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Weapons and firearms offences.

Offensive weapons, bladed articles, threatening with a weapon, prohibited weapons and the Firearms Act 1968 offences, plus explosives.

18 offences · points to prove, mode of trial and maximum sentence

Quick reference

OffenceLegislationMode of trialMaximum penalty
Carrying a firearm with criminal intentFirearms Act 1968, s.18Indictable onlyLife imprisonment and/or a fine
Firearms offences by people under 18Firearms Act 1968, s.22Summary onlys.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)
Firing an air weapon beyond premisesFirearms Act 1968, s.21ASummary onlyA fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000)
Having a bladed article or offensive weapon on school or further education premisesCriminal Justice Act 1988, s.139AEither way4 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Having a bladed or pointed article in a public placeCriminal Justice Act 1988, s.139Either way4 years' imprisonment
Having a firearm or imitation firearm in a public placeFirearms Act 1968, s.19Either way (summary only for an air weapon; indictable only for certain prohibited weapons)7 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily; 6 months if an air weapon)
Having an offensive weapon in a public placePrevention of Crime Act 1953, s.1Either way4 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Making or possessing explosives with intentExplosive Substances Act 1883, s.3Indictable onlyLife imprisonment (and the explosive substance is forfeited)
Possessing a firearm without a certificateFirearms Act 1968, s.1Either way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine on indictment (7 years in the aggravated form); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Possessing a prohibited offensive weapon in privateCriminal Justice Act 1988, s.141(1A)Summary only6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine
Possessing a prohibited weaponFirearms Act 1968, s.5Indictable only for s.5(1)(a), (ab), (aba), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ba) and (c) and s.5(1A)(a); either way for s.5(1)(b) and s.5(1A)(b) to (g)10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily, where triable either way)
Possessing a shotgun without a certificateFirearms Act 1968, s.2Either way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Possession of a firearm by a person previously convictedFirearms Act 1968, s.21Either way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violenceFirearms Act 1968, s.16AIndictable only10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine
Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger lifeFirearms Act 1968, s.16Indictable onlyLife imprisonment and/or a fine
Selling a knife or bladed article to a person under 18Criminal Justice Act 1988, s.141ASummary only6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine
Threatening with an offensive weapon in a public placePrevention of Crime Act 1953, s.1AEither way4 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Trespassing with a firearm in a building or on landFirearms Act 1968, s.20Building (s.20(1)): either way (summary only for an imitation firearm or air weapon; indictable only for certain prohibited weapons). Land (s.20(2)): summary onlyBuilding: 7 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily; 6 months if an imitation firearm or air weapon). Land: 3 months' imprisonment and/or a level 4 fine

Tap an offence for the numbered points to prove, key definitions, defences and case law.

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