| SECTION 24 FIREARMS ACT 1968 - FULLY AMENDED |
Section 24 - Supplying firearms to minors
-
It is an offence to sell or let on hire any firearm or ammunition to
a person under the age of seventeen.
- It is an offence—
(a) to make a gift of or lend any firearm or ammunition to which section
1 of this Act applies to a person under the age of fourteen; or
(b) to part with the possession of any such firearm or ammunition
to a person under that age, except in circumstances where that person
is entitled under
section 11(1), (3) or (4) of this Act [F1 or
section 15 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988] to have possession thereof without holding
a firearm certificate.
- It is an offence to make a gift of a shot gun or ammunition for
a shot gun to a person under the age of fifteen.
- It is an offence—
(a) to make a gift of an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon
to a person under the age of [F2 seventeen] ; or
(b) to part with the possession of an air weapon or ammunition for
an air weapon to a person under [F3 the
age of seventeen] except
where by virtue
of section 23 of this Act the person is not prohibited from having
it with him.
- In proceedings for an offence under any provision of this section
it is a defence to prove that the person charged with the offence
believed
the other person to be of or over the age mentioned in that provision
and had reasonable ground for the belief.
Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F1 Words inserted by Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45, SIF 51:1),
s. 23(4)
F2 Word in s. 24(4)(a) substituted (20.1.2004) by Anti-social Behaviour
Act 2003 (2003 c. 38), ss. 38(4)(a), 93; S.I. 2003/3300, art. 2
F3 Words in s. 24(4)(b) substituted (20.1.2004) by Anti-social Behaviour
Act 2003 (2003 c. 38), ss. 38(4)(b), 93; S.I. 2003/3300, art. 2
| CAN A YOUNG PERSON... |
UNDER 18 |
UNDER 17 |
UNDER 15 |
UNDER 14 |
| Purchase an firearm or ammunition |
Yes (except air rifle, air gun or air pistol) |
No |
No |
No |
| Possess a Section 1 Firearm |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No (See exemptions 1,2 & 3 below) |
| Receive a Section 1 firearm as a gift |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Possess an assemble shotgun |
Yes |
Yes |
No (See exemptions 4 & 5 below) |
No (See exemptions 4 & 5 below) |
| Receive a shotgun as a gift |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Possess an Air Weapon |
No (See exemptions 2,3,4 & 6 below) |
No (See exemptions 2,3,4 & 6 below) |
No (See exemptions 2,3,4 & 6 below) |
No (See exemptions 2,3 & 4 below) |
| Receive an air weapon as a gift |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Possess an air weapon in a public place |
No (See exemptions 2 & 4 below) |
No (See exemptions 2 & 4 below) |
No (See exemptions 2 & 4 below) |
No (See exemptions 2 & 4 below) |
Exemptions:
(1) If only carrying on behalf of a certificate holder for sporting purposes.
(2) When part of an approved club or cadet corps.
(3) On a Miniature Rifle Range.
(4) Under the supervision of someone over 21 years old.
(5) When firearm is in a secure gun cover.
(6) Unless on private property with permission of the land owner. It
is an offence for someone under this exemption to fire any missile beyond
the boundary of the premises unless with permission of the adjacent land
owner.
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