A large number of firearm owners have come to rely entirely on a reminder from the PSNI Firearms and Explosives Branch advising them that their firearm certificate is about to expire and inviting them to apply for a new certificate before taking any action, and have left themselves in breach of the law as a result.
It has become apparent that on a number of occasions firearms certificate holders claim not to have received their reminders and as a consequence have not applied for a grant of their certificate. There is no statutory obligation on the police to issue reminders, and whilst they will continue to issue reminders 12 weeks in advance of the expiry of a certificate, the responsibility lies with all firearm owners to ensure that they apply in time for all applications.
Failure to apply for a new firearm certificate means that the person is in illegal possession of their firearms which is a criminal offence and may leave them liable to prosecution. It also puts pressure on the administration system and slows the process for every application.
From the 1st October, Firearms & Explosives Branch expects all firearm certificate holders to apply for the grant of their certificate as soon as practicable, certainly at least six weeks before the expiry of their existing certificate.
If a reminder is not received by the certificate holder at ten weeks in advance of expiry of their certificate the holder should obtain an application pack from their local police station, Firearms & Explosives Branch Lisnasharragh or visit the PSNI website at www.psni.police.uk. They should then complete it and submit it without waiting for the expiry of their existing certificate.
The responsibility to ensure their possession of firearms is covered by a valid firearm certificate ultimately lies with the owner of the firearms. Failure to apply for a grant before the expiry of the existing firearm certificate may be considered by Police in the decision making process of whether or not a grant of the firearm certificate will be permitted.
In addition, the PSNI insist that all firearm certificate holders ensure their firearms are securely stored in approved cabinets at all times when not in use. Care should also be taken not to advertise the presence of firearms by careless talk or open display of firearms. Lapses in security or breaches of conditions which result in the theft of firearms will normally result in the revocation of the firearms certificate.
It is also important to be aware that if you wish to buy firearms from other sources besides your local firearms dealer, you should bear in mind the differences in legislation when buying firearms, or component parts for firearms, from dealers in Great Britain and Europe. While an advertisement in a shooting magazine or on the internet may state that no firearm certificate is required, the law relating to the purchase, acquisition and possession of firearms in GB or Europe is very different to that which prevails in Northern Ireland and the onus lies with the person to ensure they are acting legally. Many air-guns and possibly some of the more powerful BB guns may, for example, bring a risk of illegal possession of a firearm in Northern Ireland, even though they are advertised in a magazine or online as suitable for ownership without a firearm certificate.
Members are advised to seek professional advice from their local firearms dealer or the Police Service Firearms & Explosives Branch if they are unsure of the requirements. Do not order any items over the internet or from dealers in GB until you have ascertained whether it is legal to do so. Possession of firearms or components which are required to be held on certificate may lead to prosecution even if they have been bought in ignorance of the law or in good faith.
Any person who believes they are in possession of such items obtained in the mistaken belief that a firearm certificate is not required are urged to surrender them to police at their local police station.
