Firearms Law Notes - lect 13
Maths Assignment Reminder
Maths assignments are live, submit before the deadline.
There are long calculations, so double-check answers.
Lab Schedule
Labs start next week.
Ballistics lab handbook available by the end of this week.
Lab schedule will be posted.
Ballistics labs are every other week, analytical labs are every week.
Section One Firearms
Covers single shot mechanism firearms like bolt action rifles and target rifles.
Barrel longer than 30cm, overall length longer than 60cm.
Single shot mechanisms are important.
If the barrel is too short, or overall length is shorter than specified, it is not section one.
It would be considered a concealed firearm, which is a section five prohibited weapon.
Caveat: Rifles in .22 inches caliber for rimfire ammunition can have a semi-automatic or pump action mechanism.
This applies specifically to rimfire, not centerfire.
Lengths: Movable buttstocks are measured when folded to their shortest length.
Muzzle-loading guns are also included (mentioned in previous lecture).
Section Two Firearms (Shotguns)
Shotguns have a very specific definition.
When classifying weapons, it's best to start with section two.
A shotgun is a smoothbore gun not being an airgun.
Smoothbore means the inside of the barrel doesn't have rifling.
If it's a rifled barrel, it's section one.
If it's an air gun, it's not a shotgun, it may be section one or five, or not under the act at all.
Air weapons are tested to be "specially dangerous".
All of the following must be true:
Barrel not less than 24 inches in length.
Inside diameter of the barrel not exceeding two inches.
Either has no magazine, or a non-detachable magazine incapable of holding more than two cartridges.
Not a revolver gun.
If it doesn't meet all criteria, it's not a shotgun.
Traditional Shotguns
Typically single or double barreled.
Different configurations: side by side, or over and under barrels.
Box lock mechanism, allows the barrels and chamber to pivot about the buttstock.
If a firearm meets all criteria except having a larger magazine capacity, it could be classified as section one.
Shotgun license is different from section one firearm certificate.
If you want to fire shotgun ammunition with large projectiles (solid slug or few large shots - less than 5), it is classified as section one. You need both section one and two certificates.
Typically, people prefer lots of small shot for clay pigeon shooting and game shooting.
The Definition of Shotgun
Smoothbore.
Barrel greater than 24 inches.
Inside diameter less than 2 inches.
Non-detachable magazine with no more than two rounds.
Not a revolver.
Section Five Firearms (Prohibited Weapons)
Everything else not classified, or unclassified completely.
Military and police hardware that the public doesn't need.
Automatic firing weapons, handguns, anti-tank rockets, grenade launchers, missiles, and torpedoes.
Semi-automatic weapons, except those chambered in .22 rimfire.
Firearms disguised to look like other objects.
Prohibited ammunition: armor-piercing, incendiary, and explosive.
No legitimate reason to possess these.
Privileged weapons include any firearm which is so designed or adapted that two or more missiles can be successively discharged without repeated pressure on the trigger.
Barrel less than 30 centimeters in length, or is less than 60 centimeters overall is prohibited.
Rocket launcher or mortar designed for line throwing or pyrotechnic purposes are generally allowed.
Types of Section Five Weapons
Missile launches, military mortars, grenade launchers, military automatic weapons.
Surface to air missiles.
Armor piercing ammunition with a steel or tungsten carbide core.
Tracer ammunition that emits a pyrotechnic to see where it's going.
Incendiary and explosive ammunition that explodes or catches fire upon impact.
Shotgun revolver is not allowed.
Folding buttstocks reduce the overall length of the weapon, so anything under length measurement limitations are measured folded.
Bump stock: a spring mechanism in the stock which bounces the weapon back and forth on finger, which results in automatic fire out of a semi-automatic mechanism.
Other Prohibited Items
Noxious substances and tasers.
Cartridges with bullets designed to explode on or immediately before impact.
Ammunition containing or designed to contain any such noxious thing.
Grenades, bombs, or other like missile or rocket or shell design.
Tear gas grenades.
Classic umbrella gun, cane gun, pen gun, and a nine millimeter Glock modified to look like a power drill are prohibited weapons because they are disguised to look like other objects.
Special Exemptions
Police permits are issued by the Chief Police Officer for the area.
Authorised dealing with firearms: registered firearms dealers may sell, buy, fix, test, maintain, and prove firearms.
They may need a section five authority from the home office to have prohibited firearms.
Registered ballistic experts/practitioners can use firearms as part of any work or consultancy.
Obtaining a Section Five Authority
Apply for registered firearms dealership through the police, then apply to the home office for section five authority.
Requires showing business need and experience.
The Home Office assesses the need for each subsection of Section five.
Other Exemptions & Special Cases
Carriers and auctioneers: Special permissions to transit weapons, but not use them.
Source of animals: Special license with restrictions.
Sports and athletics: Special licenses for starting guns, clay pigeon ranges, and leasing guns.
Air Weapons
Air weapons that are deemed specially dangerous have a muzzle energy in excess of specified limits.
Different mechanisms: spring charge/mechanism, pre-charge pneumatic, or CO2 bulbs.
Length designations apply to air weapons to determine if it's an air pistol or air rifle.
If the barrel is less than 30cm, it will be an air pistol, if it's above 30cm, it will be an air rifle.
Six foot pounds is the legal limit for air pistols (8.1 joules).
12 foot pounds is the legal limit for air rifles (16.3 Joules).
Ammunition, the pellets for air weapons, are not classified at all. You can just purchase those in general, without any certification.
$(1 \textrm{ foot pound} = 1.3558 \textrm{ joules})
Air Weapon Age Restrictions
Over 18 can purchase a weapon that's not specially dangerous.
14 to 17 cannot buy or personally own, but can use them on private land without supervision.
Under 14 cannot buy, but can use them on private land with permission and under supervision.
No Certificate Required
Air or gas operated rifles less than 12 foot pounds, and air pistols less than six foot pounds.
Deactivated firearms.
Shotgun ammunition containing five or more shots.
Decorative items like key rings or cufflinks.
Maths Assignment Reminder
Maths assignments are live, submit before the deadline. Check the university's online portal for specific submission guidelines and late submission policies.
There are long calculations, so double-check answers. Use a calculator and review each step to minimize errors.
Lab Schedule
Labs start next week. Confirm your lab timings and group allocation from the university website or notice board.
Ballistics lab handbook available by the end of this week. Download it from the university's online platform and review the experiments.
Lab schedule will be posted. Keep an eye on the official announcements for the detailed lab schedule, including dates and topics.
Ballistics labs are every other week, analytical labs are every week. Plan accordingly to manage your workload effectively.
Section One Firearms
Covers single shot mechanism firearms like bolt action rifles and target rifles. These firearms require manual reloading after each shot.
Barrel longer than 30cm, overall length longer than 60cm. Ensure these dimensions are met to classify as section one.
Single shot mechanisms are important. The defining feature of section one firearms is their single-shot capability without automatic reloading.
If the barrel is too short, or overall length is shorter than specified, it is not section one. Any firearm not meeting these length requirements is classified differently.
It would be considered a concealed firearm, which is a section five prohibited weapon. Concealed firearms are illegal and fall under the most restrictive category.
Caveat: Rifles in .22 inches caliber for rimfire ammunition can have a semi-automatic or pump action mechanism. This exception applies only to .22 rimfire rifles, allowing greater firing rates.
This applies specifically to rimfire, not centerfire. Centerfire ammunition does not have this exception, and semi-automatic or pump-action versions are prohibited.
Lengths: Movable buttstocks are measured when folded to their shortest length. This ensures consistent measurement regardless of the stock's configuration.
Muzzle-loading guns are also included (mentioned in previous lecture). These are considered section one firearms due to their single-shot, manually loaded nature.
Section Two Firearms (Shotguns)
Shotguns have a very specific definition. Understanding this definition is crucial for proper classification.
When classifying weapons, it's best to start with section two. This helps narrow down the possibilities before considering other firearm categories.
A shotgun is a smoothbore gun not being an airgun.
Smoothbore means the inside of the barrel doesn't have rifling. The absence of rifling is a key characteristic.
If it's a rifled barrel, it's section one. Rifled barrels are found in section one firearms, designed for greater accuracy.
If it's an air gun, it's not a shotgun, it may be section one or five, or not under the act at all. Air guns are categorized separately based on their power and design.
Air weapons are tested to be "specially dangerous". This categorizes high-powered air weapons differently from standard air guns.
All of the following must be true:
Barrel not less than 24 inches in length. This minimum length ensures they aren't easily concealed.
Inside diameter of the barrel not exceeding two inches. This limits the size and power of the projectiles.
Either has no magazine, or a non-detachable magazine incapable of holding more than two cartridges. This restriction limits the firing rate and capacity.
Not a revolver gun. Revolver-style shotguns are prohibited.
If it doesn't meet all criteria, it's not a shotgun. All requirements must be met to classify as a section two firearm.
Traditional Shotguns
Typically single or double barreled. These configurations are common for hunting and sport shooting.
Different configurations: side by side, or over and under barrels. Each offers different balance and aiming characteristics.
Box lock mechanism, allows the barrels and chamber to pivot about the buttstock. This facilitates easy loading and unloading.
If a firearm meets all criteria except having a larger magazine capacity, it could be classified as section one. Exceeding magazine capacity moves it to a different category.
Shotgun license is different from section one firearm certificate. Requires specific training and checks.
If you want to fire shotgun ammunition with large projectiles (solid slug or few large shots - less than 5), it is classified as section one. You need both section one and two certificates. Using slugs requires a section one certificate due to the increased power and range.
Typically, people prefer lots of small shot for clay pigeon shooting and game shooting. This is more suitable for hitting moving targets.
The Definition of Shotgun
Smoothbore. No rifling inside the barrel.
Barrel greater than 24 inches. Minimum barrel length requirement.
Inside diameter less than 2 inches. Maximum bore diameter.
Non-detachable magazine with no more than two rounds. Magazine capacity limitation.
Not a revolver. Revolver shotguns are prohibited.
Section Five Firearms (Prohibited Weapons)
Everything else not classified, or unclassified completely. This category covers highly restricted firearms.
Military and police hardware that the public doesn't need. Includes weapons designed for combat and law enforcement.
Automatic firing weapons, handguns, anti-tank rockets, grenade launchers, missiles, and torpedoes. These are deemed too dangerous for civilian ownership.
Semi-automatic weapons, except those chambered in .22 rimfire. The .22 rimfire exception allows for sport and target shooting.
Firearms disguised to look like other objects. Such as pen guns or umbrella guns.
Prohibited ammunition: armor-piercing, incendiary, and explosive. These types of ammo pose extreme risks.
No legitimate reason to possess these. The lack of legitimate use justifies their prohibition.
Privileged weapons include any firearm which is so designed or adapted that two or more missiles can be successively discharged without repeated pressure on the trigger. Automatic weapons are included in this category.
Barrel less than 30 centimeters in length, or is less than 60 centimeters overall is prohibited. Short-barreled weapons are more easily concealed.
Rocket launcher or mortar designed for line throwing or pyrotechnic purposes are generally allowed. These have specific, non-offensive applications.
Types of Section Five Weapons
Missile launches, military mortars, grenade launchers, military automatic weapons. Designed for military use.
Surface to air missiles. Extremely dangerous and highly regulated.
Armor piercing ammunition with a steel or tungsten carbide core. Capable of penetrating armored targets.
Tracer ammunition that emits a pyrotechnic to see where it's going. Used by the military to correct aim.
Incendiary and explosive ammunition that explodes or catches fire upon impact. Highly destructive.
Shotgun revolver is not allowed. Prohibited due to its design and potential for rapid firing.
Folding buttstocks reduce the overall length of the weapon, so anything under length measurement limitations are measured folded. This prevents circumvention of length restrictions.
Bump stock: a spring mechanism in the stock which bounces the weapon back and forth on finger, which results in automatic fire out of a semi-automatic mechanism. Results in automatic fire.
Other Prohibited Items
Noxious substances and tasers. Considered non-lethal but still restricted.
Cartridges with bullets designed to explode on or immediately before impact. Poses extreme risks.
Ammunition containing or designed to contain any such noxious thing. Includes chemical or biological agents.
Grenades, bombs, or other like missile or rocket or shell design. Designed for causing maximum damage.
Tear gas grenades. Used for crowd control but restricted.
Classic umbrella gun, cane gun, pen gun, and a nine millimeter Glock modified to look like a power drill are prohibited weapons because they are disguised to look like other objects. This is due to their concealability and potential for misuse.
Special Exemptions
Police permits are issued by the Chief Police Officer for the area. Allows law enforcement to possess and use restricted firearms.
Authorised dealing with firearms: registered firearms dealers may sell, buy, fix, test, maintain, and prove firearms. They are authorized to handle firearms.
They may need a section five authority from the home office to have prohibited firearms. Necessary for dealing with prohibited weapons.
Registered ballistic experts/practitioners can use firearms as part of any work or consultancy. Allows for professional use in forensic analysis or consulting.
Obtaining a Section Five Authority
Apply for registered firearms dealership through the police, then apply to the home office for section five authority. This is the standard procedure for acquiring authority.
Requires showing business need and experience. Must demonstrate a genuine need and necessary skills.
The Home Office assesses the need for each subsection of Section five. Ensures that the authority is justified and appropriate.
Other Exemptions & Special Cases
Carriers and auctioneers: Special permissions to transit weapons, but not use them. Allows for transportation and sale without usage rights.
Source of animals: Special license with restrictions. Regulates the use of firearms for hunting and pest control.
Sports and athletics: Special licenses for starting guns, clay pigeon ranges, and leasing guns. Allows for sporting use under controlled conditions.
Air Weapons
Air weapons that are deemed specially dangerous have a muzzle energy in excess of specified limits. High-powered air weapons are regulated due to their potential for harm.
Different mechanisms: spring charge/mechanism, pre-charge pneumatic, or CO2 bulbs. These mechanisms power the air weapon.
Length designations apply to air weapons to determine if it's an air pistol or air rifle. Influences handling and intended use.
If the barrel is less than 30cm, it will be an air pistol, if it's above 30cm, it will be an air rifle. Defining factor in classification.
Six foot pounds is the legal limit for air pistols (8.1 joules). Exceeding this limit requires a license.
12 foot pounds is the legal limit for air rifles (16.3 Joules). Above this threshold, the air rifle is heavily regulated.
Ammunition, the pellets for air weapons, are not classified at all. You can just purchase those in general, without any certification. Easily accessible to the general public.
(1 \textrm{ foot pound} = 1.3558 \textrm{ joules})$$
Air Weapon Age Restrictions
Over 18 can purchase a weapon that's not specially dangerous. Legal buying age.
14 to 17 cannot buy or personally own, but can use them on private land without supervision. Limited usage rights.
Under 14 cannot buy, but can use them on private land with permission and under supervision. Restricted usage with adult supervision.
No Certificate Required
Air or gas operated rifles less than 12 foot pounds, and air pistols less than six foot pounds. These are considered low-powered and safe enough for general use.
Deactivated firearms. Rendered permanently inoperable and safe.
Shotgun ammunition containing five or more shots. Exempt as it is considered less dangerous.
Decorative items like key rings or cufflinks. Considered harmless and not subject to regulation.