24Supplying firearms to minors
(1)It is an offence to sell or let on hire any firearm or ammunition to a person under the age of seventeen.
(2)It is an offence—
(a)to make a gift of or lend any firearm or ammunition to which section 1 of this Act applies to a person under the age of fourteen; or
(b)to part with the possession of any such firearm or ammunition to a person under that age, except in circumstances where that person is entitled under section 11(1), (3) or (4) of this Act to have possession thereof without holding a firearm certificate.
(3)It is an offence to make a gift of a shot gun or ammunition for a shot gun to a person under the age of fifteen.
(4)It is an offence—
(a)to make a gift of an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon to a person under the age of fourteen ; or
(b)to part with the possession of an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon to a person under that age except where by virtue of section 23 of this Act the person is not prohibited from having it with him.
(5)In proceedings for an offence under any provision of this section it is a defence to prove that the person charged with the offence believed the other person to be of or over the age mentioned in that provision and had reasonable ground for the belief.