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Rifle & Pistol Club

Section 21 Declaration

Persons Prohibited by Section 21 of the Firearms Acts from Possessing or Handling Firearms, Ammunition and Air-weapons

Section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968 prohibits a person from possession of any type of firearm if they have been given a custodial sentence when convicted of a criminal offence.

If you have received a custodial sentence of between 3 months and 3 years then you are prohibited for a period of 5 years from the date you are released.

If you have received a custodial sentence of 3 years or more then you are prohibited for life, from the date of release.

The prohibition may be lifted on application to the Crown Court, for advice please consult a solicitor.

It is also an offence for a person to sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition to, or repair, test or prove a firearm or ammunition for, a person whom he/she knows or has reasonable grounds for believing to be prohibited from having a firearm or ammunition in his possession.

The Club’s membership application form requires you to disclose any conviction or current police investigation and failure to do so will invalidate your application. Signing the application form also declares that you are not prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition by virtue of Section 21.

Please note that under Home Office criteria for target clubs, the Club must notify the police of new members. Under the Firearms Acts no conviction may be considered as ‘spent’ where applications to possess firearms are concerned and the police will notify the Club if they feel that a persons record or background would render them unsuitable to possess firearms.
Naturally, the Club has an obligation to its members to protect its good name and will not normally accept persons as members who are clearly unsuitable to be in possession of firearms. Therefore if you have any convictions or are currently under investigation by the police you must complete the application form honestly in order to avoid subsequent embarrassment or possible prosecution under Section 21 of the Firearms Acts.