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Firearms – Possession with intent – other offences

Firearms Act 1968, s.17(1), s.17(2), s.18 · Crown Court

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Sentencing framework

The guideline for 'Firearms – Possession with intent – other offences' provides a structured framework for sentencing that considers factors such as culpability and harm. The court categorizes the offence based on the offender's actions and the potential harm caused, leading to a starting point in sentencing. Aggravating and mitigating factors are highlighted, influencing the final sentence and providing a comprehensive approach to achieving justice while considering individual offender circumstances.

Maximum sentence

Life imprisonment

Court

Crown Court

Starting point

Not specified

Offence range

High level community order – 16 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Offence committed whilst on bail
  • ·Offence motivated by hostility based on victim characteristics
  • ·Firearm prohibited under section 5 and subject to minimum term
  • ·Firearm under section 5(1)(a) (automatic weapon)
  • ·Firearm modified to make it more dangerous
  • ·Steps taken to disguise firearm
  • ·Imitation firearm is readily convertible
  • ·Steps taken to make imitation firearm appear more realistic
  • ·Firearm/ammunition held with multiple weapons and/or substantial quantity of ammunition
  • ·Offence committed in a domestic abuse context
  • ·Offence committed as part of a group
  • ·Offender’s actions resulted in a suspect avoiding arrest
  • ·Expectation of substantial financial gain
  • ·Attempts to conceal or dispose of the firearm
  • ·Serious damage to property caused
  • ·Abuse of position as registered firearms dealer, certificate holder or other authorised user
  • ·Commission of offence whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • ·Offender prohibited from possessing weapon or ammunition because of previous conviction
  • ·Failure to comply with current court orders
  • ·Offence committed on licence or post sentence supervision

Mitigating factors

  • ·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
  • ·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct
  • ·Firearm incomplete or incapable of being discharged
  • ·Imitation firearm is unrealistic and unconvincing
  • ·Involved through coercion, intimidation, or exploitation
  • ·Voluntary surrender of firearm
  • ·Offender co-operated with investigation and/or made early admissions
  • ·Remorse
  • ·Serious medical condition requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity
  • ·Mental disorder or learning disability
  • ·Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
  • ·Pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care
  • ·Difficult and/or deprived background or personal circumstances
  • ·Prospects of or in work, training or education

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 and exceptional circumstances
  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 — dangerousness
  7. Step 7 — totality principle
  8. Step 8 — ancillary orders
  9. Step 9 — reasons
  10. Step 10 — consideration for time spent on bail (tagged curfew)

Guideline notes

  • This offence is subject to statutory minimum sentencing provisions which are taken into account at steps 2 and 3.

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.