News type:
News

News topic:
Firearms offences

Published on:

24 November 2021

The Council has published a new guideline for sentencing offenders convicted of firearms importation offences in England and Wales, following consultation.

The guideline will ensure a consistent approach is taken to sentencing firearms importation offences and will make the sentencing process more transparent and easy to understand for victims, witnesses, defendants and the public.

The guideline covers importation of firearms and ammunition under two Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 offences – improper importation of goods and fraudulent evasion of prohibition/restriction. It applies to adult offenders sentenced in magistrates’ court or the Crown Court on or after 1 January 2022.