Structure and Summary of the Act Air weapon certificates Section 4 – Verification of applications
16.This section, combined with section 3(2)(a), requires an application for a new or renewed air weapon certificate to be verified by an appropriate individual before it can be considered by the Chief Constable. Subsection (2) sets out who can verify an application and subsection (3) requires the verifier to confirm the accuracy of any information supplied with the application. In every case the verifier must have known the applicant personally for at least two years, but not be related to them (see the definition of “relative” in section 40) or be ordinarily resident outside the United Kingdom, or be a Registered Firearms Dealer or be a constable or member of police staff of the Police Service of Scotland or a member or employee of the Scottish Police Authority. The Chief Constable must also be satisfied that verifiers are of good standing in the community. Further detail on who can verify an application will be provided in guidance published by the Scottish Ministers under section 39.