Firearms Act 1968

Part I E+W+S Table of Punishments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 6 Pt. I modified (1.11.1968) by S.I. 1968/1200, art. 3

Section of this Act creating offence	General nature of offence	Mode of prosecution	Punishment	Additional provisions
Section 1(1) ...	Possessing etc. firearm or ammunition without firearm certificate.	(a) Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F1 £400]; or both.
		(b) On indictment	(i) where the offence is committed in an aggravated form within the meaning of section 4(4) of this Act, [F2 7 years], or a fine; or both,
			(ii) in any other case, [F3 5 years]or a fine; or both.	Paragraph 1 of Part II of this Schedule applies.
Section 1(2) ...	Non-compliance with condition of firearm certificate.	Summary ... ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.	Paragraph 1 of Part II of this Schedule applies.
Section 2(1) ...	Possessing, etc., shot gun without shot gun certificate.	[F5 (a) Summary.]	[F5 6 months or the statutory maximum or both.]	Paragraph 1 of Part II of this Schedule applies.
		[F5 (b) On indictment.]	[F5 [F6 5 years] or a fine; or both.]
Section 2(2) ...	Non-compliance with condition of shot gun certificate.	Summary...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.	Paragraph 1 of Part II of this Schedule applies.
Section 3(1) ...	Trading in firearms without being registered as firearms dealer.	(a) Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F1 £400]; or both.
		(b) On indictment	[F7 5 years] or a fine; or both.
Section 3(2) ...	Selling firearm to person without a certificate.	(a) Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F1 £400]; or both.
		(b) On indictment	[F8 5 years] or a fine; or both.
Section 3(3) ...	Repairing, testing etc. firearm for person without a certificate.	(a) Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F1 £400]; or both.
		(b) On indictment	[F9 5 years] or a fine; or both.
Section 3(5) ...	Falsifying certificate, etc., with view to acquisition of firearm.	(a) Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F1 £400]; or both.
		(b) On indictment	[F10 5 years] or [F11 a fine]; or both.
Section 3(6) ...	Pawnbroker taking firearm in pawn.	Summary ... ...	3 months or a fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 4(1)(3)	Shortening a shot gun; conversion of firearms.	(a) Summary...	6 months or a fine of [F1 £400]; or both.
		(b) On indictment	[F12 7 years] or a fine; or both.
[F13 Section 5(1)(a), (ab), (aba), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af) or (c)	Possessing or distributing prohibited weapons or ammunition.	On indictment	10 years or a fine, or both.
Section 5(1)(b)	Possessing or distributing prohibited weapon designed for discharge of noxious liquid etc.	(a) Summary (b) On indictment	6 months or a fine of the statutory maximum, or both. 10 years or a fine or both.
Section 5(1A)(a)	Possessing or distributing firearm disguised as other object.	On indictment	10 years or a fine, or both.
Section 5(1A)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g)	Possessing or distributing other prohibited weapons.	(a) Summary (b) On indictment	6 months or a fine of the statutory maximum, or both. 10 years or a fine, or both.]
Section 5(5) ...	Non-compliance with condition ofDefence Council authority.	Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 5(6) ...	Non - compliance with requirements to surrender authority to possess, etc., prohibited weapon or ammunition.	Summary ... ...	A fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard scale].
Section 6(3) ...	Contravention of order under s. 6 (or corresponding Northern Irish order) restricting removal of arms.	Summary ... ...	3 months or, for each firearm or parcel of ammunition in respect of which the offence is committed, a fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard scale]; or both.	Paragraph 2 of Part II of this Schedule applies.
Section 7(2) ...	Making false statement in order to obtain police permit.	Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 9(3) ...	Making false statement in order to obtain permit for auction of firearms, etc.	[F14 Summary]	[F14 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale; o r both.]
Section 13(2) ...	Making false statement in order to obtain permit for removal of signalling apparatus.	Summary. ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 16 ...	Possession of firearm with intent to endanger life or injure property.	On indictment ...	[F15 life imprisonment] or a fine; or . . . F16 b oth.
[F17 Section 16A]	[F17 Possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.]	[F17 On indictment]	[F17 10 years or a fine; or both.]
F17 Section 17(1) ...	Use of firearms to resist arrest.	On indictment ...	[F15 life imprisonment] or a fine; or, . . . F16 both.	Paragraphs 3 to 5 of Part II of this Schedule apply.
Section 17(2) ...	Possessing firearm while committing an offence specified in Schedule 1 or, in Scotland, an offence specified in Schedule 2.	On indictment ...	[F18 Life imprisonment] or a fine; or . . . F16 both.	Paragraphs 3 and 6 of Part II of this Schedule apply.
Section 18(1) ...	Carrying firearms or imitation firearm with intent commit indictable offence (or, in Scotland, an offence specified in Schedule 2) or to resist arrest.	On indictment ...	[F18 Life imprisonment] or a fine; or, . . . F16 b oth.
Section 19 ...	Carrying [F19 firearm or imitation firearm] in public place.	(a) Summary... [F20 except if the firearm is a firearm specified in section 5(1)(a), (ab), (aba), (ac), (ad), (ae) or (af) or section 5(1A)(a) of this Act.]	6 months or a fine of [F1 £400]; or both.
		(b) On indictment (but not F21 . . . if the firearm is an air weapon).	[F22 7 years.]or a fine; or both.
Section 20(1) ...	Trespassing with firearm [F23 or imitation firearm] in a building.	(a) Summary ... [F20 except if the firearm is a firearm specified in section 5(1)(a), (ab), (aba), (ac), (ad), (ae) or (af) or section 5(1A)(a) of this Act.]	6 months or a fine of [F1 £400]; or both.
		(b) On indictment (but not [F23 in the case of an imitation firearm or] if the firearm is an air weapon).	[F24 7 years]or a fine; or both.
Section 20(2) ...	Trespassing with firearm [F25 or imitation firearm] on land.	Summary ... ...	3 months or a fine of [F4 level 4 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 21(4) ...	Contravention of provisions denying firearms to ex-prisoners and the like.	(a) Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F1 £400]; or both.
		(b) On indictment	[F26 5 years] or a fine; or both.
Section 21(5) ...	Supplying firearms to person denied them under section 21.	(a) Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F1 £400]; or both.
		(b) On indictment	[F27 5 years] or a fine; or both.
[F28 Section 21A	Person making improper use of air weapon	Summary	A fine of level 3 on the standard scale	Paragraphs 7 and 8 of Pt II of this Schedule apply.]
[F29 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.]
F30 Section 22(1A)..	Person under 18 using certificated firearm for unauthorised purpose.	Summary...	3 months or a fine of level 5 on the standard scale; or both.
Section 22(2) ...	Person under 14 having firearm in his possession without lawful authority.	Summary ... ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 22(3) ...	Person under 15 having with him a shot gun without adult supervision.	Summary ... ...	A fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard scale]	Paragraph 8 of Part II of this Schedule applies.
Section 22(4) ...	Person under [F31 18] having with him an air weapon or ammunition therefor.	Summary ... ...	A fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard s cale]	Paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part II of this Schedule apply.
F32 . . .	F32 . . .	F32 . . .	F32 . . .	F32 . . .
Section 23(1) ...	[F33 Person supervising a person under 18 and allowing him to make improper use of air weapon]	Summary ... ...	A fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard s cale]	Paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part II of this Schedule apply.
F34 . . .	F34 . . .	F34 . . .	F34 . . .	F34 . . .
[F35 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.]
Section 24(2) ...	Supplying firearm or ammunition (being of a kind to which section 1 of this Act applies) to person under 14.	Summary ... ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 24(3) ...	Making gift of shot gun to person under 15.	Summary ... ...	A fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard scale]	Paragraph 9 of Part II of this Schedule applies.
Section 24(4) ...	Supplying air weapon to person under [F36 18] .	Summary ... ...	A fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard scale]	Paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part II of this Schedule apply.
[F37 Section 24ZA(1)	Failing to prevent minors from having air weapons	Summary	A fine of level 3 on the standard scale.	Paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part II of this Schedule apply.]
[F38 Section 24A(1) or (2)	Acquisition by a minor of an imitation firearm and supplying him.	Summary	In England and Wales, 51 weeks or a fine of level 5 on the standard scale, or both. In Scotland, 6 months, or a fine of level 5 on the standard scale, or both.]
Section 25 ...	Supplying firearm to person drunk or insane.	Summary ... ...	3 months or a fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard scale]; or both.
[F39 Section 28A(7)] ...	Making false statement in order to procure grant or renewal of a firearm or shot gun certificate.	Summary ... ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 29(3) ...	Making false statement in order to procure variation of a firearm certificate.	Summary ... ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
[F40 Section 30D(3)]...	Failing to surrender certificate on revocation.	Summary ... ...	A fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard s cale].
[F41 Section 32B(5)..	Failure to surrender expired European firearms pass	Summary...	A fine of level 3 on the standard scale.
F42 Section 32C(6)..	Failure to produce European firearms pass or Article 7 authority for variation or cancellation etc.; failure to notify loss or theft of firearm identified in pass or to produce pass for endorsement.	Summary	3 months or a fine of level 5 on the standard scale; or both]
Section 38(8) ...	Failure to surrender certificate of registration [F43 or register of transactions] on removal of firearms dealer’s name from from register.	Summary ... ...	A fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard s cale].
Section 39(1) ...	Making false statement in order to secure registration or entry in register of a place of business.	Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 39(2) ...	Registered firearms dealer having place of business not entered in the register.	Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 39(3) ...	Non-compliance with condition of registration.	Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 40(5) ...	Non-compliance by firearms dealer with provivisions as to register of transactions; making false entry in register.	Summary ...	6 months or a fine of [F4 level 5 on the standard scale]; or both.
F44 . . .	F44 . . .	F44 . . .	F44 . . .
		F44 . . .	F44 . . .
[F45 Section 42A...	Failure to report transaction authorised by visitor’s shot gun permit.	Summary...	3 months or a fine of level 5 on the standard scale; or both.]
[F46 Section 46.]	[F46 Obstructing constable or civilian officer in exercise of search powers.]	[F46 Summary.]	[F46 6 months or a fine of level 5 on the standard scale; or both.]
F46 Section 47(2) ...	Failure to hand over firearm or ammunition on demand by constable.	Summary ...	3 months or a fine of [F4 level 4 on the standard scale]; or both.
Section 48(3) ...	Failure to comply with requirement of a constable that a person shall declare his name and address.	Summary ... ...	A fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard scale].
[F47 Section 48(4)..	Failure to produce firearms pass issued in another member State.	Summary...	A fine of level 3 on the standard scale.]
Section 49(3) ...	Failure to give constable facilities for examination of firearms in transit, or to produce papers.	Summary ... ...	3 months or, for each firearm or parcel of ammunition in respect of which the offence is committed, a fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard scale]; or both.	Paragraph 2 of Part II of this Schedule applies.
Section 52(2)(c)	Failure to surrender firearm or shot gun certificate cancelled by court on conviction.	A fine of [F4 level 3 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F1 Words substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71), ss. 28(1)(5), 66(7)(a)

F2 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 1(1) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F3 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 1(1) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F4 Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G

F5 Words substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 44(2)(4), 123(6), Sch. 8 para. 16

F6 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 2(1) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F7 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 3(1) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F8 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 3(2) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F9 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 3(3) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F10 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 3(5) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F11 Words substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71), ss. 28(1)(4), 66(7)(a)

F12 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 4(1)(3) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F13 Sch. 6 Pt. 1: entries relating to s. 5(1)(1A) substituted (22.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 288, 336; S.I. 2004/81, art. 3(2)(b)

F14 Words substituted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 23(7)

F15 Words substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71), ss. 28(1)(2), 66(7)(a)

F16 Words repealed by Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71), ss. 28(6), 66(7)(a), Sch. 6 Pt. II

F17 Sch. 6 Pt. I: entry relating to s. 16A inserted (21.9.1994) by 1994 c. 31, ss. 1(2), 4(2) (with s. 4(3))

F18 Words substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 44(3)(4), 123(6), Sch. 8 para. 16

F19 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 2 of entry relating to s. 19 substituted (20.1.2004) by Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (2003 c. 38), ss. 37(2)(a), 93; S.I. 2003/3300, art. 2(c)(i)

F20 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words inserted (6.4.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 30(4), 66(2); S.I. 2007/858, art. 2(d)

F21 Sch. 6 Pt I: words omitted (1.10.2007) by virtue Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 41(1)(a), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2518, art. 2

F22 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 3 of entry relating to s. 19 substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), ss. 157(3)(9), 172(2), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F23 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in entry relating to s. 20(1) inserted (21.9.1994) by 1994 c. 31, ss. 2(3)(a), 4(2) (with s. 4(3))

F24 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 20(1) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F25 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in entry relating to s. 20(2) inserted (21.9.1994) by 1994 c. 31, ss. 2(3)(b), 4(2) (with s. 4(3))

F26 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 21(4) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F27 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in column 4 of entry relating to s. 21(5) substituted (3.2.1995) by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33), s. 157(3)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. III; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F28 Sch 6 Pt I: entry inserted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 34(4), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(d)

F29 Words in Sch. 6 Pt. I substituted (28.7.2010) by Firearms (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1759), regs. 1(2), 2(7)(a)

F30 Sch. 6 Pt. I: the entry relating to s. 22(1A) inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2823, reg. 4(4).

F31 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words in entry substituted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 33(6)(b), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(c)

F32 Sch. 6 Pt. I: entry relating to s. 22(5) repealed (20.1.2004) by Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (c. 38), ss.38(5)(b), 92, 93, Sch. 3; S.I. 2003/3300, art. 2(c)(ii)(g)(ii)(a)

F33 Sch. 6 Pt I: words in entry substituted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 34(5), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(d)

F34 Sch. 6 Pt I: entry repealed (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 65, 66(2), Sch. 5; S.I. 2007/2180, art. 4(f)(i)

F35 Words in Sch. 6 Pt. I substituted (28.7.2010) by Firearms (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1759), regs. 1(2), 2(7)(b)

F36 Sch. 6 Pt. I: word in entry substituted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 33(6)(d), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(c)

F37 Words in Sch. 6 Pt. I inserted (10.2.2011) by Crime and Security Act 2010 (c. 17), ss. 46(4), 59(1); S.I. 2011/144, art. 2

F38 Sch. 6 Pt I: entry inserted (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 40(2), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(i)

F39 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words "Section 28A(7)" substituted for the words "Section 26(5)" (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 52(1), Sch. 2 para. 4(2); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

F40 Sch. 6 Pt. I: words "Section 30D(3)" substituted for words "Section 30(4)" (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 52(1), Sch. 2 para. 14; S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

F41 Sch. 6 Pt. I: the entry relating to s. 32B(5) inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2823, reg. 5(3).

F42 Sch. 6 Pt. I: the entry relating to s. 32C(6) inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2823, reg. 5(3).

F43 Words inserted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1), s. 14(1)

F44 Sch. 6 Pt. I: entry relating to s. 42 repealed (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 52(1), Sch. 3; S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(c), Sch. Pt. II

F45 Sch. 6 Pt. I: the entry relating to s. 42A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2823, reg. 6(3).

F46 Sch. 6 Pt. I: entry relating to s. 46 inserted (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 5, s. 43(3); S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I

F47 Sch. 6 Pt. I: the entry relating to s. 48(4) inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2823, reg. 7(5).