Firearms Antique firearms
Under section 58(2) of the 1968 Act, antique firearms are exempt from most of the provisions of that Act so long as they are held as a curiosity or ornament. This means, for example, that an antique firearm can be possessed without the need to obtain a firearm certificate or the authority of the Secretary of State if it would otherwise be a prohibited weapon. However, the legislation does not define "antique firearm", creating legal and practical difficulties in determining whether any given firearm is exempt from control as an antique.
	There is evidence from law enforcement agencies that the law is failing to prevent the easy acquisition and possession of antique firearms by those with criminal intent, which the Government believes presents a public safety risk. The National Ballistics Intelligence Service ("NABIS") report that between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015, 59 antiques were recovered in criminal circumstances (Law Commission Firearms Symposium, 8 September 2015).
	Section 126 gives effect to the Law Commission recommendations (paragraphs 4.40 of their report) "that an "antique firearm" be defined as:
	"a firearm that is either employing an ignition system included on an amendable statutory list of obsolete ignition systems and is possessed as a curiosity or ornament or;
	a firearm that is chambered for a cartridge type included on an amendable statutory list of cartridge types that are no longer readily available and is possessed as a curiosity or ornament".
	Section 126 also gives effect to the Law Commission recommendation (paragraph 4.54 of their report) that:
	"sections 19 [offence of carrying a firearm in a public place] and 20 [offence of trespassing with a firearm] of the Firearms Act 1968 be extended so that it is clear that they apply to antique firearms".