48.—(1) The [F1appropriate authority] may by order prohibit the removal of any firearms or ammunition from one place to another in Northern Ireland unless the removal is authorised by the Chief Constable and unless such other conditions as may be specified in the order are complied with.
(2) The [F1appropriate authority] may by order prohibit the removal of any firearms or ammunition—
(a)from Northern Ireland to Great Britain; or
(b)for export from Northern Ireland,
unless the removal is authorised by the Chief Constable and unless such other conditions as may be specified in the order are complied with.
(3) An order under this Article may apply—
(a)either generally to all such removals or to removals from and to particular localities specified in the order; and
(b)either to all firearms and ammunition or to firearms and ammunition of such classes and descriptions as may be so specified; and
(c)either to all modes of conveyance or to such modes of conveyance as may be so specified,
but no such order shall prohibit the holder of a firearm certificate from carrying with him any firearms or ammunition authorised by the certificate to be so carried.
(4) It is an offence to contravene any of the provisions of an order made under this Article or of an order under section 6 of the Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27) prohibiting the removal of firearms or ammunition from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
[F2(5) In this Article “the appropriate authority” means—
(a)in relation to prohibited weapons and prohibited ammunition, the Secretary of State;
(b)in relation to any other firearms or ammunition, the Department of Justice.]
F1Words in art. 48(1)(2) substituted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), arts. 1(2), 9, Sch. 11 para. 4(2) (with arts. 28-31); S.I. 2010/977, art. 1(2)