The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 received royal assent in November 2006. This page aims to provide clarification of complex issues in detail. For further information call BASC’s Firearms Department on 01244-573010
NEW - ACPO & BASC Guide to the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 - NEW
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Implemented on 6th April 2007
Section 35 – Relating to the sale and purchase of ammunition primers for metallic ammunition (see fact sheet “Shotgun Cartridges and Primers” below)
Section 31 (3) – This section allows those selling airguns by way of trade or business to apply to be registered as a firearms dealer. The remainder of Section 31which includes the restriction of trade air gun sales to RFDs, will commence on the 1st October. (See fact sheet “Registration as a firearms dealer - FAQs” below)
Implemented on 1st October 2007
The remainder of Section 31 i.e. restricting sales of air weapons by way of trade or business to Registered Firearms Dealers (RFD’s) only. This section will mean that the completion of RFD applications for air gun sales may be completed by the police.
Sections 32-34 –
• RFD airgun sales will have to take place face-to-face with both the buyer and seller present.
• The age at which air guns are possessed and purchased will be raised from 17 to 18 years of age (See BASC’s Air rifle code of practice below)
• It will be an offence for anybody to fire an air pellet beyond the boundary of the premises where they have permission to shoot.
Sections 36 - 40 – Bans the manufacture, import and sale of imitation firearms except where exemptions are provided in regulations (yet to be published). From October 1st 2007 it will be an offence to:
• Manufacture a realistic imitation firearm.
• Modify an imitation firearm so it becomes a realistic imitation firearm.
• Sell a realistic imitation firearm.
•Bring a realistic imitation firearm in to Great Britain or cause one to be brought in to Great Britain.
• It will be an offence to import or manufacture an imitation firearm which does not conform to specifications which will be set out in Regulations (yet to be published).
• It will be an offence for a person under the age of 18 to purchase an imitation firearm; likewise it will also be an offence to sell an imitation firearm to a person under the age of 18.
Section 41 – Increases the maximum sentence for possessing and imitation firearm in a public place without a reasonable excuse
Sections 43- 44 - The age at which a person may buy or be sold a crossbow (over a certain power) or a knife will be raised from 17 to 18 years of age (see fact sheets “Crossbows” & “Knives” below)
Section 51 – Sets out the corresponding firearms provisions for Northern Ireland. These vary from England, Scotland & Wales as Northern Ireland firearms laws have always been very different, separate guidance will be available about the Northern Ireland provisions of this Act shortly.
BASC will continue to liaise closely with the Home Office and will update this page when new information becomes available.
Violent Crime Reduction Act (Office of Public Sector Information website)
Explanatory Note to the Act (Office of Public Sector Information website)
Home Office guidance changes coming into effect on the 6th April 2007
Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2007
Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (Realistic Imitation Firearms) Regulations 2007
(Office of Public Sector Information website)
Realistic Imitation Firearms Regulations Explanatory Memorandum
(Office of Public Sector Information website)
Home Office guidance on 1st October firearms measures
Northern Ireland Office guidance on Realistic Imitation Firearms
Sale of imitation firearms in Northern Ireland
Shotgun Cartridges and Primers
BASC Air Rifle Code of Practice
Crossbows
Knives
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