- New measures to target antique firearms used in violent crime
- Up to 26,000 guns will now require firearms licence
- Comes after evidence of criminal exploitation of existing
rules
Loopholes exploited by criminals to use antique firearms in
violent crime will be closed by new laws introduced today (Monday
9 November).
The antique firearms exemption allows collectors and dealers to
possess and trade in old firearms which no longer present a
danger to the public, but evidence shows this is being exploited
for criminal use.
Seven ammunition types will be removed from the definition of
‘antique firearm’, making up to 26,000 guns that use them illegal
to own without a firearms licence.
Policing Minister said:
“Public safety is our top priority and we cannot allow these
dangerous firearms to fall into the wrong hands.
“The UK has some of the toughest gun laws in the world – we will
do everything in our power to make sure it stays that way.”
According to the National Ballistics Intelligence Service, there
has been a sharp rise in the number of antique guns being seized
from crime scenes in recent years.
In 2007 there were four recoveries, which grew to 97 in 2016 and
remain at high levels with 69 recovered in 2019.
Since 2007, six fatalities have been linked to antique firearms.
Existing owners of the firearms that will be affected by these
regulations can apply for a firearm certificate.
They can also sell, deactivate or surrender these firearms ahead
of the law changing, which will take place shortly after
Parliament approves the legislation.
The maximum sentence for the unlawful possession of a firearm is
five years’ imprisonment.
The regulations will be reviewed every three years so that they
reflect any future trends in criminal use and do their job of
keeping the public safe.
The regulations apply across England and Wales. The regulations
apply to Scotland except in respect of air weapons, which is a
devolved matter. The regulations do not apply in Northern Ireland
as firearms policy is devolved.
The Government continues to do everything in its power to protect
the public, including recruiting 20,000 additional police
officers over the next three years, expanding stop and search
powers to take knives off our streets and investing in early
intervention initiatives to support those at risk of exploitation
and involvement in serious violence.
