Firearms
Firearms control in Northern Ireland is exercised principally under the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (the Order) and controls here are generally regarded as more restrictive than in the rest of the United Kingdom. For example all firearms including shotguns and the more powerful air guns require a firearm certificate.
Administration of firearm licensing is the responsibility of the Chief Constable, through the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI's) Firearms and Explosives Branch at Lisnasharragh police station, and he decides applications for the grant or variation of firearm certificates and firearms dealers' certificates. Further information is available on the PSNI website.
The Northern Ireland Office's Firearms and Explosives Branch administers the Secretary of State’s responsibilities for firearms legislation, policy and the following matters arising from the Order.
The removal of statutory prohibition on possessing firearms.
Authorisation to possess prohibited weapons.
It can be contacted at -
Firearms and Explosives Branch
Policing Division
Northern Ireland Office
Block B
Castle Buildings
BELFAST BT4 3SG
Tel 028 9052 0057
Fax 028 9052 0194
The legislation and supporting information presented on this website is not a comprehensive list of the legislation relating to firearms in Northern Ireland. Further legislation and supporting information will appear here as this area of the website develops.
The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004.
The subsequent Firearms (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2005.
Guidance on Northern Ireland Firearms Controls, which explains the legislation and the policies and practices of the Chief Constable which underpin it..
The additional provisions of the Firearms (Appeals and Applications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 on the submission of Appeals and Applications for the Removal of Prohibition.
The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (Realistic Imitation Firearms) Regulations 2007
