Underage sales

Air weapons

It is an offence for you to sell or supply an air weapon to a person under the age of 18 years, It is also an offence for a person under the age of 18 years to have an air weapon in a public place unless it is securely fastened in a gun cover in such a way that it cannot be fired.

It is an offence to make a gift of an air weapon to a person under 14 years of age.

The penalty for selling or hiring an air weapon to a person under the age of 18 years is up to 6 months imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 or both.

Crossbows

It is an offence for you to sell or hire a crossbow to a person under the age of 18 years. The maximum penalty on summary conviction is 6 months imprisonment or a fine of £5,000 or both.

Knives

It is illegal to sell the following items to anyone under 18-years-old:

• Any knife, knife blade or razor blade
• Any axe
• Any article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed, and which is made or adapted for causing injury to the person

The prohibition does not apply to:

• A folding pocket knife with a blade of less than three inches (7.62cm); or
• A razor blade permanently held in a cartridge or similar housing where less than 2mm of the blade is exposed

The prohibition is not intended to apply to articles such as scissors or compasses.

The maximum penalty on summary conviction is 6 months imprisonment or a fine of £5,000 or both.