Dunblane Massacre Resource Page

For an analysis of the whys and wherefores of this Act, see Clayton Cramer's Fear and Loathing in Whitehall: Bolshevism and The Firearms Act of 1920.

FIREARMS ACT, 1920

An Act to amend the Law relating to Firearms and other Weapons and Ammunition, and to amend the Unlawful Drilling Act, 1819.
[16th August 1920]

Be it enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SCHEDULES

FIRST SCHEDULE

Fees for Firearm Certificates

Where the applicant is not the holder of a certificate in force at the time of the application -

  1. if the firearm or any of the firearms in respect of which a certificate is applied for belonged to him at the passing of this Act - 2s 6d
  2. in any other case - 5s 0d

Where the applicant is the holder of a certificate in force at the time of the application and is applying for the renewal of the certificate - 2s 6d

SECOND SCHEDULE

Particulars to be entered in Book by Firearms Dealers.

  1. The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition manufactured and the dates thereof.
  2. The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition purchased, with the names and addresses of the sellers and the dates of the several transactions.
  3. The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition sold, with the names and addresses of the purchasers and (except in cases where the purchaser is a registered dealer) the districts in which the firearm certificates were issued, and the dates of the several transactions.
  4. The quantities and description of firearms and ammunition in possession for sale at the date of the last stocktaking or such other date in each year as may be specified in the book.
Notes
It is more economical to photocopy this Act from the bound volumes of Acts available at major reference libraries, but a copy of this Act could be obtained from the Records Office of the House of Lords at rather greater expense.
Notes and transcription by Norman Basset.