Commentary First Group of Parts – Discipline Part 8 – Sentencing Powers and Mandatory Etc Sentences Section 227: Firearms offences
453.Section 51A of the Firearms Act 1968 requires an adult convicted of certain offences under that Act to be sentenced to at least five years’ imprisonment if he was an adult when he committed the offence, or three if he was aged 16 or 17, unless there are exceptional circumstances which justify not passing such a sentence. Subject to that exception, this section requires the Court Martial to impose such a sentence where it convicts an adult of a criminal conduct offence and section 51A of the Firearms Act 1968 would apply if he were convicted by a civilian court of the corresponding offence.
454.If the offender is aged under 18 when convicted, the minimum sentence required by section 51A of the Firearms Act 1968 (in the absence of exceptional circumstances) is one of three years’ detention under section 91 of the Sentencing Act. Where a person under 18 is convicted by the Court Martial and section 51A of the Firearms Act 1968 would apply if he were convicted by a civilian court of the corresponding offence, the minimum sentence required by this section (in the absence of exceptional circumstances) is one of three years’ detention under section 209.