(1)The Firearms Act 1968 is amended as follows.
(2)After section 55 insert—
(1)The Secretary of State may issue guidance to chief officers of police as to the exercise of their functions under, or in connection with, this Act.
(2)The Secretary of State may revise any guidance issued under this section.
(3)The Secretary of State must arrange for any guidance issued under this section, and any revision of it, to be published.
(4)A chief officer of police must have regard to any guidance issued under this section.
(5)Before issuing guidance under this section, the Secretary of State must consult—
(a)the National Police Chiefs' Council, and
(b)the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland.”
(3)In section 44 (appeals against police decisions), after subsection (3) insert—
“(3A)The court or sheriff hearing an appeal must have regard to any guidance issued under section 55A that is relevant to the appeal.”