Firearms Enquiries | Age Restrictions

Under 14 years old
	CAN:	Hold a shotgun certificate.
	CANNOT:	Hold a firearm certificate.
	CANNOT (Even if the holder of a relevant certificate):	Purchase or hire shotguns until 17 years old OR Receive a gift of a shotgun until 15 years old.
Under 15 years old
	CAN:	Hold a shotgun certificate AND Hold a firearm certificate.
	CAN (If authorised by the relevant certificate):	Receive a gift of a Section 1 firearm from the age of 14 years old.
	CANNOT (Even if the holder of a relevant certificate):	Purchase or hire a shotgun until 17 years old. Purchase or hire a firearm until 17 years old. Receive a gift of a shotgun until 15 years old. Possess an assembled shotgun unless: (a) supervised by a person over 21 years old, (preferably a shotgun certificate holder), OR (b) the gun is so covered with a securely fastened gun-cover that it cannot be fired.
Under 17 years old
	CAN:	Hold a shotgun certificate AND Hold a firearm certificate.
	CAN (If authorised by the relevant certificate):	Receive a gift of a shotgun from the age of 15 years. Receive a gift of a firearm from the age of 14 years. Possess a shotgun if covered and secured from the age of 15 years.
	CANNOT (Even if the holder of a relevant certificate):	Purchase or hire shotguns until 17 years old. Purchase or hire firearms until 17 years old.

All of the above was correct at the time of compilation of this web page (October 2000), but see also Government Proposals.