Firearms Certificate information
Summary of the law as affecting juveniles in the use of airguns
Summary of the law as affecting juveniles in the purchase of airguns and ammunition
With effect from 20 January 2004: It is now an offence to posses any rifle, pistol, or other form of air gun that uses a self-contained gas cartridge system, for example the Brocock type of revolver. Such guns are now classed as Section 1 firearms. For further details contact the NSRA, or ask at the club on a Thursday evening.
The details below are believed to be correct as of January 2008 and are shown here as a guide to assist both existing shooters and those interested in taking up the sport. See also the section on how to obtain a Firearms Certificate.
There is no minimum age for the issue of a shot gun certificate.
A firearm certificate may be granted to any person aged 17 years or older in their own name and they may then purchase any guns and ammunition specified on that certificate.
A firearm certificate may be granted to any person aged between 14 and 17 years of age, but they may not themselves purchase any guns or ammunition.
No person under 14 may be granted a firearm certificate, or use firearms other than on an approved range or shooting gallery, such as at a fairground (where the maximum calibre allowed is .23 inch).
The minimum age to purchase airguns and any ammunition for them, is 18.
It is an offence under section 21 of the Firearms Act of 1968 as amended, for anyone convicted of a criminal offence, to handle, possess, or shoot a firearm and ammunition (this includes Air Guns). If the sentence was for more than three years the prohibition is for life; if less than three years the prohibition is for 5 years (Note: it is the sentence, not the time served, which is the determining factor).
Cost of Firearms and Shotgun Certificates
Firearms Certificates (Valid for 5 years)
Shot Gun Certificates (Valid for 5 years)
Co-Terminus Certificate for both Firearms and Shotgun (Valid for 5 years)
Explosives Certificates (necessary for Black Powder shooting)
Acquire and keep (valid
for 3 years)
Free
Acquire only (valid for 1
year)
Free.
Anyone over the age
of 18 can purchase and use airguns anywhere that they have a legal right to
use them.
Persons of 18 years
or older can carry an unloaded air rifle or an air pistol in a public place
provided that it is in a secure cover, so that it cannot be fired.
Persons aged
between 14 and 17 years inclusive can use an airgun on private property
where they are legally entitled to be, without any adult supervision.
Persons aged
between 14 and 17 years inclusive may carry an unloaded air rifle (but not an air
pistol) in a public place, provided that it is in a secure cover, so that it
cannot be fired.
Persons aged under
14 may only use an airgun whilst being directly supervised by a person aged
21 or older and whilst they are on private property with the consent of the
owner (e.g. an Approved target shooting club).
Persons aged under 14 years may carry an unloaded air rifle (but not an air pistol) in a public place, provided that it is in a secure cover, so that it cannot be fired and they must be directly supervised by a person aged 21 or older.
Persons aged 18
years and older may purchase airguns and ammunition without having any
specific certification to either buy, possess, or use them. The guns have to be
less than 12 ft/lbs for rifles and 6 ft/lbs for pistols; if they are above
these limits then a firearms certificate is required and the guns are
considered to be firearms and not airguns.
No person under the
age of 18 years can purchase or own airguns or ammunition.
Persons aged between 14
and 17 years may not purchase guns or ammunition,
but may borrow them or have them purchased on
their behalf by someone aged 18 years
or older.
Persons aged under 14 years cannot buy, hire, or receive as a gift any airguns or ammunition, but may use them under supervision of someone aged 21 years or older.
Revised 25-Feb-2009.