Part I

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

Surrender of firearms, etc. and compensation

Payments in respect of ancillary equipment.
17
1
The Secretary of State shall, in accordance with any scheme which may be made by him, make payments in respect of ancillary equipment of any description specified in the scheme.
2
For the purposes of subsection (1) above “ancillary equipment” means equipment, other than prohibited ammunition, which—
a
is designed or adapted for use in connection with firearms prohibited by virtue of section 1(2) above; and
b
has no practicable use in connection with any firearm which is not a prohibited weapon.
3
A scheme under subsection (1) above shall provide only for the making of payments to persons making claims for such payments in respect of ancillary equipment—
a
which they had in their possession on 16th October 1996; or
b
which they had in their possession after that date, having purchased it by virtue of a contract entered into before that date.
4
No payment shall be made under a scheme under subsection (1) above in relation to any ammunition unless its possession or, as the case may be, purchase by any person claiming a payment in respect of it was, at all material times, lawful by virtue of a firearm certificate held by him or by virtue of his being a registered firearms dealer.
5
A scheme under subsection (1) above may require, as a condition of eligibility for receipt of payments under the scheme in respect of any equipment—
a
the surrender (whether to the police or any other person) of that equipment in accordance with the scheme within a period specified by the scheme; or
b
the disposal of that equipment by way of sale within a period so specified; or
c
either such surrender or such disposal of the equipment within a period so specified.
6
A scheme under subsection (1) above may—
a
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;
b
make different provision for different descriptions of equipment or for different descriptions of claimant.
7
This section applies in relation to equipment designed or adapted for use in connection with small-calibre pistols with the substitution—
a
for the reference in subsection (2)(a) above to firearms prohibited by virtue of section 1(2) above of a reference to small-calibre pistols; and
b
for the reference in subsection (3)(a) above to 16th October 1996 of a reference to 14th May 1997.
S. 17 wholly in force at 1.7.1997; s. 17 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 53(3)(4); s. 17 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. 17(7) inserted (1.2.1998) by 1997 c. 64, s. 2(4); S.I. 1997/3114, arts. 3, 4, Sch. Pt. II