Firearms Flashcards
What is the definition of a firearm?
A firearm is…
- any lethal barrelled weapon
- a prohibited weapon
- a component in regards to a lethal barrelled weapon or prohibited weapon
- an accessory to a lethal barrelled weapon or prohibited weapon designed to diminish flash or sound of firing
What is a lethal barrelled weapon?
Any weapon capable of discharging a shot, bullet or missile UNDER ITS OWN CAPACITY
- something which is capable of firing with the aid of another article such a clamp or a punch would NOT be such a weapon because this refers to the item itself being the weapon, not something which is capable of doing it when combined with other items
- air pistols, imitation revolvers and starter guns capable of firing flares which can kill have all been held as lethal barrelled (but will not ALWAYS be so)
- ALL PROHIBITED WEAPONS ARE FIREARMS but not all firearms are prohibited
What are components?
- the barrel, chamber or cylinder
- frame, body or receiver
- breech, block, bolt or something capable of containing pressure
- scopes, magazines and furniture are NOT components
What are accessories?
Silencers and flash eliminators are accessories but having one BY ITSELF is not a firearm and would not be an offence in its own right. It must be with the FIREARM IT IS TO BE USED WITH. If it is not, no offence. If it is with a firearm it is not designed to be used with, you must show it was with it to be used with it in some way
What is an air soft gun?
A gun capable of ONLY firing plastic sphere projectiles no more than 8MM in diameter
- if the energy on the weapon exceeds 1.3J (double shot) or 2.5J (single shot) it can still be an offence
How do you know a firearm has been deactivated?
- it bears a mark from one of the approved companies
- there is a certificate in writing that the work has been carried out and it is no longer capable of firing a missile or bullet
- the firearm must always remain whole. If broken up as part of the deactivation, and those parts are capable or being put back together as part of a working firearm then they will be classified as components and an offence
What is ammunition?
Any ammunition for any firearm wether it is capable of being used in any firearm or not. This includes grenades, missiles and bombs
- this does not include the parts for ammunition, they must be fully assembled
What is an imitation firearm?
Anything with the appearance of a firearm wether capable of firing or not
- the firearm must be something separate from the body in order to be “possessed” by the holder and as such holding you fingers like a gun does not count
- the object need only to have the appearance of a firearm and as such needs no alteration, adaption or even look like one
What is a prohibited weapon?
SEE THE LIST ON PAGE 65
- a washing up liquid bottle full of acid is NOT made or adapted and as such not prohibited. The weapon must either be build to discharge or have a physical alteration done to it
- a stun gun is a prohibited weapon and will be one even after it stops working
What is the offence of possession or purchase of a prohibited weapon or ammunition?
Any person who…
- possesses
- purchases
- acquires
…any prohibited weapon or ammunition without authority of the…
- Secretary of State
- Scottish ministers
- a person is in possession of the item is in their custody or control. Even if they pick it up without knowing what it is or what they have (even if it’s inside another item and they have not seen or know it’s there). They can even still be in possession if they pass custody of it to another as long as they have some control over it
What is a S1 firearm?
Any firearm except…
- shotguns
- air weapons
- sawn off shotguns and especially dangerous air weapons do count here
S1 ammunition includes all ammunition except…
- a cartridge with 5+ shot, none of which is bigger than 0.36 inches in diameter
- air weapon ammunition
- blank cartridges no more than 1 inch in diameter
What is the offence of possession of a firearm or ammunition without a certificate?
Any person who…
- possesses
- purchases
- acquires
… a firearm or ammunition without a certificate at the time
- if the firearm is a sawn off shotgun the offence is aggravated and the maximum sentence is 7 years
- ACQUIRE includes hiring, borrowing or accepting as a gift
What is the offence of shortening a barrel?
Any person who shortens the barrel of…
- a smooth bore gun
- a gun with a bore exceeding 2 inches
…to less than 24 INCHES
- firearms dealers are exempt so they can cut off barrels for repairs as long as they have the required length of 24 inches+ at the end
What is a shotgun?
- a smooth bore gun
- has a barrel NOT LESS than 24 INCHES
- a bore NOT EXCEEDING 2 INCHES
- has no magazine or has a non-detachable magazine that holds NO MORE than 2 rounds
- 2 feet, 2 inches 2 cartridges
What is the offence of possession of a shotgun without a certificate?
Any person who
- possess
- purchases
- acquires
…a shotgun without a certificate authorising them to hold one