Restrictions on minors
4.—(1) In section 22 of the 1968 Act (acquisition and possession of firearms by minors), after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—
“(1A) Where a person under the age of eighteen is entitled, as the holder of a certificate under this Act, to have a firearm in his possession, it is an offence for that person to use that firearm for a purpose not authorised by the European weapons directive.”
(2) In section 27 of that Act (special provision about firearm certificates), after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—
“(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1) above a person under the age of eighteen shall be capable of having a good reason for having a firearm or ammunition in his possession, or for purchasing or acquiring it, only if he has no intention of using the firearm or ammunition, at any time before he attains the age of eighteen, for a purpose not authorised by the European weapons directive.”
(3) In section 28 of that Act (special provision about shot gun certificates), after subsection (1B) there shall be inserted the following subsection—
“(1C) A person under the age of eighteen shall be regarded for the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection (1A) above as not having a good reason for possessing, purchasing or acquiring a shot gun if it is his intention to use the shot gun, at any time before he attains the age of eighteen, for a purpose not authorised by the European weapons directive.”
(4) In Part I of Schedule 6 to that Act (prosecution and punishment of offences), after the entry relating to section 22(1) there shall be inserted the following entry—
| “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. | —” |