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Firearms Act 1968

Firearms Act 1968

1968 c.27 · 89 provisions

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.

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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About this text

This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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