Advice & Guidance - Young People & Firearms

Firearms laws are different for young people, it's important you know exactly what they are.

Under 15-years-old

It is an offence to make a gift of a shotgun or ammunition to children under 15-years-old.

Children under 15-years may not have an assembled shotgun with them except:

• With a valid shotgun certificate, they may use a shotgun under the direction and supervision of someone 21 or over
• When they are using an airgun under the direct supervision of someone aged 21 or over
• When the shotgun is in a securely fastened gun cover so that it cannot be fired

Aged 15-17-years-old

A person between 15 and 17-years-old may be given or lent a shotgun with ammunition but may not buy them.

Aged 17-years or over

A person of 17 years or above may purchase an airgun and ammunition, firearm and ammunition or a shotgun and ammunition with a valid firearm ⁄shotgun certificate.

A shotgun certificate is required at any age unless:

• Shooting with the occupier on their private land and using the landowners gun in their presence
• Shooting at a police approved clay shoot

There is no minimum age for the issue of a shotgun certificate. A shotgun certificate will be granted unless the applicant:

• Is prohibited from possessing a gun under the Firearms Acts
• Is a danger to the public safety or to the peace
• Does not have good reason for possessing, purchasing or acquiring a weapon. Use for sporting competition or pest control both constitute 'good reason'

The minimum age for a firearm certificate is 15 years old.