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Possession, purchase or acquisition of a firearm without a certificate

s.1(1)(a) Firearms Act 1968 · Triable either way

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Sentencing framework

The guideline for sentencing for possession of a firearm without a certificate emphasizes assessing the culpability and harm caused by the offence. Offenders are categorized based on the type of weapon and other culpability factors, with a maximum sentence of 5 years. The guideline outlines specific aggravating and mitigating factors that influence the final sentence and encourages a fair and proportionate approach based on the offender's circumstances.

Maximum sentence

5 years’ custody, or 7 years for aggravated offences

Court

Triable either way

Starting point

3 years 6 months’ custody

Offence range

Discharge – 4 years 6 months’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Firearm modified to make it more dangerous
  • ·Steps taken to disguise firearm
  • ·Offence committed as part of a group
  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·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
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity
  • ·Serious medical condition requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment

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 — Assessing culpability and harm
  3. Step 3 — Starting point and category range
  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 for the sentence

Guideline notes

  • This guideline applies to all offenders aged 18 and older. The maximum sentence that applies to an offence is the maximum that applied at the date of the offence.

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.