요약
The Firearms Act 1968 is the principal statute controlling the possession, purchase, acquisition, and distribution of firearms and ammunition in the UK. It establishes a licensing system administered by the police and creates numerous criminal offences relating to unlawful possession and use of firearms.
핵심 포인트
- Firearm certificate required for rifles and pistols (s.1)
- Shotgun certificate required for shotguns (s.2)
- Prohibited weapons — handguns, automatic weapons, and certain others completely banned (s.5)
- Criminal offences for possession without certificate, carrying in public, and use in crime
- Minimum age requirements for purchasing and possessing firearms
- Police powers to grant, refuse, and revoke certificates
편과 조
개정 이력
1988 — Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988
Banned semi-automatic centre-fire rifles and restricted shotgun capacity following Hungerford massacre.
1997 — Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997
Banned almost all handguns following Dunblane massacre.