Firearm Crime (Guns)
WHAT IS A FIREARM?
Under section 57 (1) of the firearms act 1968 a firearm is a lethal barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SECTION 57 (1) OF THE FIREARMS ACT 1968
WHAT IS GUN CRIME?
Gun crime is any crime that involves a gun or firearm. Such as:
- Possessing a firearm or gun without a licence
- Importing a firearm or gun without a licence.
- Selling a firearm or gun without a licence
- Transferring a firearm or gun without a licence
- Modifying a gun or firearm without a licence.
- Shooting someone
- A situation where a gun was fired illegally.
- A gun is used to commit a crime for example a burglary.
- Someone is threatened by a gun
- A gun is used as a blunt instrument to hurt someone.
Gun crime is scarce and not common in the UK.
DO YOU NEED A LICENCE TO PURCHASE A GUN IN THE UK?
Under section 1 of the firearms act 1968 it is illegal to own and possess a firearm, air weapons or a gun without a licence issued by the police.
An individual also needs a licence to purchase ammunition.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SECTION 1 OF THE FIREARMS ACT 1968
WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT FOR A CHILD CARRYING A GUN?
Under section 5 of the firearms act 1968 the sentence for possessing, importing, selling, transferring or modifying a prohibited weapon is 5 years.
A prohibited weapon is:
- Handgun
- Self loading shotgun
- Machine gun
- Revolver
- Short barrelled rifle.
There are guns that are disguised as other objects. These are included as prohibited weapons:
- Pen gun
- Key fob gun
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SECTION 5 OF THE FIREARMS ACT 1968
CAN YOU SELL A GUN TO A CHILD UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE?
No you cannot. It is unlawful to sell a firearm/gun to anyone under 18 years of age.
This includes imitation guns and air weapons. .
CAN A CHILD BUY A GUN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE?
It is illegal for anyone under 18 years of age to purchase a firearm/gun.
This includes imitation guns and air weapons.
A child between 14 and 18 years of age can be granted a licence to borrow or be gifted a firearm and ammunition. They cannot purchase or hire a firearm or ammunition until they are 18 years of age and that only if they have a licence.
WHY WOULD A CHILD CARRY A GUN?
- They are being exploited criminally and been given a gun to carry.
- Because they are afraid of other individuals who carry guns.
- To commit a crime
- To intimidate others.
- To protect themselves
- Peer pressure
- Social media influence.
- They are unaware it is illegal to carry a gun.
- To act cool and hard.
CAN POLICE STOP AND SEARCH YOUR CHILD FOR A GUN?
Yes they can if they suspect your child is carrying a gun in their hand, pocket, on their body, in their car or in their bag.
HOW CAN A PARENT PREVENT THEIR CHILD CARRYING A GUN?
It is not common for children to access guns in the UK. More than likely a child will have been given a gun as a result of criminal exploitation and as part of being in a criminal gang.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR CHILD CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION & CRIMINAL GANGS
Communicate with them – Have an open and honest discussion with your child from a young age about guns and gun crime. Explain the harm they can do and how strict the law is and if they are caught with a gun they will not get off lightly.
Try your best not to overreact – If you do find a gun in your child’s possessions please try not to react, stay calm and peaceful. Confiscate it. Then ask your child for a talk and tell them you found it. Together try and find a positive solution where they don’t need to carry a gun to feel safe.
Tell them you understand – Your child may say you don’t understand how they feel and the threats they face. They may say that carrying a gun is vital for their defence and safety. You must listen to them first and then tell them you understand how they feel but carrying a gun is not the way to protect themselves. They can contact the police if they are under threat.
Discourage your child from carrying a gun then support them – If your child is worried about gun crime or wants to carry a gun to protect themselves, after discouraging them to carry a gun or taking it away, be vigilant about how they feel and support them.
- If they are scared about an incident, inform the school, the police or your local authority child services.
- Spend time with them and ask if they would like you to walk with them when they go out.
- Give them a phone with credit so they can call you when they feel scared.
- They can also call 999 if they feel threatened.
- Make sure the route they choose to come home is safe.
- Go over scenarios where your child knows what to say if they get themselves into trouble or they come across someone who wants to harm them.
- Encourage them to walk away from a perpetrator.
Try to be observant and know what your child is up to – There are many things we as parents can do to ensure our child is protected from carrying a gun or is the victim of gun crime.
- Know your child’s circle of friends and who they hang out with.
- Inform your child that their friends are welcome to hang out at your place if you are able to accommodate this.
- Be aware of where your child goes after school and at weekends
- May sure they are not hiding a gun in their possessions.
- Be aware of what your child views on social media.
- Be aware of what your child is ordering online.
Try and build a positive trusting relationship with your child – Your child should be able to come to you and talk to you, and share their fears when they feel scared or threatened. They will do this if you are approachable, you do not react and do not take what they say personally. When your child comes and talks to you it is about them, how they feel and what is happening to them. It is not about your parenting. It isn’t an opportunity to blame yourself. Your child will approach you is you:
- Listen intently without interruption.
- Do not judge them.
- Do not take what they say personally.
- Understand their reasons.
- Do not react in a negative manner.
- Try and find a positive outcome for your child.
- Support them through the whole episode.
HOW CAN YOU DISPOSE OF A GUN SAFELY?
- Hand it in at the police station
- Ask the police to collect it from you.
- Go on your local authority website and see if they have any places where a gun can be disposed of safely such as a local amnesty bin.
SHOULD YOU REPORT YOUR CHILD IF YOU HAVE FOUND A GUN IN THEIR POSSESSION?
Yes you should. Prevention is always the key. If you have tried your best to stop your child having or carrying a gun but your child isn’t listening to you then right now before anyone is hurt your best option is to inform the police.
If you still have your doubts call the NSPCC (details below) and talk to them.
You can call the police – You can dial 999 if you or your child is at risk or a crime has been committed. Alternatively if there is no emergency you can dial 101 or file a report online.
LINK TO POLICE WEBSITE TO REPORT A CRIME ONLINE
You can contact Crimestoppers – You can report a crime anonymously to crimestoppers. Their telephone number is 0800 555 111.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR CRIMESTOPPERS.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has a gun you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child has a gun.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR FAMILY LIVES
You can contact SAMARITANS – The Samaritans are a free organisation that you can talk to about gun crime. Call their helpline on 116 123. They are available 24 hours a day. You can email them, chat online or write them a letter.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SAMARITANS – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about gun crime. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact VICTIM SUPPORT – Victim support is a charity that can help individuals who have been the victim of a crime. They have a free confidential support telephone line and live chat. They are independent of the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR VICTIM SUPPORT – CONTACT US
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
You can read our help guide for where you can reach out to get help if your child is a victim –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHERE CAN YOU REACH OUT TO GET HELP IF YOUR CHILD IS A VICTIM
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has a gun and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.