Weapons and Armourers
Common Questions

Common Questions

Why do I need to use an armourer?
The BBC activities must comply with the law and the legal requirement is Firearms must be under the control of an armourer, registered firearms dealer or the holder of the firearms certificate or shotgun licence. Police or members of the Armed forces or the licence holder of an organised event (Gun Club).

There can be exceptions for de activated weapons or replicas as part of a risk assessment but this must involve BBC Safety.

What is all the talk about new gun legislation?
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 has made a number of changes that affect firearms legislation, full details of which can be found on the Metropolitan Police web site.

What are blank firing weapons?
Blank firing weapons generally fall into two different categories -

Those not requiring certification:
These are imitation firearms, not readily convertible into a firearm to which section 1 of the 1968 Act, as mended, applies. These "firearms" are not firearms within the definition of section 57 (1) of that Act, and therefore are not required to be held on a certificate.

Such weapons are capable of firing, or capable of being adapted or converted to fire, blank ammunition. With blank ammunition no shot, bullet or other missile is discharged from the barrel - you just get a "bang" and maybe a puff of smoke.

Such weapons are often used in battle re-inactments, theatre and TV productions and for starting races.

Exemption from the certification procedures does not automatically exempt such a firearm from all the other provisions of the Act, the application of which should be considered separately.
Those requiring certification:
These include -
(a) those firearms to which section 1 of the 1968 Act applies, and
(b) those firearms to which section 2 of the 1968 Act applies, and
(c) those firearms to which section 1 of the 1982 Act applies.

With regard to (a) above - these firearms are "real" firearms such as rifles and handguns which are not subject to section 5, (see "prohibited weapons").

With regard to (b) above - these are conventional shotguns, (but not semi-automatic or pump-action shotguns with a magazine capable of holding more than two cartridges), and include smooth bore muskets.

With regard to (c) above - these are imitation firearms readily convertible into firearms to which section 1 of the 1968 Act applies.

All the above three types of firearms can be made, adapted or converted to fire blank ammunition, but would require to be held on a certificate.

Blank ammunition:
Section 1 (1) (b) of the 1968 Act requires that ammunition to which that section applies can only be possessed, purchased or acquired by a person authorised by a certificate.

However, section 1 (4) (c) exempts blank cartridges not more than one inch in diameter, measured immediately in front of the rim or cannelure of the base of the cartridge, from this requirement.

What are deactivated weapons?
Deactivated weapons are any firearms which have been converted, in such a manner that they can no longer discharge any shot, bullet or other missile. More importantly, deactivation is intended to be permanent and such firearms should be incapable of being reactivated without specialist tools or skills.

Deactivation work carried out in the UK since 1st July 1989 will generally have been endorsed by one of the Proof Houses, the weapon proof-marked and a certificate of deactivation issued. To these ends, any weapon, even a prohibited weapon such as a machine gun, can be deactivated. The outcome is that the weapon is no longer a firearm within the meaning of the Firearms Acts, and consequently may be possessed without a firearm or shotgun certificate and may be displayed in the owner's home, rather than be locked in a gun cabinet.

Deactivation of a firearm is not something to be undertaken by the layman. There are stringent requirements before a weapon can be proofed as deactivated and such work is best left to a gunsmith. A Registered Firearms Dealer is the best person to speak to if you require a weapon to be deactivated. He can make all the necessary arrangements for you, including deactivation of the weapon and getting it proofed.

Although the above references to proofing and certification do not preclude the possibility that a firearm which has been deactivated in some other way may also have ceased to be a firearm within the meaning of the 1968 Act (as amended), it is important that care is taken when acquiring any firearm which is described as deactivated. You should ensure that you are shown the Proof House mark and certificate issued in respect of any gun deactivated in the UK since 1st July 1989.

Can anyone get a firearms certificate or can it be revoked?
All applications are subjected to standard checks with Local Police force, Criminal Intelligence and other police or government departments.

Firearms applications must be supported by two referees and shotgun applications must be countersigned. All applicants are visited by the FEO (Firearms Enquiry Officer), to establish their bona fides

A firearm certificate can be revoked if the holder is:

of intemperate habits;
of unsound mind;
unfit to be entrusted with such a firearm;
no longer has good reason for possession;
a danger to the public safety or to the peace.

Weapons and Armourers Common Questions

Weapons and Armourers
Common Questions