7 Firearms of historic interest.E+W+S
(1)[F1The authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers] is not required by virtue of subsection (1)(aba) of section 5 of the 1968 Act for a person to have in his possession, or to purchase or acquire, or to sell or transfer, a firearm which—
(a)was manufactured before 1st January 1919; and
(b)is of a description specified under subsection (2) below,
if he is authorised by a firearm certificate to have the firearm in his possession, or to purchase or acquire it, subject to a condition that he does so only for the purpose of its being kept or exhibited as part of a collection.
(2)The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument specify a description of firearm for the purposes of subsection (1) above if it appears to him that—
(a)firearms of that description were manufactured before 1st January 1919; and
(b)ammunition for firearms of that type is not readily available.
(3)The authority of the Secretary of State [F2or the Scottish Ministers] is not required by virtue of subsection (1)(aba) of section 5 of the 1968 Act for a person to have in his possession, or to purchase or acquire, or to sell or transfer, a firearm which—
(a)is of particular rarity, aesthetic quality or technical interest, or
(b)is of historical importance,
if he is authorised by a firearm certificate to have the firearm in his possession subject to a condition requiring it to be kept and used only at a place designated for the purposes of this subsection by the Secretary of State [F3or the Scottish Ministers (by virtue of provision made under section 63 of the Scotland Act 1998)].
(4)This section has effect without prejudice to section 58(2) of the 1968 Act (antique firearms).
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 7(1) substituted (14.7.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 109(3)(a), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(b)
F2Words in s. 7(3) substituted (14.7.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 109(3)(b), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(b)
F3Words in s. 7(1)(3) inserted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, arts. 1(1), 6(1), Sch. 5 para. 18(7) (with art. 7); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 7(3) restricted (tempto 1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/1538, reg. 2
S. 7(3): Transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, arts. 1(1), 2, Sch. 1 (with art. 7); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3