(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order brings into force those provisions of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 which were not brought into force by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (Commencement No. 1) Order 1988 (S.I. 1988/2209). Subject to certain transitional provisions made by the Order, the provisions specified in Part I of the Schedule are brought into force on 1st July 1989 and the provisions specified in Part II of the Schedule are brought into force on 1st October 1989.
Article 4 postpones the coming into force of the provisions whose effect is to require a firearm certificate in respect of certain smooth-bore guns so that persons who, immediately before 1st July 1989, lawfully possess such guns by virtue of a shot gun certificate may continue so to possess them until 1st February 1990. Article 5 provides that the provision requiring a shot gun certificate to describe the guns to which it relates shall not have effect, in relation to a certificate granted or renewed before 1st July 1989, during the period for which the certificate was so granted or renewed. Article 6 provides that the provision requiring notification of transfers of shot guns shall not have effect, in relation to a transfer to or from a person whose certificate was granted or renewed before 1st July 1989, during the period for which the certificate was so granted or renewed. Article 7 provides for the amendment of section 6 of the Firearms Act 1968 (control of movement of firearms and ammunition between Great Britain and Northern Ireland) to come into force on 1st July 1989 for the purpose of enabling an order to be made, under the amended provision, to come into force on 1st October 1989. Article 8 postpones until 31st October 1989 the repeal of the exemption in section 14 of the Firearms Act 1968 (from the requirement to hold a shot gun certificate), for persons temporarily in Great Britain, but only in respect of those who are already in Great Britain on 1st October 1989.