Acquisition and possession of firearms by minors
2.—(1) The Firearms Act 1968(1) is amended as follows.
(2) In section 11 (sports, athletics and other approved activities)—
(a)in subsection (1) at the end insert “; but where the person carrying the firearm or ammunition is under the age of eighteen, this subsection applies only if the other person is of or over the age of eighteen”;
(b)in subsection (2) after “A person” insert “of or over the age of eighteen”;
(c)in subsection (5) at the end insert “; but where the person borrowing the shot gun is under the age of eighteen, this subsection applies only if the occupier is of or over the age of eighteen”.
(3) In section 22 (acquisition and possession of firearms by minors) for subsection (1) substitute—
“(1) It is an offence for a person under the age of eighteen to purchase or hire any firearm or ammunition.”.
(4) In section 24 (supplying firearms to minors), for subsection (1) substitute—
“(1) It is an offence to sell or let on hire any firearm or ammunition to a person under the age of eighteen.”.
(5) In section 27 (special provisions about firearm certificates), in subsection (1A) omit “purchasing or”.
(6) In section 28 (special provision about shot gun certificates), in subsection (1C) omit “, purchasing”.
(7) In Part I of Schedule 6 (prosecution and punishment of offences)—
(a)for the entry relating to section 22(1) substitute—
| “Section 22(1) | Person under 18 acquiring firearm | Summary | (i) where the offence is committed by a person aged 17 in relation to a firearm other than an air weapon or ammunition other than ammunition for an air weapon, 3 months or a fine of level 5 on the standard scale; or both; |
| (ii) in any other case, 6 months or a fine of level 5 on the standard scale; or both.” |
(b)for the entry relating to section 24(1) substitute—
| “Section 24(1) | Selling or letting on hire a firearm to a person under 18 | Summary | (i) where the offence is committed in relation to a person aged 17 and in relation to a firearm other than an air weapon or ammunition other than ammunition for an air weapon, 3 months or a fine of level 5 on the standard scale; or both; |
| (ii) in any other case, 6 months or a fine of level 5 on the standard scale; or both.” |
1968 c. 27; sections 22(1) and 24(1) were amended by the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), and sections 27(1A) and 28(1C) were inserted by S.I. 1992/2823.