Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988

1 (1) The Secretary of State may, on an application in writing made on behalf of a museum to which this Schedule applies, grant a museum firearms licence in respect of that museum. E+W+S

(2) While a museum firearms licence (in this Schedule referred to as a “licence”) is in force in respect of a museum the persons responsible for its management and their servants—

(a) may, without holding a firearm certificate or shot gun certificate, have in their possession, and purchase or acquire, for the purposes of the museum firearms and ammunition which are or are to be normally exhibited or kept on its premises or on such of them as are specified in the licence; and

(b) if the licence so provides, may, without the authority of the Secretary of State [F1 or the Scottish Ministers (by virtue of provision made under section 63 of the Scotland Act 1998)] under section 5 of the principal Act, have in their possession, purchase or acquire for those purposes any prohibited weapons and ammunition which are or are to be normally exhibited or kept as aforesaid.

(3) The Secretary of State [F2 or the Scottish Ministers (by virtue of provision made under section 63 of the Scotland Act 1998)] shall not grant a licence in respect of a museum unless, after consulting the chief officer of police for the area in which the premises to which the licence is to apply are situated, he [F2 or they] is satisfied that the arrangements for exhibiting and keeping the firearms and ammunition in question are or will be such as not to endanger the public safety or the peace.

(4) A licence shall be in writing and be subject to such conditions specified in it as the Secretary of State thinks necessary [F3 or the Scottish Ministers (by virtue of provision made under section 63 of the Scotland Act 1998) think necessary] for securing the safe custody of the firearms and ammunition in question.

(5) A licence shall, unless previously revoked or cancelled, continue in force for five years from the date on which it is granted but shall be renewable for further periods of five years at a time and sub-paragraph (3) above shall apply to the renewal of a licence as it applies to a grant.

(6) The Secretary of State may by order substitute for the periods mentioned in sub-paragraph (5) above such longer or shorter periods as are specified in the order.

(7) The power to make an order under sub-paragraph (6) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. para. 1(2)(b) inserted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, arts. 1(1), 6(1), Sch. 5 para. 7(3)(a) (with art. 7)

F2 Words in Sch. para. 1(3) inserted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, arts. 1(1), 6(1), Sch. 5 para. 7(3)(b) (with art. 7)

F3 Words in Sch. para. 1(4) inserted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, arts. 1(1), 6(1), Sch. 5 para. 7(3)(c) (with art. 7)