The powers library06 of 59 Stop and search

Firearms stop and search

s.47Firearms Act 1968

A constable who reasonably suspects a person has a firearm in a public place, or is committing or about to commit a s.18 or s.20 firearms offence elsewhere, may require them to hand it over, search and detain them, search vehicles and enter any place to do so.

Firearms stop and search · Firearms Act 1968, s.47Card 06 / 59

When you can use it

s.47(1)(a), (3)Reasonable cause to suspect the person has a firearm (with or without ammunition) with them in a public place, or
s.47(1)(b), (3)Reasonable cause to suspect the person is committing or about to commit, somewhere other than a public place, an offence under s.18(1), s.18(2) or s.20
s.47(4)For a vehicle, reasonable cause to suspect there is a firearm in it in a public place, or that it is being or is about to be used in connection with a s.18 or s.20 offence elsewhere
Code A 2.2The suspicion is genuinely held and objectively reasonable, based on information, intelligence or the person's behaviour
PACE s.2(2)–(3)Before searching, reasonable steps taken to give the required information, and warrant card shown if not in uniform

What it allows

Require the person to hand over the firearm or any ammunition for examination (s.47(1)).
Search the person, and detain them for that purpose (s.47(3)).
Search the vehicle, and require the driver or person in control to stop it (s.47(4)).
Enter any place to exercise these powers (s.47(5)).

Key definitions

Firearm – s.57(1): a lethal barrelled weapon (more than one joule of muzzle energy), a prohibited weapon, or a relevant component part such as a barrel, frame or bolt. Airsoft guns are excluded (s.57A).
Ammunition – s.57(2): ammunition for any firearm, including grenades, bombs and similar missiles.
Public place – s.57(4): includes any highway and any premises or place the public have, or are permitted to have, access to at the time, whether on payment or otherwise.
Relevant offences – s.47(6): s.18 (firearm or imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence or resist arrest) and s.20 (trespassing in a building or on land with a firearm or imitation firearm).

Safeguards

GO WISELY – PACE s.2(3) and Code A 3.8: tell the person they are detained for a search, your name and station, the power, the object, the grounds, and that they can have a copy of the record within 3 months.
Keep detention reasonable and as short as possible (Code A 3.3).
In public, no power to make a person remove more than an outer coat, jacket or gloves (PACE s.2(9)(a), Code A 3.5).
Record the search on the spot, or as soon as practicable, unless wholly impracticable (PACE s.3, Code A 4.1).
An officer not in uniform cannot stop a vehicle (PACE s.2(9)(b)).

Good to know

Failing to hand over a firearm or ammunition when required is an offence (s.47(2)). It is summary only: 3 months’ imprisonment and/or a level 4 fine (Sch.6).
Exam trap: the public place limb refers to a firearm, not an imitation. Even a readily convertible imitation is not treated as a firearm for s.47 (Firearms Act 1982, s.2(2)–(3)). Imitation firearms feature only in the s.18 and s.20 offences behind the private place limb.
Code A Annex A lists s.47, so Code A applies in full.
Separately, s.48 lets a constable demand a firearm or shot gun certificate from anyone believed to possess a s.1 firearm, s.1 ammunition or a shot gun.

Legislation: Firearms Act 1968, s.47 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: A constable
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Firearms stop and search: questions people ask

When can the police use firearms stop and search?

1. Reasonable cause to suspect the person has a firearm (with or without ammunition) with them in a public place, or 2. Reasonable cause to suspect the person is committing or about to commit, somewhere other than a public place, an offence under s.18(1), s.18(2) or s.20 3. For a vehicle, reasonable cause to suspect there is a firearm in it in a public place, or that it is being or is about to be used in connection with a s.18 or s.20 offence elsewhere 4. The suspicion is genuinely held and objectively reasonable, based on information, intelligence or the person's behaviour 5. Before searching, reasonable steps taken to give the required information, and warrant card shown if not in uniform

Who can use firearms stop and search?

A constable.

What law gives the power for firearms stop and search?

Firearms Act 1968, s.47.

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