A shotgun barrel on its own - status ?

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breacher · #1 Post by **breacher** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 8:11 am

Seem to recall a discussion in some thread here relating to shotgun barrels and whether they are controlled items / component parts ?

Can anybody point me towards case law / legislation confirming the status of a shotgun barrel as a stand alone item ?

#2 Post by **jmc67** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 8:17 am

My understanding is that they are an item on their own. I spoke with Surrey Forearms licensing and they told me I needed a separate slot on my ticket for a spare barrel. Can't point you to the law on this though, sorry.

#3 Post by **dromia** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 8:30 am

jmc67 wrote:My understanding is that they are an item on their own. I spoke with Surrey Forearms licensing and they told me I needed a separate slot on my ticket for a spare barrel. Can't point you to the law on this though, sorry.

Surely that would be for section 1 shotguns not section 2.

breacher · #4 Post by **breacher** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 8:36 am

OK - a respected RFD has confirmed that a sect 2 barrel is not controlled.

Now, for the follow up question - as its not controlled, would it be legal to shorten it to sub 24"

It would then become a sect 1 barrel but if one had a slot on FAC for "one shotgun barrel" you would have authority to possess ?

#5 Post by **Sandgroper** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:08 am

From the actual Act - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/4

(1)Subject to this section, it is an offence to shorten the barrel of a shot gun to a length less than 24 inches.

(2)It is not an offence under subsection (1) above for a registered firearms dealer to shorten the barrel of a shot gun for the sole purpose of replacing a defective part of the barrel so as to produce a barrel not less than 24 inches in length.

(3)It is an offence for a person other than a registered firearms dealer to convert into a firearm anything which, though having the appearance of being a firearm, is so constructed as to be incapable of discharging any missile through its barrel.

(4)A person who commits an offence under section 1 of this Act by having in his possession, or purchasing or acquiring, a shotgun which has been shortened contrary to subsection (1) above or a firearm which has been [F1converted as mentioned in subsection (3) above] (whether by a registered firearms dealer or not), without holding a firearm certificate authorising him to have it in his possession, or to purchase or acquire it, shall be treated for the purposes of provisions of this Act relating to the punishment of offences as committing that offence in an aggravated form.

Edit: As I see it - a S1 shotgun has to conform to the 12/24 limit on size (unless it's a pump or semi auto), so shortening the barrel on an already owned S1 shotgun wouldn't be a problem (pump/semi notwithstanding). The problem lies with a barrel on its own and it status in law. I wouldn't touch it because the the Act clearly states that shortening a shotgun barrel to sub 24 inches is an offence.

breacher · #6 Post by **breacher** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:16 am

Well, I have an answer and to be honest it surprised me.

Although you can legally own a shotgun barrel without a SGC of FAC as its not a component part, that does not mean that you can do what you like with it !!

Regardless of its status, it is still an absolute offence to shorten a shotgun barrel regardless of its status as a non-component !

#7 Post by **Sandgroper** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:22 am

I'm guessing it's like the S5 to S1 argument but in this case it's S2 to S1. Like I said in my edit I wouldn't do anything to a barrel on its own, but S1 firearms have their own set of criteria and rules.

#8 Post by **jmc67** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:35 am

dromia wrote:
jmc67 wrote:My understanding is that they are an item on their own. I spoke with Surrey Forearms licensing and they told me I needed a separate slot on my ticket for a spare barrel. Can't point you to the law on this though, sorry.
Surely that would be for section 1 shotguns not section 2.

Ah yes, mine was for a section 1.

nickb834 · #9 Post by **nickb834** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:19 pm

Actually, you can have a shotgun with a barrel less than 24 inch - S1 shotgun admittedly, but, good reason to posess being Cowboy Action Shooting - as per the British Western Shooting Society, and it doesn't have to be pump or semi auto.

To be fair - the law around firearms is a complete mess - as we all know. I shot a 3 gun comp yesterday, S1 shotgun, S1 semi auto 22LR and a fecking BB gun - how stupid is that

Have a look at para 1.1 of this doc:

http://www.ukpsa.co.uk/PSGV6Police.pdf

And I'll try dig up the home office guidance that covers this also (can't find it at the mo).

#10 Post by **Polchraine** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:48 pm

Sandgroper wrote:From the actual Act - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/4
(1)Subject to this section, it is an offence to shorten the barrel of a shot gun to a length less than 24 inches.

A lawyer could have a field day with that statement.

The barrel of a shotgun implies that there is a complete shotgun and it is an offence to shorten the barrel of that shotgun.

However, if a shotgun barrel alone is owned without the remaining parts, it is a shotgun barrel and NOT the barrel of a shotgun.

I'm not suggesting anyone tries it out, however there is a need to get the wording EXACTLY right.

The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

A shotgun barrel on its own - status ?

A shotgun barrel on its own - status ?

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