Gun - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition gun

Definition :

Gun. The Gun Licence Act, 1870 (33 & 34 Vict. c. 57), in which 'gun' includes a firearm of any descrip-tion and an air-gun or any other kind of gun from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged,' grants to the Crown 'for every licence to be taken out yearly by every person who shall use or carry a gun in the United Kingdom the sum of 10s.' By s. 6 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1883, licences expire on July 31st after date. Licences are registered by the inland revenue officers who grant them, and must be produced to such officers on demand. For using a gun without licence except in a dwelling-house, the fine is 10l., but there are six exemptions, being of (1) persons in the naval, military, or volunteer service in discharge of their duty; (2) licensees to kill game; (3) persons carrying such licensee's gun, by his order and for his use, and giving his name and address as well as his own on request of inland revenue officer or constable, or owner or occupier of land on which the gun is used; (4) occupier of land for scaring birds or killing vermin, or persons using gun by order of an occupier who has a game licence; (5) gunsmiths or their servants in the course of trade or testing, and (6) common carriers carrying guns as such. See FIREARMS; STREET OFFENCES.