Firearms offences by people under 18

s.22Firearms Act 1968

A group of offences restricting young people from buying or hiring firearms and ammunition and from having shot guns, air weapons and other firearms.

Firearms offences by people under 18 · Firearms Act 1968, s.22Card 84 / 195

Points to prove

s.22(1)A person under 18 purchased or hired any firearm or ammunition
s.22(2)A person under 14 had in their possession a s.1 firearm or ammunition, other than where s.11(1), (3) or (4) or s.15 Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 entitles them to
s.22(3)A person under 15 had with them an assembled shot gun, except while supervised by a person aged 21 or over, or while the gun is in a securely fastened gun cover so that it cannot be fired
s.22(4)A person under 18 had with them an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon (subject to the exceptions in s.23)

Key definitions

Firearm – s.57(1): a lethal barrelled weapon, a prohibited weapon or a relevant component part of either. It includes air weapons and shot guns.
Section 1 firearm – a firearm that needs a firearm certificate, such as a rifle. Shot guns and most air weapons are outside s.1.
Assembled – a shot gun put together so that it is capable of being fired.

Defences

Exceptions to s.22(4) (air weapons), under s.23:

Supervision – while supervised by a person aged 21 or over.
Clubs and galleries – as a member of an approved rifle club engaged in target shooting, or at a shooting gallery where only air weapons or .22 rim-fire rifles are used.
Private premises – a person aged 14 or over on private premises with the consent of the occupier.

Good to know

Offences by the supplier: s.24 (selling or hiring a firearm or ammunition to a person under 18), s.24ZA (failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent a person under 18 having an air weapon) and s.24A (imitation firearms).
Under-18s firing beyond the premises commit the s.21A offence. Their adult supervisor may commit an offence under s.23(1).
On conviction under s.22(4) the court may order forfeiture or disposal of the air weapon or ammunition and of any firearm or ammunition found in their possession (Sch 6, Part II, paras 7 and 8). For s.22(3), para 8 applies.
All summary only. s.22(3) and (4) have the usual 6-month time limit. For s.22(1) and (2), s.51(4) allows proceedings up to 4 years after the offence, but after 6 months only if brought by or at the direction of the DPP.

Legislation: Firearms Act 1968, s.22 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Mode of trial: Summary only
Maximum penalty: s.22(1) and (2): 6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (3 months for s.22(1) where a 17-year-old buys or hires a firearm or ammunition other than an air weapon or its ammunition). s.22(3) and (4): a fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000)
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Firearms offences by people under 18: questions people ask

What are the points to prove for firearms offences by people under 18?

1. A person under 18 purchased or hired any firearm or ammunition 2. A person under 14 had in their possession a s.1 firearm or ammunition, other than where s.11(1), (3) or (4) or s.15 Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 entitles them to 3. A person under 15 had with them an assembled shot gun, except while supervised by a person aged 21 or over, or while the gun is in a securely fastened gun cover so that it cannot be fired 4. A person under 18 had with them an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon (subject to the exceptions in s.23)

What is the maximum sentence for firearms offences by people under 18?

S.22(1) and (2): 6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (3 months for s.22(1) where a 17-year-old buys or hires a firearm or ammunition other than an air weapon or its ammunition). s.22(3) and (4): a fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000)

Is firearms offences by people under 18 a summary, either-way or indictable offence?

Firearms offences by people under 18 is a summary-only offence: it is tried in the magistrates’ court.

What Act and section is firearms offences by people under 18?

Firearms offences by people under 18 is an offence under the Firearms Act 1968, s.22.

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