Firearms Act 1968

The principal statute regulating the possession, purchase, sale, and transfer of firearms and ammunition in Great Britain. It establishes a licensing regime for firearms and shotguns, creates a range of firearms offences, and gives police powers to search for and seize firearms. The Act has been amended numerous times, most significantly by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 following the Hungerford massacre.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: prohibition on possession of Section 1 firearms without a firearm certificate
• Section 2: prohibition on possession of shotguns without a shotgun certificate
• Section 5: prohibition on possession of prohibited weapons (automatic weapons, rocket launchers, etc)
• Section 16: offence of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life
• Section 17: offence of using firearm to resist arrest
• Section 18: offence of carrying firearm with intent to commit an offence
• Section 19: offence of carrying firearm in a public place
• Section 47: power of constable to stop and search for firearms
• Section 46: power of search with warrant
• Section 2A: offence of possessing a relevant accessory (one designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing a section 1 firearm) without a firearm or shot gun certificate, inserted by Crime and Policing Act 2026 s.44 from 29 June 2026

Relevance to Policing

Relevant to officers dealing with firearms incidents, to those applying for or holding firearms certificates, and to anyone charged with a firearms offence.

Updated 16 October 2026: section 2A (possession of a relevant accessory, one designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing a section 1 firearm, without a firearm or shot gun certificate; summary, fine of level 3) was inserted and section 57(1)(d) omitted by Crime and Policing Act 2026 s.44, in force 29 June 2026 (SI 2026/689, reg 2(1)(f)). Section 46 is the power of search with warrant; section 48 is production of certificates.