Arms Act 1983 - Firearms & Licences

Question 1

What is the definition of:

- Air gun

Answer 1

• Air Gun
• Air Rifle
• Air Pistol
• Weapon from which, by use of gas or compressed air (and not by force of explosive) any shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile can be discharged.

Question 2

What is the definition of:

- Pistol

Answer 2

• Pistol
• Means any fire arm that is designed or adapted:
  
  • to be held and fired with one hand and includes any fire arm that is less than 762mmm in length.

Question 3

Who may lawfully possess a:

• Firearm
• Air gun
• MSSA
• Pistol

Answer 3

Fire arms Licence Categories:
- Firearm : Category A and including BCDE catergories
- Air Gun : 16 - 18 years of age with a firearms licence (Category A)
: over 18 years of age without a firearms licence
- MSSA : Category A plus E category licence
- Pistol : Category A plus B category licence

Question 4

What are the legal requirements placed on a Firearms Licence holder?

Answer 4

Licence holders must:

• Must keep licence legible and undamaged
• Produce it to police on demand or produce within 7 days.
• Notify change of address within 30 days
• Report circumstances of theft, loss or destruction of a firearm to police in writing.
• If death or serious injury occurs from the use of a firearm, report to police as soon as practicable.

Question 5

How is a firearms licence obtained?

Answer 5

• Applicant must be over 16yo (16-18 requires parental permission)
• Application lodged with police
• Police conduct inquiries on applicants suitability.
• Applicant Sits and passes firearms test
• Licence issued.

Question 6

How long does a fire arms licence last?

Answer 6

• Firearms licences must be renewed every 10years

Question 7

Which Fire Arms licence categories relate to which type of firearm?

Answer 7

A - Full licence for conventional firearms
B - Pistols, providing owner is a member of a pistol club
C - Collections/Restricted Weapons/use of weapons in theatrical performances
D - Firearms dealers
E - Military style semi-automatic firearms.

Question 8

What is the definition of:

- MSSA

Answer 8

• A firearm that after being loaded fires, ejects and chambers a cartridge with each pull of the trigger.
• and must have one of the following
  = folding or telescopic butt
  = bayonet lugs
  = flash supressor
  = free standing pistol grip
  = magazine capable of holding 15 .22 rounds or 7 of any other calibre

Question 9

What is the definition of:

- Firearm

Answer 9

• Firearm:
• Anything from which any shot, bullet, missile or other projectile can be discharged ‘by force of explosive’ and includes:
• Anything adapted to discharge any shot, bullet, missile or other projectile can be discharged ‘by force of explosive’
• Anything not capable of discharging any shot, bullet, missile or other projectile, but by it’s completion, replacement of components or the correction/repair of any defects would be a firearm.
• Anything (otherwise being a firearm) which is for the time being dismantled or partially dismantled.
• Any especially dangerous airgun