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41 Medico-Legal J. 1 (1973)

handle is hein.journals/medlgjr41 and id is 1 raw text is: THE MEDICO-LEGAL JOURNAL Founded i9oi Vol. 41 1973 Part One EDITORIAL FIREARMS THE number of offences in which firearms have been used has increased con- currently with a general rise in violence throughout the world. We read almost daily of shooting incidents for political reasons or for criminal acts such as robbery, kidnapping or hijacking. Some of the events, such as the New Orleans hotel affair, border on the insane. Most people wonder whether stricter control of weapons might not be imposed, though this would not be effective where weapons are clandestinely supplied to political organizations and criminal groups. It is unlikely that many members of the Medico-Legal Society are familiar with the Firearms Act 1968 which places licensing of weapons in the hands of the police, with discretion to refuse permits to people who are deemed unfit to have firearms in their possession. In addition to the Act a Home Office memor- andum gives guidance in its enforcement.* A firearm is a lethal barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or missile can be discharged. Air weapons of prescribed power come within the scope of the Act. A shotgun is subject to slightly less stringent conditions but it is an offence to shorten the barrel to less than 24 inches. Ammunition is similarly controlled, but air weapon ammunition, blank cartridges and shotgun cartridges less than o-36 inches in diameter are exempted. No person without the authority of the Defence Council may possess a firearm which continues to fire so long as pressure is applied to the trigger, or one which discharges gas or noxious liquid. Firearm certificates are issued by chief officers of police, usually through local police stations. Subject to exemptions it is an offence to possess a firearm with- out a valid certificate. A person may not deal in firearms unless he is registered as a firearms dealer but an auctioneer may auction firearms without being registered provided that he has a police permit. Carriers and warehousemen may deliver firearms in the course of their business. A licensed slaughterman may have a slaughtering instrument without holding a certificate. For sporting * Home Office. Firearms Act i968. Memorandum for the Guidance of the Police. HMSO, 1969, price 32iP.

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