Part IProhibition of weapons and ammunition and control of small-calibre pistols

General prohibition of small firearms etc.

1Extension of s.5 of the 1968 Act to prohibit certain small firearms etc

1

Section 5 of the [1968 c. 27.] Firearms Act 1968 (referred to in this Act as “the 1968 Act”) shall have effect with the following amendments.

2

In subsection (1) (which describes weapons which are prohibited by section 5), after paragraph (ab) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

aba

any firearm which either has a barrel less than 30 centimetres in length or is less than 60 centimetres in length overall, other than an air weapon, a small-calibre pistol, a muzzle-loading gun or a firearm designed as signalling apparatus;

3

In paragraph (ab) (self-loading or pump-action rifles) of that subsection, for the word “rifle” there shall be substituted the words “rifled gun”.

4

In paragraph (ac) (self-loading and pump-action smooth-bore guns) after the word “not” there shall be inserted the words “an air weapon or”.

5

In paragraph (ad) (smooth-bore revolver guns), for the words from “loaded” to the end there shall be substituted the words “a muzzle-loading gun”.

6

After subsection (7) there shall be inserted the following subsections—

8

For the purposes of subsection (1)(aba) and (ac) above, any detachable, folding, retractable or other movable butt-stock shall be disregarded in measuring the length of any firearm.

9

Any reference in this section to a muzzle-loading gun is a reference to a gun which is designed to be loaded at the muzzle end of the barrel or chamber with a loose charge and a separate ball (or other missile).

7

The general prohibition by section 5 of the 1968 Act of firearms falling within subsection (1)(aba) of that section is subject to the special exemptions in sections 2 to 8 below.

8

In sections 2 to 8 below any reference to a firearm certificate shall include a reference to a visitor’s firearm permit.

9

In section 57 of the 1968 Act (interpretation), after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

1A

In this Act “small-calibre pistol” means—

a

a pistol chambered for .22 or smaller rim-fire cartridges; or

b

an air pistol to which section 1 of this Act applies and which is designed to fire .22 or smaller diameter ammunition.