Firearms

An antique firearm is not defined in the law but guidelines from the Home Office suggest the following may be considered as antique:

• A muzzleloading firearm of original manufacture (not a modern made replica or reproduction).
• Any breech-loading firearm using a rim-fire cartridge exceeding .23 (but not 9mm).
• A breech-loading firearm of original manufacture, using an ignition system other than rim-fire or centre (e.g. flintlock or percussion.).
• A breech-loading centre fire firearm originally chambered for cartridges, which are now obsolete AND retaining that original chambering.

There is a further requirement that any 'antique firearm' is kept purely as a curio or ornament not to be fired and for which no ammunition is authorised.

If modern ready-made ammunition can be readily acquired and used the weapon may not be considered as an antique.

If a person wishes to shoot any antique firearm or shotgun it must be shown on his certificate and properly recorded with the police. However, each case should be dealt with on its merits and advice on individual weapons can be sought from the relevant force's firearm department.

A deactivated weapon is a firearm that has been rendered incapable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile and has consequently ceased to be a firearm if:

• the weapon bears a mark which has been approved by the Secretary of State for denoting the fact that it has been deactivated; AND
• that company or person certifies in writing that work has been carried out on the firearm in a manner approved by the Secretary of State for rendering it incapable of discharging any shot, bullet or missile.

The marks referred to above are:

• Crossed swords with DA and the year-round them for the Birmingham Proof House; and
• DA over a sword and the year for the London Proof House (there are only these two proof houses.).

Every deactivated weapon must also have with it a certificate stating that deactivation work has been carried out on it.

Deactivation differs from conversion in that a converted weapon may still fire but a deactivated one may not.

If a weapon is defectively deactivated, it is an offence to make it available for sale or as a gift to another person or to sell or give it (as a gift) to another person. A weapon is a defectively deactivated weapon if:

• it was at any time a firearm,
• it has been rendered incapable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile, but
• it has not been rendered so incapable in a way that meets the technical specifications for the deactivation of the weapon that apply at the time when the weapon is made available for sale or as a gift or (as the case may be) when it is sold or given as a gift.

This offence does not apply if the weapon is sold or given as a gift by a museum, to another museum, both of which have a museum firearms licence.

No one under 18 years can have with them an air weapon at any time unless supervised by someone who is aged at least 21 years unless they are shooting at an approved target shooting club or shooting gallery.

A young person between 14 – 16 years may shoot an air weapon on private premises providing they have the prior consent of the owner/occupier and providing any missile fired does not go beyond the boundary of those premises.

It also became an offence to make a gift of an air weapon or ammunition to a person under the age of 18 years.

It is also an offence to have an air weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

There are currently no lower age limits for an applicant wishing to apply for a shotgun certificate. A person under the age of 14 years may not be granted a firearm certificate in any circumstances.

A person under the age of 17 may not purchase a firearm or ammunition.

Under 15 years old it is prohibited to have with him assembled shotgun except while under the supervision of a person of or over the age of 21, or while the shotgun is so covered with a securely fastened gun cover that it cannot be fired.

A person may use a shotgun on private premises in certain circumstances. A person without a licence may borrow a shotgun from another person on private premises as long as:

• the weapon is being borrowed for either hunting animals or shooting game or vermin, or, for shooting at artificial targets;
• the lender is at least 18 years old, holds a relevant certificate, and either has the right to allow others to enter the premises for the purpose of shooting animals, game or vermin, or, is authorised in writing by such a person to lend weapons on the premises;
• the borrower's possession of the weapon complies with any conditions set out in the lender's certificate; and
• during the time the weapon is borrowed, the borrower is in the presence of the lender or another person aged 18 or over who holds a relevant certificate.

A person borrowing a shotgun on private premises may also purchase or acquire ammunition on the premises during the time the firearm is borrowed, as long as the ammunition is for use with the borrowed firearm, it is allowed by the lender's certificate, and it complies with any related conditions in the certificate.

BB guns (which fire plastic or aluminium balls) by different methods (such as compressed air or an electrical system) may or may not be firearms and so may or may not be prohibited.

The soft air type of BB gun which is 'toy like' (though it may be a little too powerful to be officially classed as a toy) does not fit within the definition of a section 1 firearm because it is usually too low powered and is probably designed to fire plastic/aluminium pellets. It will normally have a very low power rating, compared to an average air weapon.

An air weapon is powerful enough to injure and kill in the right circumstances, and, does therefore fit within the definition of a firearm, but is not powerful enough to be a section 1 firearm. However, even where a section 1 firearm is not required, an air weapons certificate may be required - see Q236 for further information. The average air weapon is probably about 150 times more powerful than a 'toy like' soft BB gun.

So if you are unsure whether your BB gun is legal or not, then it is worth checking with your local police who will be able to advise you.

Given the nature of BB guns and their capabilities then it is not advisable to allow them to be in the possession of young children.

The very realistic appearance of many BB guns means that armed officers frequently are called to deal with persons in possession of these items. The fact that these are virtually indistinguishable from a firearm can cause great public concern and place the holder in a very vulnerable and potentially dangerous position.

Yes, however, it is an offence to possess an imitation firearm in a public place. There are some exceptions for weapons used in historical re-enactments, theatrical productions and film making.

An imitation firearm has been defined as 'anything, which has the appearance of a firearm'. Many imitation weapons are very realistic and until the weapon has been seized it is difficult to ascertain whether it is genuine or not.

It is illegal to possess an imitation firearm in a public place. Whilst possession elsewhere may not be illegal, all calls to police involving firearms are treated as if it is a genuine firearm and the fact that many are virtually indistinguishable from a firearm can cause great public concern and place the holder in a very vulnerable and potentially dangerous position.

It is also an offence to possess an article capable of being used to convert an imitation firearm, where the person intends to use the article (whether by itself or with other articles) to convert such a firearm. Registered firearms dealers are exempt from this offence.

BB guns (which fire plastic or aluminium balls by different methods such as compressed air or an electrical system) may or may not be firearms and so may or may not be prohibited.

The soft air type of gun which is 'toy like' (though it may be a little too powerful to be officially classed as a toy) does not fit within the definition of a section 1 firearm because it is usually too low powered and is probably designed to fire plastic/aluminium balls. However, even where a section 1 firearm is not required, an air weapons certificate may be required - see Q236 for further information.

So if you are unsure whether your BB gun is legal or not, then it is worth checking with your police force's firearms department who will be able to advise you.

If you have unwanted section 1 ammunition then there are various ways of disposing of it:

• Surrender at your local police station.
• Through a registered firearms dealer.
• Through another authorised firearm certificate holder.

You must NOT dispose of it yourself.

Please note that all calls to police involving firearms are treated as if it is a genuine firearm so be aware that if you do wave an imitation firearm around you could find yourself surrounded by firearms officers pointing real weapons at you.

Conductive Energy Devices (CEDs) are otherwise known by their trade name 'Tasers'. In 2004, following a trial in five forces, it was agreed to allow chief officers of all police forces in England and Wales to make CEDs available to authorised firearms officers for use in authorised firearms operations.

In July 2007, authorised firearms officers were allowed to use CEDs in a wider set of circumstances. These officers are now additionally able to deploy CEDs in operations or incidents where the use of firearms is not authorised, but where they are facing violence or threats of violence where they would need to use force to protect the public, themselves or the subject.

Also announced in July 2007 was the trial in 10 police forces of CED deployment to non-firearms officers facing similar violence or threats of violence. These officers are referred to as Specially Trained Officers, or STOs.

The 12 month STO trial commenced on 1 September 2007 and ended on 31 August 2008. It took place in the following forces: Avon & Somerset, Devon & Cornwall, Gwent, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Metropolitan Police, Northamptonshire, Northumbria, North Wales and West Yorkshire.

Following the success of the trial, from 1 December 2008, CED use was extended to STOs.

On 2 March 2017, following a comprehensive assessment by an independent medical committee, government scientists and the police, the Home Secretary authorised the use of the TASER X2.

With regards to using a TASER for self-defence, please see Q766.

Conductive Energy Devices (CEDs) are otherwise known by their trade name 'Tasers'. A CED is used in situations of violence and potential violence. Police have a duty to de-escalate events to try to stop situations from turning violent in an effort to protect the public and themselves.

In the UK, use of a CED does not necessarily mean that electrical discharge is delivered to a person. Because the police recognise that the mere availability of a CED at an incident can help to defuse the situation, they differentiate 'use' into seven types: drawn, aimed, arced, red dot, drive-stun, angled drive-stun and probes fired. The first four types of use do not deliver electrical discharge and comprise the majority (about 80%) of uses by UK police. In the remaining 20%, the majority involve fired probes. Use in one of the drive-stun modes comprises about 1%.

On 80% of occasions when officers are presented with violence or potential violence, the mere presence of the CED is enough to bring that situation to a swift conclusion without the need for physical force to be used. In such dynamic situations, officers aren't always going to know the person's background or medical history. It is in these instances that officers use their experience and training to make a decision on what use of force option to adopt.

If immediate action is needed and a CED is deployed, following the situation calming down, officers will make sure the individual is given immediate medical attention if needed, which includes hospital transfer if necessary. The priority is to remove the risk the person presents to themselves and others with the least intrusive options.

With regards to using a TASER for self-defence, please see Q766