Firearms – Transfer and manufacture

Firearms Act 1968, s. 5(2A)(a-d) · Crown Court

Sentencing framework

The guideline for firearms transfer and manufacture outlines a structured approach to sentencing based on the categories of culpability and harm. Offenders are assessed based on their role in the offence and the scale of harm caused, leading to a starting point for sentencing. Aggravating factors such as previous convictions and the use of forbidden firearms increase the severity of the sentence, while mitigating factors like lack of prior convictions or genuine remorse can lead to a reduction.

Maximum sentence

Life imprisonment

Court

Crown Court

Starting point

20 years’ custody

Offence range

4 – 28 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

·Previous convictions
·Offence committed whilst on bail
·Firearm under section 5(1)(a) (automatic weapon)
·Steps taken to disguise firearm
·Compatible ammunition and/or silencer(s) supplied with firearm
·Others put at risk of harm, including by location or method of manufacture or transfer
·Use of business as a cover
·Attempts to conceal or dispose of the firearm or other evidence
·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

Mitigating factors

·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
·Good character and/or exemplary conduct
·Firearm/ammunition not subject to minimum term
·Firearm incomplete or incapable of being discharged
·Genuine belief that firearm will not be used for criminal purpose
·No knowledge or suspicion that item possessed was firearm/ammunition
·No knowledge or suspicion that firearm/ammunition is prohibited
·Voluntary surrender of firearm/ammunition
·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

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

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

Guideline notes

This offence is subject to statutory minimum sentencing provisions. See STEPS 2 AND 3 for further details.

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.