3(1)It is not an offence under section 2(1) for an individual to possess, acquire or purchase an air weapon without holding an air weapon certificate if—
(a)the individual is carrying on business as an auctioneer or is the employee of an auctioneer, and
(b)the possession occurs in the ordinary course of the business as an auctioneer.
(2)It is not an offence under section 24 for an individual (“A”) who is an auctioneer (but not a registered firearms dealer) in the course of A’s business as such an auctioneer to sell (or expose for sale) by auction an air weapon if A holds a police permit granted by the chief constable under section 12.