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Firearms – Carrying in a public place

s.19, Firearms Act 1968 · Triable either way

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Sentencing framework

The guideline provides a structure for sentencing in cases of carrying firearms in public. It categorizes offences based on culpability and harm, allowing courts to determine an appropriate starting point and range for sentencing. Factors such as previous convictions, the nature of the firearm, and the circumstances of the offence affect the severity and type of sentence applied.

Maximum sentence

7 years’ custody

Court

Triable either way

Starting point

Discharge

Offence range

Discharge – 4 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Offender prohibited from possessing weapon or ammunition because of previous conviction
  • ·Offence committed whilst on bail
  • ·Firearm modified to make it more dangerous
  • ·Steps taken to disguise firearm
  • ·Steps taken to make imitation firearm appear more realistic
  • ·Firearm/ammunition kept with multiple weapons and/or substantial quantity of ammunition
  • ·Offence was committed as part of a group
  • ·Contact with criminal associates
  • ·Abuse of position as registered firearms dealer
  • ·Commission of offence whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Mitigating factors

  • ·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
  • ·Good character and/or exemplary conduct
  • ·Held on behalf of another through coercion, intimidation, or exploitation
  • ·Genuine mistake about whether covered by lawful authorisation
  • ·Voluntary surrender of firearm/ammunition
  • ·Remorse

Sentencing range explorer

Select the culpability level and harm category to see the guideline's starting point and category range. This is an educational illustration of the published guideline — not a sentence calculation, and not legal advice. Courts apply the full step-by-step process, aggravating and mitigating factors, and the totality principle.

Culpability

Harm

Select a culpability level and a harm category above.

The sentencing process, step by step

  1. Step 1 — Determining the offence category
  2. Step 2 — Starting point and category range
  3. Step 3 — Minimum Term
  4. Step 4 — Consider any factors which indicate a reduction for assistance to the prosecution
  5. Step 5 — Reduction for guilty pleas
  6. Step 6 — Totality principle
  7. Step 7 — Ancillary orders
  8. Step 8 — Reasons
  9. Step 9 — Consideration for time spent on bail (tagged curfew)

Guideline notes

  • This offence is subject to statutory minimum sentencing provisions.

Always read the full guideline

This is a one-page summary. For any live case, sentencing exercise, or legal advice the authoritative source is the Sentencing Council's own definitive guideline — including the category bands, step-by-step sentencing approach, and all statutory factors not captured here.

Open the full guideline on sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Source: Sentencing Council · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-28. Not legal advice — see a regulated adviser for any live case.