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Q326: Do I need a certificate for an air weapon?

Answer

It is an offence to possess, purchase or acquire a firearm without holding a relevant firearm certificate at the time. A firearm for the purpose of requiring a certificate means:

  • a lethal barrelled weapon, a barrelled weapon from which a shot, bullet or other missile, with kinetic energy of more than one joule at the muzzle of the weapon, can be discharged;
  • a prohibited weapon;
  • relevant component part in relation to a lethal barrelled weapon or a prohibited weapon;
  • an accessory to a lethal barrelled weapon or a prohibited weapon where the accessory is designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing the weapon.

Airsoft guns

There is an exception to the requirement to hold a firearms certificate in relation to airsoft guns. An airsoft gun means a barrelled weapon which:

  • is designed to discharge only a small plastic missile, whether or not it is also capable of discharging any other kind of missile, and
  • is not capable of discharging a missile, of any kind, with kinetic energy at the muzzle of the weapon that exceeds the permitted level.

A small plastic missile for the purposes of this exemption means a missile that is made wholly or partly from plastics, is spherical, and does not exceed 8mm in diameter.

The permitted level referred to above is:

  • in the case of a weapon which is capable of discharging two or more missiles successively without repeated pressure on the trigger, 1.3 joules ;
  • in any other case, 2.5 joules .

Air weapons (air rifle, air gun, air pistol)

An air weapon will be classed as a firearm if it is 'a lethal barrelled weapon' as outlined above. If it is not a lethal barrelled weapon, an air weapon is exempt from the requirement to hold a firearms certificate provided it is not designed or adapted for use with a self-contained gas cartridge system, or declared by the Secretary of State as specially dangerous.

An air weapon is deemed specially dangerous if:

  • It has a muzzle kinetic energy in excess of:
    • in the case of an air pistol: 6 ft lb;
    • in the case of an air weapon other than an air pistol: 12 ft lb; or
  • Is disguised as another object.

As long as the air weapon fits within the exemptions above, you will not require a certificate for it. If in doubt contact your local force's firearms licensing department.

Please note that all calls to police involving firearms are treated as if it is a genuine firearm so be aware that if you do wave an imitation firearm around you could find yourself surrounded by firearms officers pointing real weapons at you.

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You need to apply to your local police force who will have a firearm administration section.

Before a firearm certificate is granted or renewed, the Chief Officer of Police is required to be satisfied that:

    • The applicant is fit to be entrusted with a firearm to which Section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968 applies and is not a person prohibited by that Act (e.g. by age or previous conviction) from possessing such a firearm,
    • The applicant has a good reason for having in their possession, or for purchasing or acquiring the firearm and ammunition in respect of which the application is made,
    • That in all circumstances the applicant can be permitted to have the firearm or ammunition in their possession without danger to the public safety or to the peace.

Along with the application form, you will have to provide, one recent passport sized photo of a true likeness, and details of two persons who are prepared to provide a reference to the application in the case of a firearms certificate and one person in the case of an application for a shotgun certificate. A referee must not be a member of the applicant's family, a serving police officer or police employee or a registered firearm dealer. A referee should be of good character and the reference should be freely given and not on payment of any fee.

You need to complete the personal health and medical declaration part of the application form. This includes you providing details of your GP and signing the form granting the police permission to obtain factual details of any medical history in relation to your suitability to possess a firearm and/or shotgun.

The application form also requires you to disclose if you have been convicted or received a written caution.

No shotgun certificate will be granted or renewed if the Chief Officer of Police:

    • Has reason to believe that the applicant is prohibited by this Act from possessing a shot gun; or
    • Is satisfied that the applicant does not have a good reason for possessing, purchasing or acquiring one.

Please note that all calls to police involving firearms are treated as if it is a genuine firearm so be aware that if you do wave an imitation firearm around you could find yourself surrounded by firearms officers pointing real weapons at you.

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The firearms and ammunition to which the certificate relates must be stored securely at all times to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, access to the firearms or ammunition by an unauthorised person.

The Home Office have issued guidance with recommends that firearms should be stored in a locked gun cabinet or other similarly secure container. In some cases if you don't have a gun cabinet, it may be acceptable to remove the firing mechanism from the firearm and store it in a secure container, for example, a safe. In these cases you should then lock away the rest of the firearm. A securely built gunroom or cellar with a steel door that locks can also be an acceptable form of storage. Section 1 ammunition can be stored in a separate secure compartment within a gun cabinet or in its own secure container.

The security of your firearm will depend not only on how the firearms are stored, but also on the overall security of the property where the firearms are kept. Guidance on the security requirements can be obtained from your local firearms licensing department.

Please note that all calls to police involving firearms are treated as if it is a genuine firearm so be aware that if you do wave an imitation firearm around you could find yourself surrounded by firearms officers pointing real weapons at you.

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Firearm Certificates/Shotgun Certificates can be refused on the following grounds, if the Chief Officer of Police is satisfied that the applicant cannot fulfil the criteria for the grant or renewal of a certificate (see question Q233).

A firearm certificate may be fully revoked by the Chief Officer of Police for the area in which the holder resides if they have reason to believe:

  • That the holder is of intemperate habits or unsound mind or is otherwise unfit to be entrusted with such a firearm; or
  • That the holder can no longer be permitted to have the firearm or ammunition to which the certificate relates in their possession without danger to the public safety or to the peace; or
  • That the holder is prohibited by this Act from possessing a firearm to which section 1 of the Firearms Act applies; or
  • That the holder no longer has a good reason for having in their possession, or for purchasing or acquiring, the firearm or ammunition which they are authorised by virtue of the certificate to have in his possession or to purchase or acquire; or
  • That the holder has failed to comply with a notice requiring them to deliver up the certificate to them within 21 days from the date of the notice for the purpose of amending the conditions under which the certificate is held.

A firearm certificate may be partially revoked only if the Chief Officer of Police is satisfied that the holder no longer has a good reason for having in his possession or for purchasing or acquiring, the firearm or ammunition to which the partial revocation relates.

A shotgun certificate may be revoked by the Chief Officer of Police for the area in which the holder resides if they are satisfied that the holder is prohibited by this Act from possessing a shotgun or cannot be permitted to possess a shot gun without danger to the public safety or to the peace.

Please note that all calls to police involving firearms are treated as if it is a genuine firearm so be aware that if you do wave an imitation firearm around, you could find yourself surrounded by firearms officers pointing real weapons at you.

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Costs of various certificates are,

  • Grant of Firearms certificate - £88
  • Grant of Shot gun certificate - £79.50
  • Renewal of Firearms certificate - £62
  • Renewal of Shot gun certificate - £49
  • Replacement of a certificate lost or destroyed - £4
  • Firearm and shotgun co-terminous grants - £90
  • Firearm and shotgun co-terminous renewal - £65
  • Variation - £20
  • Explosive certificate, in some cases it is currently free but there are types of explosive certificates where a fee is payable, check with your forces explosive officer/firearms licensing department for more details.
  • Visitors' permit (1-5 people) - £20 per person
  • Visitors' group permit (6 or more people) - £100 for the group

You must immediately notify the relevant police force of any change of address. There will be details of the exact person/department to notify within the papers received concerning the certificate.

Please note that all calls to police involving firearms are treated as if it is a genuine firearm so be aware that if you do wave an imitation firearm around you could find yourself surrounded by firearms officers pointing real weapons at you.

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A firearm or shotgun certificate normally last for five years from the date it is issued or renewed.

There are two types of Explosive Certificates:

Acquire Only: allows a person to corporate body to obtain explosives which are used straight away and are not kept overnight.

Acquire and Keep: allows a person or corporate body to obtain explosives and keep them in an approved storage place.

These certificates last for a maximum of five years, in line with shotgun/firearm certificates.

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Question

Q326: Do I need a certificate for an air weapon?

Answer

It is an offence to possess, purchase or acquire a firearm without holding a relevant firearm certificate at the time. A firearm for the purpose of requiring a certificate means:

  • a lethal barrelled weapon, a barrelled weapon from which a shot, bullet or other missile, with kinetic energy of more than one joule at the muzzle of the weapon, can be discharged;
  • a prohibited weapon;
  • relevant component part in relation to a lethal barrelled weapon or a prohibited weapon;
  • an accessory to a lethal barrelled weapon or a prohibited weapon where the accessory is designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing the weapon.

Airsoft guns

There is an exception to the requirement to hold a firearms certificate in relation to airsoft guns. An airsoft gun means a barrelled weapon which:

  • is designed to discharge only a small plastic missile, whether or not it is also capable of discharging any other kind of missile, and
  • is not capable of discharging a missile, of any kind, with kinetic energy at the muzzle of the weapon that exceeds the permitted level.

A small plastic missile for the purposes of this exemption means a missile that is made wholly or partly from plastics, is spherical, and does not exceed 8mm in diameter.

The permitted level referred to above is:

  • in the case of a weapon which is capable of discharging two or more missiles successively without repeated pressure on the trigger, 1.3 joules ;
  • in any other case, 2.5 joules .

Air weapons (air rifle, air gun, air pistol)

An air weapon will be classed as a firearm if it is 'a lethal barrelled weapon' as outlined above. If it is not a lethal barrelled weapon, an air weapon is exempt from the requirement to hold a firearms certificate provided it is not designed or adapted for use with a self-contained gas cartridge system, or declared by the Secretary of State as specially dangerous.

An air weapon is deemed specially dangerous if:

  • It has a muzzle kinetic energy in excess of:
    • in the case of an air pistol: 6 ft lb;
    • in the case of an air weapon other than an air pistol: 12 ft lb; or
  • Is disguised as another object.

As long as the air weapon fits within the exemptions above, you will not require a certificate for it. If in doubt contact your local force's firearms licensing department.

Please note that all calls to police involving firearms are treated as if it is a genuine firearm so be aware that if you do wave an imitation firearm around you could find yourself surrounded by firearms officers pointing real weapons at you.
 
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