Illegal Firearms

Customs and Excise helps to protect society from the threat of weapons in the same way it tackles drugs offences - by stopping illegal imports as they come into the country. British law is very strict about who can own or move firearms, ammunition and explosives. All firearms and explosives must be licensed. There is a total ban on offensive weapons such as knuckle-dusters and flick knives.

It is also against the law to import:
• high voltage electric 'stun guns'
• pepper sprays and CS gas canisters
• high-powered air rifles

People are not allowed to bring component parts of guns into the country, unless they have a licence for the weapon for which the parts are intended.

Individual gun parts can be put to several uses. Other than legitimate repairs, they can also be to reactivate guns that have previously been modified to stop them from firing.

An enforcement pact
Weapons control is not something that Customs and Excise does alone. They work closely with several public organisations, including:

• the Home Office - which makes and administers UK firearms law, as well as authorising otherwise prohibited firearms and ammunition purchases, possession and trade
• the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - which administers and issues the licences that allow weapons to be moved into and out of the UK
• the regional police authorities - which authorise and control both private gun ownership licences and the commercial firearms trade. Customs works with these organisations to ensure that only vetted, responsible people get hold of weapons or component parts

Gun getters
People want to bring weapons into the country for a variety of reasons. Some, such as farmers, have a legitimate working need for items such as shotguns. Others, such as target shooters and firearms enthusiasts may want to collect them as part of a sport or hobby. Customs targets all groups who would seek to illegally import firearms or explosives, whatever the motive, including criminal gangs who use weapons to protect or expand their illegal activities.

Guns by post or Internet
Although anti-smuggling checks at ports and airports lead to firearms detections every year, increasingly seizures are being made through scrutiny of international mail, by our officers at the UK's postal depots.

Internet websites and adverts in specialist magazines allow anyone to place an order for firearms or ammunition - or even their component parts - and have it sent to their house.

Customs officers
Customs and Excise uses officers across the country to stop illegal weapons imports. The international trade in firearms is also monitored by officers from Customs' specialist National Investigation Service, who track shipments of conventional weapons between nations and examine attempts to supply arms to terrorists. Customs also employs intelligence experts to analyse information about firearms movements.

Legal penalties
Customs prosecutes two main types of firearms offences:

• importation
• importation and possession

Some importation cases are tried at magistrates courts, which can lead to a fine, up to six months in prison, or both. More serious cases are taken to the crown courts where the maximum six month prison term is raised to seven years. Dual importation and possession offences can carry a sentence if tried at crown court - judges have the option of imposing a fine, sending someone to jail for up to 10 years or combining the two.