresses of the purchasers or transferees and the dates of the several transactions.

3

The quantities and description of air weapons in possession for sale or transfer at the date of the last stocktaking or such other date in each year as may be specified in the register

1

Notice of an appeal, signed by the appellant or by his agent on his behalf and stating the general grounds of the appeal, shall be given by him to the appropriate officer of the Crown Court and also to the chief officer of police by whose decision the appellant is aggrieved.

2

A notice of appeal shall be given within twenty-one days after the date on which the appellant has received notice of the decision of the chief officer of police by which he is aggrieved.

3

On receiving notice of an appeal the appropriate officer of the Crown Court shall enter the appeal and give notice to the appellant and to the chief officer of police to whom the notice of the appeal is required by paragraph 1 of this Part of this Schedule to be given, of the date, time and place fixed for the hearing.

4

An appellant may at any time, not less than two clear days before the date fixed for the hearing, abandon his appeal by giving notice in writing to the appropriate officer of the Crown Court and to the chief officer of police; . . .

Part III — Appeals in Scotland

1

An appeal to the sheriff shall be by way of summary application.

2

An application shall be made within 21 days after the date on which the appellant has received notice of the decision of the chief officer of police in respect of which the appeal is made.

3

On the hearing of the appeal the sheriff may either dismiss the appeal or give the chief officer of police such directions as he thinks fit as respects the certificate or register which is the subject of the appeal.

4

The decision of the sheriff on an appeal may be appealed only on a point of law.

SCHEDULE 7.

Editorial notes

[^c9808331]: Act wholly in force at 1.8.1968, see s. 60(2)

[^c9808341]: Act extended by S.I. 1972/971, Sch. 1

[^c9808351]: Act extended with modifications by Firearms Act 1982 (c. 31, SIF 51:1), s. 1(2)

[^c9808361]: Act amended by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), ss. 8, 25(4) Act amended (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 48(a); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I Act amended (prosp.) by 1997 c. 5, ss. 12(2), 53(3) (which amending s. 12(2) was repealed (17.12.1997) by 1997 c. 64, s. 2(7), Sch.; S.I. 1997/3114, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I)

[^c9808371]: Definitions of "ammunition" and "firearm" in this Act applied (E.W.) (25.10.1991) by Deer Act 1991 (c. 54, SIF 4:3), ss.16, 18(3)

[^c9808381]: By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), S. 101(1), Sch. 12 para.23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10. 1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.

[^c9808391]: Act applied (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 50(2)(3); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

[^c18071631]: S. 1(1)(a) excluded (E. W.) (17.12.2003) by The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/3300), art. 5(2)

[^c9808401]: S. 1(3)(a) substituted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 2(2)

[^c18071721]: Words inserted (20.1.2004) by Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (2003 c. 38), ss. 39(2)(c)(ii), 93; S.I. 2003/3300, art. 2

[^c9808411]: S. 1(3A) inserted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 2(3)

[^c18189281]: Word repealed (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 65, 66(2), Sch. 5; S.I. 2007/2180, art. 4(f)(i)

[^c18184181]: S. 3(1)(c) and preceding word inserted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 31(1), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 4(a)

[^c9808421]: Words in s. 3(5) substituted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 52(1), Sch. 2 para. 2(1); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

[^c9808431]: Words substituted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1). s. 23(1)

[^c9808921]: S. 5: transfer of certain functions (1.11.1968) by S.I.1968/1200, art. 2

[^c9808931]: S. 5 amended (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 1(7); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

[^c9808941]: Power to amend s. 5(1) conferred by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 1(4)

[^c9808961]: S. 5(1)(a)–(ae) substituted for s. 5(1)(a) by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 1(2)

[^c9808971]: Word in s. 5(1)(ab) substituted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 1(3); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I (with art. 5)

[^c9808981]: S. 5(1)(aba) inserted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 1(2); S.I. 1997/1536, art. 2

[^c9808991]: S. 5(1)(aba) amended (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, ss. 1(8), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7(1)(3); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I S. 5(1)(aba)(b)(c) amended (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, ss. 1(8), 8; S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809001]: Words in s. 5(1)(aba) repealed (1.2.1998) by 1997 c. 64, ss. 1, 2(7), Sch.; S.I. 1997/3114, art. 4, Sch. Pt. II (with art. 5)

[^c9809011]: Words in s. 5(1)(ac) inserted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 1(4); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809021]: Words in s. 5(1)(ac) repealed (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 52(2), Sch. 3; S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809031]: Words in s. 5(1)(ad) substituted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 1(5); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

[^c18072381]: S. 5(1)(af) inserted (20.1.2004 for certain purposes and 30.4.2004 in so far as not already in force) by Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (c. 38), ss. 39(3)-(5), 93; S.I. 2003/3300, arts 2(c)(iii), 5

[^c9809041]: S. 5(1)(c) substituted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 1(3)

[^c9809051]: S. 5(1A) inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2823, reg. 3(1)

[^c9809081]: Words in s. 5(2) substituted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2823, reg. 3(2)

[^c9809111]: S. 5(7) inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2823, reg. 3(3)

[^c9809121]: S. 5(8)(9) inserted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 1(6); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809201]: S. 5A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2823, reg. 3(4)

[^c9809261]: Words in s. 5A(4) inserted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 10(2)(a); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809271]: S. 5A(4)(a)(b) substituted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 10(2)(b); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809311]: S. 5A(7) substituted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 10(7); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809331]: Words in s. 5A(8) repealed (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 10(8); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809341]: S. 6(1)(b) (which is superseded by a new subsection (1A) ) repealed (2.4.1991) by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 20(2)(3)

[^c9809351]: S. 6(1A) inserted (2.4.1991) by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 20(2)

[^c9809361]: 1920 c. 43.

[^c9809371]: 1937 c. 12.

[^c9809381]: Words in s. 7(2) substituted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 52(1), Sch. 2 para. 2(2); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809391]: S. 8(1A) inserted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 42(1); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809401]: Words in s. 9(3) substituted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 52(1), Sch. 2, para. 2(2); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809471]: S. 11(3) repealed (1.4.1997) by 1996 c. 46, s. 35(2), Sch. 7 Pt. III; S.I. 1997/304, art. 2, Sch. 1

[^c9809481]: S. 12(2): transfer of certain functions (S.) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, art. 2, Sch. 1; S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3

[^c9809491]: S. 12(2): transfer of functions by S.I. 1968/1200, art. 2

[^c9809501]: Words substituted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 23(2)

[^c9809531]: Words substituted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 23(3)

[^c9809541]: Words in s. 13(2) substituted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 52(1), Sch. 2(2); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

[^c9809551]: S. 14 repealed by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 23(7)

[^c9809561]: Words repealed by (E.W.) Criminal Damage Act 1971 (c. 48), Sch. Pt.I

[^c9809591]: S. 16A inserted (21.9.1994) by 1994 c. 31, ss. 1(1), 4(2) (with s. 4(3))

[^c9809621]: S. 17(2) applied (E.W.)(31.10.1991) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s.90(2); S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(4), Sch.3.

[^c9809631]: S. 17(3) repealed by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60), Sch. 3 Pt. III

[^c9809641]: Words repealed by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60), Sch. 3 Pt. III

[^c18081591]: S. 19(a)-(d) substituted for words (20.1.2004) by Anti-social Behaviour Act (2003 c. 38), ss. {37(1)}, 93; S.I. 2003/3300, art. 2(c)(i)

[^c9809671]: Words in s. 20 inserted (21.9.1994) by 1994 c. 31, ss. 2(1), 4(2) (with s. 4(3))

[^c9810101]: Words inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 77, Sch. 14 para. 24(a)

[^c9810121]: Words inserted (E.W.) by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6), Sch. 8 paras. 6, 16

[^c9810131]: Words repealed by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6), 170(2), Sch. 8 para. 16, Sch. 16

[^c9810141]: Words inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 77, Sch. 14 para. 24(b)

[^c9810151]: Words inserted (E.W.) by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 123(6), Sch. 8 paras. 6, 16

[^c9810161]: Words in s. 21(2) inserted (1.3.1998) by 1994 c. 33, s. 168(2), Sch. 10 para. 24(2)(a); S.I. 1998/277, art. 3(2)

[^c9810171]: Words in s. 21(2) inserted (1.4.2000) by 1998 c. 37, s. 119, Sch. 8 para. 14(1); S.I. 1999/3426, art. 3(b)

[^c9810181]: S. 21(2A) substituted (1.3.1998) by 1994 c. 33, s. 168(2), Sch. 10 para. 24(2)(b); S.I. 1998/277, art. 3(2)

[^c9810191]: S. 21(2A)(c) inserted (1.4.2000) by 1998 c. 37, s. 119, Sch. 8 para. 14(2); S.I. 1999/3426, art. 3(b)

[^c9810201]: Words in s. 21(2A)(c)(ii) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168, Sch. 9 para. 31

[^c9810211]: 1933 c. 12.

[^c9810221]: 1937 c. 37.

[^c18279821]: Words in S. 21(3)(b) substituted (4.4.2005) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 304, 336, Sch. 32 para. 12(4); S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1) (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

[^c18303901]: S. 21(3ZA) inserted (4.4.2005) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 304, 336, Sch. 32 para. 12(5); S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1) (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

[^c9810231]: S. 21(3A) inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71), ss. 29, 66(7)(a)

[^c9810241]: Words substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71), ss. 29, 66(7)(a)

[^c9810251]: Words substituted by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), s. 56(2), Sch. 9 Pt. II

[^c18189451]: S. 22(1) substituted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 33(2), s. 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(c)

[^c9810281]: S. 22(2): Words inserted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 23(4) [Editorial Note: the amending section provides that the insertion is to be made after the words "of this Act". Those words appear twice in s. 22(2), but the sense of the subsection as amended seems to require that the insertion should be made after the second occurrence of those words.]

[^c18083111]: S. 22(5) repealed (20.1.2004) by Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (2003 c. 38), ss. 38(2)(b), 93, Sch. 3: S.I. 2003/3300, art. 2(c)(ii)

[^c18086331]: S. 23 heading substituted (20.1.2004) by virtue of Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (c. 38), ss. 38(3), 93; S.I. 2003/3300, art. 2(c)(ii)

[^c18189561]: S. 24(1) substituted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 33(4), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(c)

[^c9810361]: Words inserted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 23(4)

[^c18189631]: Words in s. 24(4)(a)(b) substituted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 33(5), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(c)

[^c18189381]: S. 21A inserted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 34(2), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(d)

[^c18214951]: S. 24A inserted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 40(1), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(i)

[^c9810371]: Ss. 26A, 26B substituted for s. 26 (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 37; S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

[^c9810381]: Ss. 26A, 26B substituted for s. 26 (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 37; S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I