Gun crime

Gun crime means any crime that involves using a gun, including an imitation gun. You need a licence from the police to buy, own or handle most types of guns.

Different gun crimes

It is a gun crime:

when victim is shot
any situation where a gun was fired illegally, whether anyone was injured or not
when a thief carries a gun during a robbery or burglary
to intimidate people with a gun, real or imitation
to carry an unlicensed gun

Gun laws

You must have a licence from the police before you can buy or handle a firearm including air guns (except for very low-powered guns).

It is illegal to sell an imitation firearm to someone under 18 and for a person under 18 to buy one. It is illegal to carry firearms and imitation firearms in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Helping to prevent gun crime

If you have information about gun crime in your area and you're nervous about going to the police, you should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They won't ask for your name or try to trace the number that you're calling from.

Exchanging firearms

A one-on/one-off firearms transaction is an exchange between a firearms certificate-holder and a licensed dealer. They exchange an identical firearm in calibre and type, except gunshot gauge. You must apply to the police and tell them about any one-on/one-off transactions in Northern Ireland.

Applying for a one-on/one-off exchange

You must apply to the police. You can do this online:

One on/one off exchange through a firearms dealer

For more information about cancelling a firearm certificate or selling or transferring a firearm, go to:

Firearms certificates - cancellation, sale or change

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