Part I

Prohibition of weapons and ammunition and control of small-calibre pistols

Surrender of firearms, etc. and compensation

Payments in respect of prohibited small firearms and ammunition.
16
1
The Secretary of State shall, in accordance with a scheme made by him, make payments in respect of firearms and ammunition surrendered at designated police stations in accordance with the arrangements made by him under section 15 above.
2
A scheme under subsection (1) above shall provide only for the making of payments to persons making claims for such payments in respect of firearms or ammunition—
a
which they had, and were entitled to have in their possession on or immediately before 16th October 1996 by virtue of firearm certificates held by them or by virtue of their being registered firearms dealers; or
b
which on or before that date they had contracted to acquire and were entitled to have in their possession after that date by virtue of such certificates held by them or by virtue of their being registered firearms dealers,
and their possession of which will become, or has become, unlawful by virtue of section 1(2) or 9 above.
3
A scheme under subsection (1) above may—
a
restrict eligibility for receipt of payments to claims made in respect of firearms or ammunition surrendered within a period specified in the scheme;
b
provide for the procedure to be followed (including any time within which claims must be made and the provision of information) in respect of claims under the scheme and for the determination of such claims;
c
make different provision for different descriptions of firearm or ammunition or for different descriptions of claimant.
4
This section applies in relation to small-calibre pistols surrendered at designated police stations in accordance with the arrangements made under section 15 above with the substitution—
a
for the reference in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) above to 16th October 1996 of a reference to 14th May 1997; and
b
for the reference in that subsection to section 1(2) above of a reference to section 1 of the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1997 (prohibition of small-calibre pistols).
S. 16 wholly in force at 1.7.1997; s. 16 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 53(3)(4); s. 16 in force for certain purposes at 17.3.1997 by S.I. 1997/1076, art. 2 and in force at 1.7.1997 insofar as not already in force by S.I. 1997/1535, art. 3(b), Sch. Pt. I
S. 16(4) inserted (1.2.1998) by 1997 c. 64, s. 2(3); S.I. 1997/3114, arts. 3, 4, Sch. Pt. II