Policing and Crime Act 2017

130 Authorised lending and possession of firearms for hunting etc

(1) After section 11 of the Firearms Act 1968 insert—

“11A Authorised lending and possession of firearms for hunting etc

(1) A person (“the borrower”) may, without holding a certificate under this Act, borrow a rifle or shot gun from another person on private premises (“the lender”) and have the rifle or shot gun in his or her possession on those premises if—

(a) the four conditions set out in subsections (2) to (5) are met, and

(b) in the case of a rifle, the borrower is aged 17 or over.

(2) The first condition is that the borrowing and possession of the rifle or shot gun are for either or both of the following purposes—

(a) hunting animals or shooting game or vermin;

(b) shooting at artificial targets.

(3) The second condition is that the lender—

(a) is aged 18 or over,

(b) holds a certificate under this Act in respect of the rifle or shot gun, and

(c) is either—

(i) a person who has a right to allow others to enter the premises for the purposes of hunting animals or shooting game or vermin, or

(ii) a person who is authorised in writing by a person mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) to lend the rifle or shot gun on the premises (whether generally or to persons specified in the authorisation who include the borrower).

(4) The third condition is that the borrower’s possession and use of the rifle or shot gun complies with any conditions as to those matters specified in the lender’s certificate under this Act.

(5) The fourth condition is that, during the period for which the rifle or shot gun is borrowed, the borrower is in the presence of the lender or—

(a) where a rifle is borrowed, a person who, although not the lender, is aged 18 or over, holds a certificate under this Act in respect of that rifle and is a person described in subsection (3)(c)(i) or (ii);

(b) where a shot gun is borrowed, a person who, although not the lender, is aged 18 or over, holds a certificate under this Act in respect of that shot gun or another shot gun and is a person described in subsection (3)(c)(i) or (ii).

(6) Where a rifle is borrowed on any premises in reliance on subsection (1), the borrower may, without holding a firearm certificate, purchase or acquire ammunition on the premises, and have the ammunition in his or her possession on those premises for the period for which the firearm is borrowed, if—

(a) the ammunition is for use with the firearm,

(b) the lender’s firearm certificate authorises the lender to have in his or her possession during that period ammunition of a quantity not less than that purchased or acquired by, and in the possession of, the borrower, and

(c) the borrower’s possession and use of the ammunition complies with any conditions as to those matters specified in the certificate.”

(2) In consequence of the amendment made by subsection (1), omit the following—

(a) section 11(5) of the Firearms Act 1968;

(b) section 16 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988.