Durham Constabulary

| Feedback |  Text Size 

Home » Information & Advice » Firearms Licensing » Age Restrictions

Age Restrictions

UNDER 14 YEARS OLD

CAN

Hold a shotgun certificate.

CANNOT

Hold a firearm certificate.

CANNOT
(Even if the holder of a relevant certificate)

Purchase or hire shotguns until 18 years old OR

Receive a gift of a shotgun until 15 years old.
UNDER 15 YEARS OLD

CAN

Hold a shotgun certificate AND

Hold a firearm certificate.

CAN
(If authorised by the relevant certificate)

Receive a gift of a Section 1 firearm from the age of 14 years old.

CANNOT
(Even if the holder of a relevant certificate)

Purchase or hire a shotgun until 18 years old.

Purchase or hire a firearm until 18 years old.

Receive a gift of a shotgun until 15 years old.

Possess an assembled shotgun unless:

  1. supervised by a person over 21 years old, (preferably a shotgun certificate holder), OR
  2. the gun is so covered with a securely fastened gun-cover that it cannot be fired.
UNDER 18 YEARS OLD

CAN

Hold a shotgun certificate AND

Hold a firearm certificate.

CAN
(If authorised by the relevant certificate)

Receive a gift of a shotgun from the age of 15 years.

Receive a gift of a firearm from the age of 14 years.

Possess a shotgun if covered and secured from the age of 15 years.

CANNOT
(Even if the holder of a relevant certificate)

Purchase or hire shotguns until 18 years old.

Purchase or hire firearms until 18 years old.