Disguised Firearms

Any firearm which is disguised as another object is a prohibited weapon – section 5(1A)(a) of the Firearms Act 1968, unlawful possession of which, in the absence of exceptional circumstances, carries a minimum mandatory five year prison sentence.

The exemption from prohibition or certification procedure provided to antique firearms kept as curiosities or ornaments applies, but careful consideration should be given to the true nature of the firearm in question. Is it in fact a disguised firearm, or is it merely of unusual design? There is a common view that any firearm of an unconventional design is “disguised” but it is suggested here that it must be made specifically and intentionally to resemble another object before it can be called disguised.

Two examples of unusual firearms are depicted, one would commonly be referred to as ‘pen gun’ and the other is  often referred to as a ‘key fob pistol’.  Both could possibly be considered to be of unusual design, rather than disguised.  In these examples it is perhaps academic because their dimensions would still cause them to fall within the definition of a prohibited weapon given at section 5(1)(aba) of the 1968 Act, which relates to firearms having barrels less than 30cm in length or  being less than 60cm in length overall.

David W. Dyson
Firearms Consultant
Woodlea
Shepley, Huddersfield
West Yorkshire HD8 8ES

T: 01484 607331
F: 01484 604114
E: david.dyson@firearmsexpert.co.uk