ACTIn ForceAct
Firearms Act 1996
5Principles and objects of Act
Start here
Get a plain-English read of 5
Turn the raw legal text into a practical explanation grounded in Firearms Act 1996.
5 Principles and objects of Act
(1) The underlying principles of this Act are—
(a) to confirm firearm possession and use as being a privilege that
is conditional on the overriding need to ensure public safety; and
(b) to improve public safety—
(i) by imposing strict controls on the possession and use of
firearms; and
(ii) by promoting the safe and responsible storage and use of
firearms; and
(c) to facilitate a national approach to the control of firearms.
(2) The objects of this Act are as follows:
(a) to prohibit the possession and use of all automatic firearms, self-
loading rifles and shotguns (including pump action shotguns),
except in special circumstances;
(b) to establish an integrated licensing and registration scheme for
all firearms;
(c) to require each person who possesses or uses a firearm under the
authority of a licence to establish a genuine reason for
possessing or using the firearm;
(d) to provide strict requirements that must be satisfied in relation
to the licensing of firearms and the acquisition and sales of
firearms;
(e) to ensure that firearms are stored and conveyed in a safe and
secure manner;
(f) to provide for an amnesty period to enable the surrender of
certain prohibited firearms.