The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004

PART VI N.I. FIREARMS CLUBS [F1 AND SHOTGUN CLUBS]

F1 Words in Pt. VI heading added (13.5.2016) by Justice Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 21), s. 61(1), Sch. 5 para. 1(2)

[F2 Firearms clubs] N.I.

F2 Art. 49 cross-heading added (13.5.2016) by Justice Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 21), s. 61(1), Sch. 5 para. 1(3)

Authorisation N.I.

49.—(1) The Chief Constable may, on payment of the appropriate fee, grant an authorisation for a firearms club if he is satisfied that it can operate without danger to public safety or to the peace.

(2) The Chief Constable may at any time by notice in writing—

(a) attach conditions to an authorisation;

(b) vary or revoke conditions attached under this Article.

(3) An authorisation shall, unless the Chief Constable revokes it, continue in force for a period of five years from the date on which it is granted.

(4) The Unlawful Drilling Act 1819 (c. 1) shall not have effect in relation to a firearms club if an authorisation is in force in relation to it.

(5) Any person who—

(a) operates, or participates in the activities of, a firearms club for which an authorisation is not in force; or

(b) contravenes any condition of an authorisation,

shall be guilty of an offence.

Revocation or variation of authorisation N.I.

50.—(1) The Chief Constable may revoke an authorisation if he is not satisfied that the club can operate without danger to public safety or to the peace.

(2) The Chief Constable may vary an authorisation on the application of an officer of the club.

(3) In this Article “authorisation” means an authorisation granted under Article 49.

[F3 Shotgun clubs N.I.

F3 Art. 50A and cross-heading inserted (13.5.2016) by Justice Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 21), s. 61(1), Sch. 5 para. 1(4)

Authorisation of shotgun clubs to allow use of shotguns by minors for limited purposes N.I.

50A— (1) If the Chief Constable is satisfied that there will not be a danger to public safety or to the peace, the Chief Constable may, on payment of the appropriate fee, grant an authorisation for a shotgun club to allow persons under the age of 16 who have attained the age of 12 to use shotguns under appropriate supervision in accordance with the authorisation.

(2) An authorisation must state that it is limited to the use of shotguns for clay target shooting or for such other purposes as may be prescribed.

(3) The Chief Constable may at any time by notice in writing—

(a) attach conditions to an authorisation;

(b) vary or revoke conditions attached under this Article.

(4) An authorisation shall continue in force for a period of five years from the date on which it is granted but if the Chief Constable is satisfied that there is a danger to public safety or to the peace, the Chief Constable may revoke the authorisation.

(5) Any person who—

(a) operates a shotgun club which allows a person under the age of 16 to use a shotgun except in accordance with an authorisation, or

(b) contravenes any condition of an authorisation,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(6) In this Article—

“appropriate supervision” means under the supervision of a person who has attained the age of 21 and has held a firearm certificate for a shotgun for at least five years;

“authorisation” means an authorisation granted under this Article;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Department of Justice.

(7) The Department of Justice may make regulations substituting a different age for the lower age mentioned in paragraph (1) and paragraph 11(4) of Schedule 1.

(8) The Department of Justice shall not make regulations under this Article unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Assembly.]

[F4 Power of entry] N.I.

F4 Art. 51 cross-heading inserted (13.5.2016) by Justice Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 21), s. 61(1), Sch. 5 para. 1(5)

Power of entry N.I.

51.—(1) A constable or member of the police support staff authorised in that behalf by the Chief Constable may on producing his authority if required to do so—

(a) enter any premises occupied or used by a firearms club [F5 or a shotgun club] ; and

(b) inspect the premises and anything on them,

for the purpose of ascertaining whether the conditions of any authorisation granted under Article 49 [F6 or 50A] are being complied with.

(2) Any person who intentionally obstructs a constable or a member of the police support staff in the exercise of his powers under this Article shall be guilty of an offence.

(3) In this Article “premises” includes any place and in particular includes a range.

F5 Words in art. 51(1)(a) inserted (13.5.2016) by Justice Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 21), s. 61(1), Sch. 5 para. 1(6)(a)

F6 Words in art. 51(1) inserted (13.5.2016) by Justice Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 21), s. 61(1), Sch. 5 para. 1(6)(b)