[1.] Meetings and assemblies of persons for the purpose of being trained, or of practising military exercise, prohibited. PunishmentE+W+S
All meetings and assemblies of persons for the purpose of training or drilling themselves, or of being trained or drilled to the use of arms, or for the purpose of practising military exercise, movements, or evolutions, without any lawful authority from his Majesty, or [F1a Secretary of State, or any officer deputed by him for the purpose], by commission or otherwise, for so doing, shall be and the same are hereby prohibited as dangerous to the peace and security of his Majesty’s liege subjects and of his government; and every person who shall be present at or attend any such meeting or assembly for the purpose of training and drilling any other person or persons to the use of arms or the practise of military exercise, movements, or evolutions, or who shall train or drill any other person or persons to the use of arms, or the practise of military exercise, movements, or evolutions, or who shall aid or assist therein, being legally convicted thereof, shall be liable to [F2imprisonment] for any term not exceeding seven years, F3. . .; and every person who shall attend or be present at any such meeting or assembly as aforesaid, for the purpose of being, or who shall at any such meeting or assembly be trained or drilled to the use of arms, or the practice of military exercise, movements, or evolutions, being legally convicted thereof, shall be liable to be punished by fine and imprisonment not exceeding two years, at the discretion of the court in which such conviction shall be had.
Extent Information
E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 1 substituted (E.W.S.) (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 44, s. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 1(a)
F2Words in s. 1 substituted (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 44, s. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 1(c)
F3Words in s. 1 repealed (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 44, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. VI Group 1
[1.] Meetings and assemblies of persons for the purpose of being trained, or of practising military exercise, prohibited. PunishmentN.I.
All meetings and assemblies of persons for the purpose of training or drilling themselves, or of being trained or drilled to the use of arms, or for the purpose of practising military exercise, movements, or evolutions, without any lawful authority from his Majesty, or [F4a Secretary of State], by commission or otherwise, for so doing, shall be and the same are hereby prohibited as dangerous to the peace and security of his Majesty’s liege subjects and of his government; and every person who shall be present at or attend any such meeting or assembly for the purpose of training and drilling any other person or persons to the use of arms or the practise of military exercise, movements, or evolutions, or who shall train or drill any other person or persons to the use of arms, or the practise of military exercise, movements, or evolutions, or who shall aid or assist therein, being legally convicted thereof, shall be liable to [F5imprisonment] for any term not exceeding seven years, F6. . .; and every person who shall attend or be present at any such meeting or assembly as aforesaid, for the purpose of being, or who shall at any such meeting or assembly be trained or drilled to the use of arms, or the practice of military exercise, movements, or evolutions, being legally convicted thereof, shall be liable to be punished by fine and imprisonment not exceeding two years, at the discretion of the court in which such conviction shall be had.
Extent Information
E2This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only
Textual Amendments
F4Words in s. 1 substituted (N.I.) (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 44, s. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 1(b)
F5Words in s. 1 substituted (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 44, s. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 1(c)
F6Words in s. 1 repealed (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 44, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. VI Group 1