Citation and commencement

1.  These Rules may be cited as the Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2013 and shall come into force on 1st December 2013.

Amendment to the Firearms Rules 1998

2.  The Firearms Rules 1998(2) are amended as follows.

3.  In rule 3 (firearm certificates)-

(a)for paragraph (1), substitute-

"An application for the grant or renewal of a firearm certificate shall be in the form set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1.";

(b)in paragraph (2), for the words "1 to 16" substitute "1 to 18";

(c)after paragraph (6), insert-

"(7) An application for the variation of a firearm certificate shall be in the form set out in Part IV of Schedule 1."

4.  In rule 4 (referees: firearm certificates), omit paragraph (4).

5.  In rule 5(2) (shotgun certificates), for the words "1 to 16" substitute "1 to 14, and 19 to 21."

6.  In rule 7 (photographs to accompany application)-

(a)before the words "the photographs," insert "(1)";

(b)at the end, insert the following-

"(2) Where an applicant applies for a firearm certificate and a shotgun certificate simultaneously using the prescribed form in Part 1 of Schedule 1, the applicant need only submit a total of four photographs.".

7.  In Schedule 1 (firearm certificates: forms of application and certificate)-

(a)for the heading, substitute "Form of Application for Firearm and Shotgun Certificates, and Firearm Certificate";

(b)for the form in Part 1 (application for a firearm certificate), substitute the form in Schedule 1 to these Regulations (application for the grant or renewal of a firearm or shotgun certificate);

(c)after Part III, insert Part IV as set out in Schedule 2 to these Rules (application to vary a firearm certificate).

8.  In Schedule 2 (shotgun certificates: forms of application and certificate)-

(a)for the heading, substitute "Shotgun Certificate";

(b)omit Part 1 (application for shotgun certificate).

General

9.  An application for a firearm certificate or a shotgun certificate may continue to be made using an application form which is replaced or omitted by virtue of rule 7(b) or 8(b) above if it is received by the chief officer of police for the area in which the applicant resides on or before 1st January 2014.

Rule 7(b)

SCHEDULE 1Application for the grant or renewal of a firearm or shotgun certificate

Rule 7(c)

SCHEDULE 2Application for the variation of a firearm certificate

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules replace the existing two application forms for a firearm certificate and a shotgun certificate with one new single application form that applies for the purposes of both applications. Rule 7(c) introduces a new prescribed application form for an application for the variation of a firearm certificate. Rule 8 removes the old application for a shotgun certificate.

Rule 6 clarifies the requirements that apply in relation to photographs that must accompany an application, in circumstances where an applicant applies simultaneously for a firearm certificate and a shotgun certificate using the new single form.

Rule 9 makes provision to enable chief officers of police to process applications for a firearm certificate or a shotgun certificate which are made using the old forms that are to be replaced, provided that the application concerned is submitted on or before 1st January 2014.