Amendments to the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 20043

1

The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 20044 is amended as follows.

2

In Article 30(1) for “may, if the certificate has expired, and shall, if it has been revoked,” substitute “shall”.

3

In Article 38—

a

after paragraph (1)(a) omit—

and

b

after paragraph (1)(b) insert—

; and

c

send a copy of the record of each transaction involving a firearm within 72 hours of the transaction to the Chief Constable.

c

after paragraph (6) insert—

6A

A person who fails to comply with paragraph (1)(c) shall be guilty of an offence.

d

in paragraph (7)(a) after “any” insert “other”.

4

After Article 38 insert—

Recording of transactions in firearms by Chief Constable38A

1

This Article applies where the Chief Constable receives a copy of a record of a transaction involving a firearm in accordance with Article 38(2)(a).

2

The Chief Constable must keep a record which includes the following information—

a

a description of the firearm which includes the matters mentioned in paragraph 6(a) to (d) of Schedule 3;

b

the names and addresses of the seller or transferor and the purchaser or transferee.

3

The record mentioned in paragraph (2) must be kept—

a

on a computerised data filing system;

b

for a period of not less than 20 years from the date of the transaction.

5

In Schedule 3 after paragraph 5 insert—

6

References in paragraphs 1 to 5 to a description of a firearm include—

a

the make and type or distinctive name of the firearm;

b

the model;

c

the calibre; and

d

the serial number.

6

In Schedule 5 after the entry relating to Article 37(5) insert—

Article 38(6A) /Failure to send copy of record of transaction to the Chief Constable/Summary/3 months or level 5 or both