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Firearms Act 1968

Firearms Act 1968

1968 c. 27 · 89 provisionsView on legislation.gov.uk

An Act to consolidate the Firearms Acts 1937 and 1965, the Air Guns and Shot Guns, etc. , Act 1962, Part V of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 and certain enactments amending the Firearms Act 1937.

Ambrose v Harris (Procurator Fiscal, Oban) (Scotland); Her Majesty’s Advocate v G (Scotland); Her Majesty’s Advocate v M (Scotland) [2011] UKSC 43
BH and another v The Lord Advocate and another (Scotland) [2012] UKSC 24
Macklin v Her Majesty’s Advocate [2015] UKSC 77
References (Bills) by the Attorney General and the Advocate General for Scotland - United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) [2021] UKSC 42

Part I: Provisions as to Possession, Handling and Distribution of Weapons and Ammunition; Prevention of Crime and Measures to Protect Public Safety

Section 1: Requirement of firearm certificate.
Section 2: Requirement of certificate for possession of shot guns.
Section 2A: Possession of a sound moderator or flash suppressor
Section 3: Business and other transactions with firearms and ammunition.
Section 3A: Possessing component parts of ammunition with intent to manufacture
Section 4: Conversion of weapons.
Section 4A: Possession of articles for use in connection with conversion
Section 5: Weapons subject to general prohibition.
Section 5A: Exemptions from requirement of authority under s.5.
Section 6: Power to prohibit movement of arms and ammunition.
Section 7: Police permit.
Section 8: Authorised dealing with firearms.
Section 9: Carriers, auctioneers, etc.
Section 10: Slaughter of animals.
Section 11: Sports, athletics and other approved activities.
Section 11A: Authorised lending and possession of firearms for hunting etc
Section 12: Theatre and cinema.
Section 13: Equipment for ships and aircraft.

Part I: Provisions as to Possession, Handling and Distribution of Weapons and Ammunition ; Prevention of Crime and Measures to Protect Public Safety

Section 14: Persons temporarily in Great BritainOmitted (omitted 2017-01-31)

Part I: Provisions as to Possession, Handling and Distribution of Weapons and Ammunition; Prevention of Crime and Measures to Protect Public Safety

Section 15: Holder of Northern Irish certificate.
Section 16: Possession of firearm with intent to injure.
Section 16A: Possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Section 17: Use of firearm to resist arrest.
Section 18: Carrying firearm with criminal intent.
Section 19: Carrying firearm in a public place.
Section 19A: Having small-calibre pistol outside premises of licensed pistol club.
Section 20: Trespassing with firearm.
Section 21: Possession of firearms by persons previously convicted of crime.
Section 21A: Firing an air weapon beyond premises
Section 22: Acquisition and possession of firearms by minors.

Part I: Provisions as to Possession, Handling and Distribution of Weapons and Ammunition ; Prevention of Crime and Measures to Protect Public Safety

Section 23: Exceptions from s. 22(4) and (5)Omitted (omitted)

Part I: Provisions as to Possession, Handling and Distribution of Weapons and Ammunition; Prevention of Crime and Measures to Protect Public Safety

Section 24: Supplying firearms to minors.
Section 24A: Supplying imitation firearms to minors
Section 24ZA: Failing to prevent minors from having air weapons
Section 25: Supplying firearm to person drunk or insane.

Part II: Firearm and Shot Gun Certificates; Registration of Firearms Dealers

Section 26: Application for, and grant of, certificates.
Section 26A: Applications for firearm certificates.
Section 26B: Applications for shot gun certificates.
Section 27: Special provisions about firearm certificates.
Section 27A: Conditions for storage etc of certain firearms
Section 28: Special provisions about shot gun certificates.
Section 28A: Certificates: supplementary.
Section 28B: Certificates: limited extension
Section 29: Variation of firearm certificates.
Section 30: Revocation of certificates.
Section 30A: Revocation of firearm certificates.
Section 30B: Partial revocation of firearm certificates.
Section 30C: Revocation of shot gun certificates.
Section 30D: Revocation of certificates: supplementary.
Section 31: Certificate for prohibited weapon.
Section 32: Fee for certificate and exemption from paying it in certain cases.
Section 32A: Documents for European purposes.Omitted (omitted 2020-12-31)
Section 32B: Renewal of European firearms pass.Omitted (omitted 2020-12-31)
Section 32C: Variation, endorsement etc. of European documents.Omitted (omitted 2020-12-31)
Section 32ZA: Fees in connection with authority under section 5
Section 33: Police register.
Section 34: Grounds for refusal of registration.
Section 35: Fee for registration and renewal thereof.
Section 36: Conditions of registration.
Section 37: Registration of new place of business.
Section 38: Removal from register of dealer’s name or place of business.
Section 39: Offences in connection with registration.
Section 40: Compulsory register of transactions in firearms.
Section 41: Exemption from s. 40 in case of trade in shot gun components.
Section 42: Exemption from s. 40 in case of trade in shot gun components.Repealed (repealed 1997-10-01)
Section 42A: Information as to transactions under visitors’ permits.
Section 42B: Permitted electronic means
Section 43: Power of Secretary of State to alter fees.
Section 44: Appeals against police decisions.
Section 45: Consequences where registered dealer convicted of offence.

Part III: Law Enforcement and Punishment of Offences

Section 46: Power of search with warrant.
Section 47: Powers of constables to stop and search.
Section 48: Production of certificates.
Section 49: Police powers in relation to arms traffic.
Section 50: Special powers of arrest.Repealed (repealed 2018-01-25)
Section 51: Prosecution and punishment of offences.
Section 51A: Minimum sentence for certain offences under s. 5
Section 52: Forfeiture and disposal of firearms; cancellation of certificate by convicting court.

Part IV: Miscellaneous and General

Section 53: Rules for implementing this Act.
Section 54: Application of Parts I and II to Crown servants.
Section 55: Exercise of police functions.
Section 55A: Guidance as to exercise of police functions
Section 56: Service of notices
Section 57: Interpretation.
Section 57A: Exception for airsoft guns
Section 57B: Power to amend section 57(1D)
Section 58: Particular savings.
Section 59: Repeals and general savings.
Section 60: Short title, commencement and extent.

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This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. These source and reuse terms cover the legislation text, not Remedy's commentary.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.

Firearms Act 1968

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