Firearms Licensing - age limits

Type of weapon

Under 14

14

15/16

17

18

Section 1 Firearms.

Purchase or hire firearm or ammunition.

NO

NO

NO

NO

YES

Be given or lent a firearm or ammunition.

NO

YES

YES

YES

YES

Carry (but not use) a firearm or ammunition if accompanied by the owner.

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

Use at an approved shooting gallery or as a club or cadet corps member.

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shotguns.

Purchase or hire a shotgun or ammunition.

NO

NO

NO

NO

YES

Be given a shotgun.

NO

NO

YES

YES

YES

Be lent a shotgun.

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

Use a shotgun under supervision.

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

Use a shotgun unsupervised.

NO

NO

YES

YES

YES

Carry a shotgun in a secure case in a public place.

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Air weapons.

Purchase or hire an air weapon or ammunition.

NO

NO

NO

NO

YES

Be given or lent an air weapon or ammunition.

NO

NO

NO

NO

YES

Possess an air weapon in a public place.

NO

NO

NO

NO

YES

Carry an air rifle (but not an air pistol) in a secure case in a public place.

NO

NO

NO

NO

YES

Use an air weapon on an approved range or private property under supervision.

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

Notes.

  • Supervision means under the immediate supervision of a person aged 21 or over.
  • Certificate holders under the age of 18 may only use a firearm or shotgun for any or all of the following:
  • As a slaughtering instrument.
  • For a sporting purpose.
  • For shooting vermin, or in conjunction with the management of an estate, other wildlife.
  • Target shooting, including competition.