Section 18 – Approval of air weapon clubs
72.This section sets out the process by which an air weapon club can be approved by the Chief Constable, to allow its members to benefit from the exemption at paragraph 1 of schedule 1, as well as allowing members to put forward their club membership as evidence that they meet the ‘good reason’ criteria required by section 5(1)(c) for the grant of an individual air weapon certificate.
73.Subsection (1) states that the Chief Constable may, at the Chief Constable’s discretion, approve an air weapon club on receipt of an application from a club. Subsection (2) states that an application for an air weapon club approval cannot be considered unless it complies with the requirements set out in regulations to be made under section 36. Separately, section 35(3) has the effect that where an application is made in compliance with the application processes it still cannot be considered by the Chief Constable until the fee is paid.
74.Subsection (3) allows the Chief Constable to withdraw a club approval at any time, by giving notice to the club to that effect.
75.Subsection (4) states that all club approvals will be subject to mandatory conditions, which will be specified in regulations issued under section 36. Subsection (5) provides for the Chief Constable to attach other conditions to air weapon club approvals, which may place positive or negative obligations on the club’s secretariat and membership. But, in accordance with subsection (6), the Chief Constable may not attach any conditions which are inconsistent with any mandatory conditions.
