The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2021

Made: 13th April 2021

Coming into force: 7th May 2021

The Secretary of State makes the following Rules in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 27(2), 28(2) and 53 of the Firearms Act 1968[^f00001].

Citation, commencement and extent

1

• (1) These Rules may be cited as the Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2021 and come into force on 7th May 2021.

• (2) These Rules extend to England and Wales and Scotland.

Amendments to the Firearms Rules 1998

2

• (1) The Firearms Rules 1998[^f00002] are amended as follows.

• (2) In paragraph 4(ii) of rule 3 (firearm certificates), after “but” insert “in any event”.

• (3) In paragraph 4(ii) of rule 5 (shotgun certificates), after “but” insert “in any event”.

• (4) In Schedule 1 (form of application for firearm and shotgun certificates, and firearm certificate), for the certificate in Part II (firearm certificate) substitute the certificate in Schedule 1 to these Rules (firearm certificate).

• (5) In Schedule 2 (shotgun certificate), for the certificate in Part II (shotgun certificate) substitute the certificate in Schedule 2 to these Rules (shotgun certificate).

SCHEDULE 1 — Firearm certificate

SCHEDULE 2 — Shotgun certificate

Signed

Kit Malthouse — Minister of State — Home Office — 13th April 2021

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Rules)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Rules make amendments to the Firearms Rules 1998 (S.I. 1998/1941).

Rule 2(2) and (3) amends the Firearms Rules 1998 in order to clarify the condition imposed on the grant or renewal of a firearm or shotgun certificate, requiring the holder of the certificate to inform the chief officer of police by whom the certificate was granted as soon as reasonably practicable but in any event within seven days, of the theft, loss, or destruction in Great Britain of the certificate, and of the theft, loss, deactivation or destruction in Great Britain of any firearm, shotgun or ammunition to which the certificate relates. The addition of the words “in any event” provide clarity that the notification must be made as soon as reasonably practicable, with seven days being the maximum period for notification.

Rule 2(4) and (5) replaces the existing firearm and shotgun certificates. The purpose of making these changes is to ensure that additional information is recorded on the certificate about the weapons listed therein. This includes the unique identifying mark as applied to the weapon’s frame or receiver and, where different, the unique identifying mark as applied to each relevant component part. The changes also reflect the amendment made to the condition in rule 2(2) and (3) and update the guidance and note sections of certificates.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1968 c. 27. Section 27(2) was amended by section 23(5) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45).

[^f00002]: S.I. 1998/1941; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 2005/3344, 2013/1945, 2013/2970, 2014/1239, 2016/425, 2017/1281, 2018/1042 and 2019/1419.