Air weapon licensing in Scotland: guide

Appendix 3: Exemptions from the Requirement to Hold a Certificate

There are a number of exemptions to the requirement to have an air weapons certificate. These are detailed in schedule 1 of the 2015 Act.

Link - Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 - schedule 1

In brief these exemptions include:

• People using air weapons at or in connection with an approved air weapon club
• Registered firearms dealers and their employees
• Auctioneers
• Carriers and warehouse keepers
• Artistic performers engaged in a theatrical performance or rehearsal, or in a cinema, television or similar production
• Members of an approved cadet corps
• Bodies corporate – where an officer of the organisation (eg a director, manager or secretary) holds an AWC in their capacity as such,
• Holders of police permits – issued under section 12 of the 2015 Act
• Holders of visitor permits – issued under section 13 of the 2015 Act
• People using air weapons at authorised events – where an event permit has been issued under section 17 of the 2015 Act
• People using air weapons on private land under the supervision of an AWC holder
• People using air weapons at recreational shooting facilities, such as shooting galleries or combat games venues
• Museums
• Air weapons on ships
• Purchase of air weapons for delivery outwith Scotland
• Loaning of air weapons for exempted purposes
• Public servants carrying out official duties - paragraph 17 of the schedule lists those specific public servants who do not require to have an AWC while engaged in their duties
• Holders of certificates or permits with conditions using, possessing, purchasing or acquiring an air weapon in accordance with one of the exemptions set out above
• People using or possessing air weapons on service premises
• People using or possessing air weapons on Ministry of Defence Police premises

Many of the exemptions listed above will have an equivalent provision within the 1968 Act and other firearms legislation. Police Scotland should refer to the Home Office Guide for further information.