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CONTROL OF FIREARMS IN BRITAIN

NCJ Number
60676
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY OF GUN CONTROL LAWS IN BRITAIN, AND THE STATISTICS ON THE USE OF FIREARMS IN CRIME ARE PRESENTED IN THIS PAMPHLET.
Abstract
THE BRITISH FIREARMS ACT OF 1920 PROHIBITED BUYING, POSSESSING, USING, OR CARRYING RIFLES AND PISTOLS, OR THEIR AMMUNITION, WITHOUT A CERTIFICATE FROM A CHIEF OFFICER OF POLICE. APPLICANTS WITH GOOD REASONS FOR ACQUIRING FIREARMS COULD BE PERMITTED TO HAVE THEM IF THEY PRESENTED NO DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY. A 1936 AMENDMENT STRENGTHENED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES AND PRESCRIBED STRINGENT RESTRICTIONS ON MACHINE GUNS AND SHORT-BARRELLED SHOTGUNS. A SERIES OF LAWS IN THE 1960'S PLACED RESTRICTIONS ON FIREARMS, AND AIRGUNS USE AND POSSESSION BY YOUNG PEOPLE, WHILE MAINTAINING THE PERMISSIBLE USE OF WEAPONS FOR TRAINING AND TARGET SHOOTING. THE FIREARMS ACT OF 1968 CONTAINS A SERIES OF GRADED CONTROLS OVER FIREARMS ACQUISITION AND POSSESSION, INCLUDING PROHIBITION OF AUTOMATIC WEAPONS WITHOUT OFFICIAL PERMISSION, AND IMPOSITION OF STRINGENT CONDITIONS FOR THE OWNERSHIP OF PISTOLS AND RIFLES. THE 1968 STATUTE PROHIBITS THE POSSESSION OF FIREARMS BY AN EX-OFFENDER, ALTHOUGH FORMER INMATES CAN APPLY REQUESTING REMOVAL OF THIS PENALTY. THE CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS DO NOT APPLY TO MEMBERS OF RIFLE CLUBS OR CADET CORPS APPROVED BY THE HOME SECRETARY, PERSONS AT RANGES OR GALLERIES, OR VISITORS NOT INTENDING TO STAY IN BRITAIN FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS AND HAVING A SHOTGUN; RIFLES AND PISTOLS DO REQUIRE CERTIFICATION. THE POLICE ARE GIVEN SPECIAL POWERS TO SEARCH FOR WEAPONS AND TO REQUIRE THE PRODUCTION OF CERTIFICATES. FIREARMS ARE USED IN 6 TO 7 PERCENT OF THE ROBBERIES RECORDED BY THE POLICE. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)