Sentencing in Firearms Offences - An Introduction to the New Guidelines

Introduction

On 1 January 2021, new sentencing guidelines came into force concerning offences under the Firearms Act 1968.

No fewer than 8 new guidelines came into force, spanning the full spectrum of offending: from simple possession and purchasing, to the manufacturing and selling of firearms.

This webinar will examine the minimum sentencing provisions under s. 311 and schedule 20 of the Sentencing Code and what the guidelines say about ‘exceptional circumstances’; how the issue of credit is dealt with in minimum sentencing cases, and the relevance of matters such as age and the nature of the charge - e.g. conspiracy.

What You Will Learn

• Possession cases - determining the offence category: from offences capable of killing more than one person at the same time or in rapid succession to weapons not designed to be lethal
• Offences committed in consequence of having no certificate or previous convictions
• Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, cause fear of violence or resist arrest
• Use of firearm of imitation firearm with intent to commit a schedule 1 offence

This webinar was recorded on 29th June 2021