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Updated to 23 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 506 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Firearms Act 1925
No. 17 of 1925

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
Whole Act 1 August 1925 Commenced on enactment

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Act included in collectively cited Firearms Acts 1/1964, s. 29(2)
  20/1968, s. 14(2)
  13/1971, s. 7(2)
  12/1990, s. 3(1)
  20/2000, s. 8(2)
  26/2006, s. 1(4)
  29/2007, s. 1(5)
  28/2009, s. 1(2)
  24/2023, 1(2)
Possession of articles connected with certain offences under collectively cited Firearms Acts also an offence 39/1998, s. 7
Application of collectively cited Firearms Acts extended S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 20
  S.I. No. 362 of 1993, reg. 8
Offences under collectively cited Firearms Acts designated scheduled offences S.I. No. 142 of 1972, art. 2
Application of Act restricted for limited period 1/1964, s. 2(2)
Declaration or consideration of conviction under 16/2012, ss. 1(2), 12(col. cit.)
  31/2011, ss. 2, 3, 4 (col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 318 of 2009, regs. 1(2), 4(col. cit.)
Ext. 1/1964, ss. 2 (1), 5
Onus of proof in prosecutions. 1/1964, s.24
Person convicted under disqualified from holding licence S.I. No. 318 of 2009, regs. 1(2), 3 (col. cit.)
Restricted ammunition prescribed for the purposes of S.I. No. 21 of 2008, arts. 2, 5
Restricted firearms prescribed for the purposes of S.I. No. 21 of 2008, arts. 2, 4
Revocation of taxi licence for offence under 25/2003, s.36 (1) (i)
Saving for 39/1976, ss. 1 (2), 29 (12)
Transfer of certain functions S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 1 reference construed S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 20
S. 1 amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, S. 1(2), ss. 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 1 amended S.I. No. 420 of 2019, regs. 1(3), 10(a)
  1/1964, s.14
  13/1971, s.2
S. 1(1) amended S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 34(a)
  28/2009, ss. 1(3), 25(a)
  28/2009, ss. 1(3), 25(b)
  12/1990, ss. 1(2), (3), 4(1), (2)(a)
S. 1(1) substituted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 26
S. 2 additional storage requirements S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 13
S. 2 provision relating to bail 16/1997, ss. 1, 13 (2), sch., pars. 14, 29, 30 as substituted by 29/2007, s. 17(a)
S. 2 penalty prescribed 31/1927, s. 28
S. 2 amended 1/1964, s.15 (b)
  13/1971, s.3
S. 2 application extended, reference construed 20/2000, ss. 2(15), 8(3)
S. 2(2A) substituted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 27(a)
S. 2(2B) deleted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 27(b)
S. 2(3)(b) amended 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 9(a)
S. 2(3)(ba) inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 9(b)
S. 2(3)(g) amended 1/1964, s.15 (a)
S. 2 (4) amended 20/1968, s.8
S. 2(4)(c) amended 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 27(c)(i)
S. 2(4)(d) substituted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 27(c)(ii)
S. 2(4)(g) substituted 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 26(a)
S. 2(4)(j) substituted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 27(c)(iii)
S. 2(4)(k) inserted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 27(c)(iii).
S. 2(5)(a) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 2(5)(a) amended 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 34(a)
  26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 27(d)
S. 2(5)(c) amended 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 27(e)
S. 2(5)(e) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 2(6) amended 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 26(b)
S. 2(6) inserted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 26, s. 27(f)
S. 2(7) inserted 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 34(b)
S. 2(7) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 2(7) amended S.I. No. 420 of 2019, regs. 1(3), 10(b)
S. 2A additional requirements S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 11
S. 2A inserted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 28
S. 2A duty for certificate under prescribed 11/2007, s. 71
S. 2A(1) amended S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 34(b)
  S.I. No. 420 of 2019, regs. 1(3), 10(c)
S. 2B inserted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 29
S. 2C inserted 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 27
S. 2D inserted S.I. No. 420 of 2019, regs. 1(3), 10(d)
S. 2E inserted S.I. No. 420 of 2019, regs. 1(3), 10(d)
S. 2E(3) amended S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 34(c)
S. 2F inserted S.I. No. 420 of 2019, regs. 1(3), 10(d)
S. 3 license applied for under deemed in certain circumstances to be granted under 39/1976, s. 29 39/1976, s. 29(5) as subst. by 20/2000, s. 4
S. 3 provision relating to bail 16/1997, ss. 1, 13 (2), sch., pars. 14, 29, 30 as substituted by 29/2007, s. 17(a)
S. 3 substituted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 30 as substituted by 28/2009, s. 43
S. 3 amended 1/1964, s.16 (b)
S. 3(1) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 3(1) (2) amended 39/1976, ss. 1 (2), 62
S. 3(2), rep. transit. provns. 20/2000, ss. 7 (1) (a) (2), 8 (3)
S. 3(3) substituted 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 28
S. 3 (3) amended 1/1964, ss. 10, 16 (a)
S. 3(3)(a) number of groups prescribed for purposes of S.I. No. 295 of 2009, regs. 1(2), 3
S. 3(3)(b) continuance of certificates assigned under S.I. No. 295 of 2009, regs. 1(2), 7, 8 and sch.
S. 3(3)(c) continuance of certificates assigned under S.I. No. 295 of 2009, regs. 1(2), 6
S. 3 (5) rep. 1/1964, s.28 (1)
S. 3A s. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 31
S. 3A substit. 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 29
Ss. 3B - 3D inserted 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 30
S. 3B functions transferred S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 3B firearms certificate prescribed for the purposes of S.I. No. 311 of 2009, regs. 1(2), 3
S. 3C functions transferred S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 3DA inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 10
S. 3E s. ins. 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 31
S. 4 substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 32
S. 4, applic. rstrct. 32/1998, ss. 1, 4 (4) (5)
S. 4A s. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 33
S. 4A fee/duty for authorisation under prescribed S.I. No. 312 of 2009, regs. 1(2), 3 and sch.
  11/2007, s. 70
S. 4A(12) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26 sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 4A(18) provision relating to bail 16/1997, ss. 1, 13 (2), sch., pars. 14, 29, 30 as substituted by 29/2007, s. 17(a)
S. 4A(20A) inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 11
S. 4AA inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 12
S. 4B s. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 34
S. 4B(2)(a) am. 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 32
S. 4B(2)(b) amended 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 13
S. 4B(6) functions transferred S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 4C s. ins. 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 33
S. 4C(2A) inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 14
S. 5 substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 35
S. 5(3) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 5A s. ins. 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 34
S. 6 am. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 36(a)
S. 6, s. 1/1964, s.8
S. 6, applic. of. 39/1976, ss. 1 (2), 75 (2)
S. 6(a) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 6(a) am. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 36(b)
S. 8, applic. rstrct. 32/1998, ss. 1, 4 (4) (5)
S. 8(1) am. 1/1964, s.17 (b)
S. 8(1)(a) am. 1/1964, s.17 (a)
S. 8(1)(d) substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 37
S. 8(1)(e) substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 37
S. 8(1)(f) substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 37
S. 8(1)(g) del. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 37
S. 9 additional registration requirements S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 3
S. 9 fee for registration under prescribed S.I. No. 312 of 2009, regs. 1(2), 3 and sch.
S. 9 procedure for registration under prescribed S.I. No. 493 of 2010, regs. 1(3), 4
S. 9(3) am. 1/1964, s.18
S. 9(3) references construed S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 3(3)
S. 9(3), constr. of refs. am. S. I. No. 362 of 1993, art. 3 (1)
S. 9(4) substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 38(a)
S. 9(8) fee for grant of ammunition-only firearms dealer prescribed S.I. No. 312 of 2009, reg. 3 and Schedule
S. 9(8) subsec. ins. 13/1971, s.6 (1)
S. 9(9) subsec. ins. 13/1971, s.6 (1)
S. 9(10) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 38(b)
S. 9(11) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 38(b)
S. 9(12) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 38(b)
S. 9(13) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 38(b)
S. 9A s. ins. 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 35
S. 10 duty for authorisation under prescribed 11/2007, s. 72
S. 10 application extended  20/2000, ss. 2 (15), 8 (3)
S. 10 amended 1/1964, ss. 13 (1), 19 (b)
S. 10(1), non-applic. of. 20/1968, s.7
S. 10(1A) inserted S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 34(d)
S. 10(2) am. 1/1964, s.19 (a)
S. 10(3)(b) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 10(3A) inserted 12/1990, ss. 1 (2) (3), 5
S. 10(3A)(a) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 10(4A) fee for authorisation under prescribed S.I. No. 312 of 2009, regs. 1(2), 3 and sch.
S. 10(4A) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 39
S. 10(4B) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 39
S. 10(4C) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 39
S. 10(4D) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 39
S. 10(4E) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 39
S. 10(4F) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 39
S. 10(4G) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 39
S. 10(6)(b) am. 1/1964, s.19 (c)
S. 10(7) subsec. ins. 13/1971, s.6 (2)
S. 10A s. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 40
S. 10A duty for licence under prescribed 11/2007, s. 72
S. 10A provision relating to bail 16/1997, ss. 1, 13 (2), sch., pars. 14, 29, 30 as substituted by 29/2007, s. 17(a)
S. 11(2)(d) substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 41(a)
S. 11(2A) applied with modification S.I. No. 493 of 2010, regs. 1(3), 4(5)
S. 11(2A) subsec. ins. 13/1971, s.6 (3)
S. 11(3) substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 41(b)
S. 11(3)(b) compliance with deemed S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 4(3)
S. 11(4) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2) s. 41(b).
S. 12 additional requirements S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 4(1), (2)
S. 12 application extended S. I. No. 362 of 1993, art. 3 (2)
S. 12(4) am. 12/1990, s. 8A as inserted by 26/2006, s. 64 and sch. 1
S. 12(5) am. 12/1990, s. 8A as inserted by 26/2006, s. 64 and sch. 1
S. 13(2) am. 12/1990, s. 8A as inserted by 26/2006, s. 64 and sch. 1
S. 14 rep., conseq. provn. 1/1964, s.28 (1) (2)
S. 14A inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 15
S. 15 offences under designated scheduled offences 27/2010, s. 7 and sch.
S. 15 minimum sentence prescribed for certain offences under 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 25 and sch. 2, no. 4
S. 15 monitoring or protection of persons order may be made 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 26 and sch. 2, no. 4
S. 15 powers and periods of detention prescribed 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 50
S. 15 substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 42
S. 15 am. 14/1976, ss. 21 (4), 22 (2)
  22/1984, ss. 1 (1) (3), 14 (1)
  39/1998, s.15 (1)
S. 15, applic. of. 13/1971, s.4
S. 15, ext. to offences committed in N.I. 14/1976, ss. 2, 22 (2), sch.
S. 15 Court approval for exercise of powers where acquittal 27/2010, ss. 1(2), 7, 15- 18 and schedule
S. 15 re-trial procedure for offence under 27/2010, ss. 1(2), 7-14 and Schedule
S. 15, provn. relating to bail. 16/1997, ss. 1, 13 (2), sch., pars. 14, 29, 30
S. 15(2)(a) deleted with retrospective application 36/2021, ss. 4(a), 10, 11(2)
S. 15(4A) subsec. ins. 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 35(a)
S. 15(5) am. 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 35(b)
S. 15(7), (8) deleted with retrospective application 36/2021, ss. 4(b), 10, 11(2)
S. 15(9) amended with retrospective application 36/2021, ss. 4(c), 10, 11(2)
S. 15A s. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 43
S. 16 application extended 20/2000, ss. 2 (15), 8 (3)
S. 16(1) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 16(4) am. 1/1964, s.20
S. 17 substit. 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 36
S. 17 ext. to Customs-free Airport. S. I. No. 186 of 1962
S. 17 application restricted 1/1964, s.21 (1)
S. 17(2) rep., conseq. provn. 1/1964, s.28 (1) (3)
S. 17(3) (4) am. 1/1964, s.21 (2)
S. 17(4A) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 44
S. 17(4B) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 44
S. 17(4C) subsec. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 44
S. 19 am. 21/2011, s. 5 & sch. 2
S. 19 am. 24/1983, s.8 (1), sch. 4, pt. 1
S. 20 rep. 31/1964, s.6, sch. 1
S. 21 am. 1/1964, s.22
S. 21(2) am. 20/1968, s.9
S. 21(4) am. 12/1990, s. 8A as inserted by 26/2006, s. 64 and sch. 1
S. 21(6)(a) amended S.I. No. 209 of 2022, reg. 34(e)
  S.I. No. 420 of 20219, reg. 10(e)
S. 22 application extended 20/2000, ss. 2 (15), 8 (3)
S. 22(2) am. 12/1990, s. 8A as inserted by 26/2006, s. 64 and sch. 1
S. 23 application extended 20/2000, ss. 2 (15), 8 (3)
S. 23(1) amended 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 16
S. 23(2) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 15, 26, sch. 1 ref. 3
S. 24(1) substituted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 17(a)
S. 24(1A), (1B), (1C) inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 17(a)
S. 24(2) amended 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 17(b)
  1/1964, s.23
S. 24(3) amended 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 17(c)
S. 24(4)-(6) inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 17(d)
S. 25 provision relating to bail 16/1997, ss. 1, 13 (2), sch., pars. 14, 29, 30 as subst. by 29/2007, s. 17(a)
S. 25 substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 45
S. 25A s. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 46
S. 25A period specified S.I No. 451 of 2006, art. 2
S. 25B s. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 47
S. 25C s. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 48
S. 25CA inserted 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 6
S. 25D s. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 49
S. 26A inserted 24/2023, ss. 1(5), 18
S. 27 functions transferred S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 27 substit. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 50
S. 27A s. ins. 26/2006, ss. 1(2), s. 51
S. 27B inserted 7/2018, ss. 1(3), 167

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 2(2B) Firearms (Dangerous Weapons) Order 1972 (S.I. No. 251 of 1972)
S. 2B Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) (Amendment) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 391 of 2015)
  Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 337 of 2009)
  Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 21 of 2008)
S. 4(5) Firearms (Secure Accommodation) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 307 of 2009)
S. 4A Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 312 of 2009)
  Firearms (Authorisation of Rifle Or Pistol Clubs) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 308 of 2009)
S. 4A(13) Firearms (Authorisation of Rifle or Pistol Shooting Ranges) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 622 of 2011)
S. 9 Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 312 of 2009)
S. 9(10) Firearms (Storage of Firearms and Ammunition by Firearms Dealers) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 646 of 2017)
S. 10(4A) Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 312 of 2009)
S. 25A Firearms Act 1925 (Surrender of Firearms and Offensive Weapons) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 451 of 2006)
S. 27 Firearms (Authorisation of Rifle or Pistol Shooting Ranges) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 622 of 2011)
  Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 312 of 2009)
  Firearms Act 1925 (Prescribed Firearm Certificates) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 311 of 2009)
  Firearms Acts 1925 To 2009 (Firearm Certificate) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 295 of 2009)
S. 27(1) Firearms Regulations 1976 (S.I. No. 239 of 1976)