Firearms
The Firearms Act 1968 ("the 1968 Act") is the principal statute regulating the control of firearms in England and Wales, and Scotland. Sections 1 and 2 prohibit the possession of a firearm or shotgun without an appropriate certificate (Part 2 of the Act provide for the application process for such certificates). Section 3 of the Act makes it an offence to commit certain acts by way of a trade or business relating to section 1 firearms, shotguns, ammunition or air weapons without being registered as a firearms dealer (sections 33 to 39 set out the process for registration of firearms dealers). Section 5 of the Act prohibits the possession of specific types of weapons, their component parts and ammunition without the authority of the Secretary of State. These include handguns, automatic weapons and weapons which dispense noxious gas, amongst others.