ATP Template with bundler

Firearms Licensing

Answer

You need to apply to your local police force, who will more than likely have a firearm administration section.

Before a firearm certificate is granted or renewed the Chief Officer of Police is required to be satisfied that:

  • The applicant is fit to be entrusted with a firearm to which Section 1 of the Act applies and is not a person prohibited by the Firearms Act (e.g. by age or previous conviction) from possessing such a firearm.
  • The applicant has a good reason for having in his possession, or for purchasing or acquiring the firearm and ammunition in respect of which the application is made.
  • That in all circumstances the applicant can be permitted to have the firearm or ammunition in his possession without danger to the public safety or to the peace.

Along with the application form you will have to provide four identical passport sized photographs along with the details of two persons who are prepared to provide a reference to the application. A referee must not be a member of the applicant's family, a serving police officer or police employee, or a registered firearms dealer. A referee should be of good character and the reference should be freely given and not on payment of any fee.

You also need to provide details of your GP and sign a form granting the police permission to request factual details of your medical history.

No shotgun certificate will granted or renewed if the Chief Officer of Police:

  1. Has reason to believe that the applicant is prohibited by this Act from possessing a shot gun; or
  2. Is satisfied that the applicant does not have a good reason for possessing, purchasing or acquiring one.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Related Information
Answer

The firearms and ammunition to which the certificate relates must at all times be stored securely so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, access to the firearms or ammunition by an unauthorised person. Guidance on the security requirements can be obtained from your local firearms department.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Related Information
Answer

The law will require any person who possesses, purchases, uses, or acquires an air weapon to have a certificate to legally hold them.

The licencing requirement came into effect on 1 July 2016. However, this is also the first date that a member or the public could apply for a licence and as a result, enforcement did not begin until 31 December 2016. Please see the points below for more information regarding the changes in the law -

  • A public awareness campaign was launched by the Scottish Government making people aware of the new legislation.
  • People who owned such a weapon prior to that date were able to apply for a firearms certificate by 30th April 2004 that would allow them to keep the weapon.
  • Any person aged 14 or over can apply for a certificate. The cost is still to be confirmed by the Scottish Government and as soon as this information becomes available the details will be communicated.
  • If a person does not intend to license their air weapon they can sell it to a Registered Firearms Dealer, sell or gift it to a suitable person or choose to surrender it to the Police for disposal.
  • The application process will began on 1 July 2016. Failure to obtain a certificate can on summary conviction result in imprisonment for up to 12 months or a fine or both or on indictment imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine or both.
  • Note, weapons that use a CO2 bulb system are not affected because CO2 bulbs do not contain a projectile and are therefore not classed as self contained.

Police Scotland now have a dedicated Air Weapon and Licensing Project Team based at Dalmarnock Police Office in Glasgow. If you would like more information, their contact details are as follows:

AirWeaponandLicensingProject @scotland.pnn.police.uk

Telephone number - 01786 896130.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

Firearms Certificates/Shotgun Certificates can be refused on the following grounds.

If the Chief Officer of Police is satisfied that the applicant cannot fulfil the criteria for the grant or renewal of a certificate (see question SQ233).

A firearm certificate may be fully revoked by the Chief Officer of Police for the area in which the holder resides, if he has reason to believe:

  • That the holder is of intemperate habits or unsound mind or is otherwise unfitted to be entrusted with such a firearm; or
  • 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; or
  • That the holder is prohibited by this Act from possessing a firearm to which section 1 of the Firearms Act applies; or
  • 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.

A firearms 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.

A shotgun certificate may be revoked by the Chief Officer of Police, for the area in which the holder resides, if he/she is satisfied that the holder is prohibited by this Act from possessing a shotgun or cannot be permitted to possess a shot gun without danger to the public safety or to the peace.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Related Information
Answer

Costs of various certificates are,

  • Co-terminous certificates grant for shotgun and grant/renewal of firearm - £90
  • Games fairs grant - £13
  • Grant of Firearms certificate - £88
  • Grant of Shot gun certificate - £79.50
  • Registered Firearms dealers renewal/grant - £200
  • Renewal of Firearms certificate - £62
  • Renewal of Shot gun certificate - £49
  • Replacement certificate - £4
  • Shotgun coterminous renewal - £3
  • Variation - £20
  • Explosive certificate, in some cases it is currently free but there are types of explosive certificates where a fee is payable, check with your forces explosive officer/firearms licensing department for more details.
  • Visitors' permit - £20
  • Visitors' group permit - £100

You must notify the relevant police force without delay of any change of address. There will be details of the exact person/department to notify within the papers received concerning the certificate.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

The firearm/shotgun certificate lasts for five years.

Explosives certificates to acquire and keep can be issued for any period up to 5 years. Explosives certificate to acquire only can be issued for any period up to 5 years.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

This depends on the total custodial sentence that the person has received.

If the person has been sentenced to a total of 3 years or more in prison or corrective training then they are prohibited for life from the possession of any firearm of any kind.

If a person has been sentenced to more than 3 months but less than 3 years imprisonment, youth custody/detention or a secure training order then they are prohibited from the possession of any firearm of any kind whatsoever for a period of five years from the date of their release.

Also anyone released on licence under section 53 of the Children & Young Persons Act 1933 (detention of young persons convicted of serious crime) and anyone subject of a binding over or recognisance a condition of which is that he shall not possess, use or carry a firearm.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

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.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

The holder of a visitor's firearm permit may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his possession any firearm, and have in his possession, purchase or acquire any ammunition, to which section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968 applies.

The holder of a visitor's shotgun permit may, without holding a shotgun certificate, have shotguns in his possession and purchase or acquire shotguns. See SQ318 for how to obtain a visitor's permit.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

Such permits can only be issued to people visiting Great Britain. They are obtained from the chief officer of police for an area and must be applied for by a resident in that area on behalf of a bona fide visitor to Great Britain. They can only be granted if the visitor is a fit and proper person who has good reason to possess a firearm, shotgun, ammunition etc. Conditions can be imposed as with a normal firearms certificate.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

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.).

Deactivated Weapons

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.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

Home Office approved rifle & muzzle loading pistol clubs are allowed a number of 'guest days' per year when persons known to the club may be allowed to try the sport under the supervision and guidance of experienced shooters. Visitors to such clubs on other dates (not a guest day) may not shoot at the club until such time as they have been accepted as a probationary or full member.

A person wishing to try Clay Pigeon shooting may try the sport at any club who are in possession of a valid Exemption Permit issued by their local police.

A person may also use a shotgun or rifle on private premises in certain circumstances. A person without a licence may borrow a rifle or 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;
  • 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; and
  • in the case of rifles, the borrower is aged 17 or over.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

A shotgun of either a pump action or self loading style, a barrel length of more than 24" and a fixed magazine capable of holding a maximum of two cartridges.

Shotguns with a fixed magazine that can hold more than two cartridges are classed as shotguns to which Section 1 of the Firearms Act refers and are subject to the restriction of a firearm certificate.

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.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Related Information
Answer

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.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Related Information
Answer

The new law requires any person who possesses, purchases, uses or acquires an air weapon to have a certificate to legally hold them. Please see SQ236 for more details.

The Scottish Government has long campaigned for the UK Government to review all firearms legislation, or to devolve responsibility for firearms legislation to the Scottish Parliament so that Scottish needs can be at the forefront of a distinct Scottish approach to regulating firearms within our communities. Following a recommendation by the Calman Commission in 2009, powers on air weapons were transferred via the Scotland Act 2012. The overarching policy objective of the new legislation is not to ban air weapons, but to ensure that only those people who have a legitimate reason for owning and using an air weapon should have access to them and that such persons are properly licensed.

Please note that the air weapons certificate will cover all the air weapons held by the certificate holder.

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.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Related Information
Answer

All applications are dealt with on their own merits. No particular time scales can be specified although individual firearms licensing departments may be able to give advice on this matter.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Related Information
Answer

You must notify the relevant police force without delay of any change of address. There will be details of the exact person/department to notify within the papers received concerning the certificate.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

Before a firearm can be purchased it is a requirement that prior authorisation is obtained by way of a variation to the firearm certificate. The authority given will state the quantity, the type (e.g. Rifle, Muzzle Loading Pistol etc) and the calibre of the firearm authorised along with the amount of ammunition you will be permitted to acquire.

The person selling the firearm (e.g. a firearm dealer or a firearm certificate holder) will check the authority on the certificate and if correct will enter the details of the firearm on Table 2 (on the reverse of the certificate). This will show the date of the sale or transfer, the name and address of the person selling or transferring the firearm, the quantity, calibre, type and identification number of the firearm, the seller's authority (e.g. dealer registration number or firearm certificate number) and the date on which the transfer took place.

The seller is then required to notify the Chief Officer of Police for the area in which the holder resides and who issued the firearm certificate of the transaction.

With the exception of the need to obtain prior authorisation, the same procedure is necessary for the sale or transfer of a shotgun.

A person wishing to dispose of a firearm should a) hand it over to a licensed Firearms Dealer, or b) hand it into a police station. In either case, the procedure is similar. A receipt will be handed over for the firearm and the Firearm Certificate will be endorsed. If a firearm is handed over or sold to a Firearms dealer he will advise the Police of the transaction. The Firearm certificate holder must also inform the Police of the transaction.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Related Information
Answer

A firearm permit may be issued to a person to allow them to temporarily possess firearms and shotguns and may also be issued to visitors (non residents) to allow them to bring firearms and shotguns into the United Kingdom.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

An air weapon is classed as a firearm in terms of section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968, which governs eligibility in such cases.

Persons who have been sentenced for a period of 3 or more years in prison have a lifelong prohibition in holding a firearm and are therefore ineligible to hold an air weapons certificate.

Persons who have been sentenced for a period exceeding 3 months but less than 3 years are prohibited from possessing a firearm for 5 years after the date of their release. Once this period has expired they would be able to apply and if successful hold an air weapons certificate.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

Yes they will, however not until their existing certificates expire. This also applies to those who reside in the rest of the UK and bring their weapons to Scotland.

After that however they will need to apply for a Visitors Permit before bringing an air weapon into Scotland. This requirement will not extend to their Firearm and Shotgun certificates.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Answer

Police Scotland will always accept surrendered weapons of any kind and arrange for their destruction.

It may be a good idea to phone ahead to your local police office to ensure it is open and they will be able to provide specific advice and may arrange to have specially trained officers who will be to accept and make safe surrendered air weapons.

Remember if you are transporting a weapon in public ensure it is adequately covered to prevent causing alarm to members of the public.

Please note that there is no compensation for people who need to dispose of their air weapons.

If you must dispose of your air weapons, it may be better to sell them to someone authorised to possess them, such as an air weapon certificate holder or a Registered Firearms Dealer.

For further information please visit the Scottish Government website in Related Information.

 

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Related Information