I wish to apply for a firearms/shotgun certificate. How do I go about this? |
The Firearms Licensing Department can send these forms out to you. There is also a full range of forms, which can be downloaded from the force website, with comprehensive guidance notes for completion. These can be filled out and posted to Firearms Licensing Department, Lothian and Borders Police Headquarters, Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 1RB.
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| I am going to be visiting the UK, and I am looking for a Visitor’s Certificate. How do I get it? |
Application is made via a ‘sponsor’. The only criteria to act as a sponsor is to be of good character, and it is not necessary to be firearm certificate holder. The issuing police force will only deal with the sponsor, and regardless of where the visitor wishes to shoot, it is the Force where the sponsor resides that is responsible for issuing the certificate. The application for the certificate is made by the sponsor and should be accompanied by the appropriate fee, an original European Firearms pass if the permit is requested by an EEC resident (a copy is not acceptable), or a copy of the visitor's hunting permit valid in their home country or Certificate of Good Conduct - available from the visitor's home police/sheriff department.
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| I am an auctioneer. How much will a temporary permit cost me? |
There is no charge for a temporary permit, in this instance.
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| I am looking to take/move firearms to Northern Ireland. How do I go about this? Will it cost me anything? |
This is service is free to firearm certificate holders and registered firearms dealers. This process is called Movement of Arms to Northern Ireland. An application must be submitted and authority obtained before the weapon in question can be moved. This process can take up to a month as the application form, after being submitted to the force, has then to go to the Police Service of Northern Ireland for their approval, then returned to the force who will issue the applicant with the appropriate authorisation.
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| How long before my firearms/shotgun certificate expires should I apply for a new one? Are Lothian and Borders police obliged to send me a renewal notice? |
It is recommended that you apply to renew your certificate 3 months prior to it running out. The onus is on the certificate holder to renew. Lothian and Borders Police will send out a reminder, but are not obliged to do this.
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| I have just moved house. How do I update my certificate? |
Notification of change of address must be put in writing and sent to the Firearms Licensing Department, Lothian and Borders Police Headquarters, Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 1RB.
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| What is the minimum age that a person can be legally given an air weapon? |
It is an offence to give an air weapon, or ammunition for it, to a person under 17 years of age. It is not an offence for that young person to receive it.
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| Under the new legislation, what exceptions are there for a child under 17 to possess an air weapon? |
It is an offence for a person under 17 years old to be in possession of an air weapon, or ammunition for it, except a) as a member of an approved club for target shooting, b) whilst at a shooting gallery where only air weapons or miniature rifles not exceeding .23 calibre are used, c) whilst shooting under the supervision of a person aged 21 years or over, on private premises, including land, provided the missile is not fired beyond those premises, d) from the age of 14 years old, whilst on private premises with the consent of the owner.
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| What is the minimum age for a child to have an air weapon in a public place? |
It is an offence for a person under 17 years of age to be in possession of an air pistol in any public place. A public place means any highway or place or premises to which, at the material time, the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise. You may not have an airgun in a public place without proper reason. An airgun is deemed as loaded if there is a pellet, dart or anything else in the gun or magazine, whether cocked or not.
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